Browsing by Author "Salvi, Prafull"

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Arabidopsis Protein L-Isoaspartyl Methyltransferase repairs isoaspartyl damage to antioxidant enzymes and increases heat and oxidative stress tolerance
(American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020) Ghosh, Shraboni; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Verma, Pooja; Salvi, Prafull; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Roy, Shweta; Rao, Venkateswara; Hazra, Abhijit; Varshney, Vishal; Kaur, Harmeet; Majee, Manoj
Stressful environments accelerate the formation of isoaspartyl (isoAsp) residues in proteins, which detrimentally affect protein structure and function. The enzyme Protein L-Isoaspartyl Methyltransferase (PIMT) repairs other proteins by reverting deleterious isoAsp residues to functional aspartyl residues. PIMT function previously has been elucidated in seeds, but its role in plant survival under stress conditions remains undefined. Herein, we used molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches, including protein overexpression and knockdown experiments, in Arabidopsis to investigate the role of PIMTs in plant growth and survival during heat and oxidative stresses. We demonstrate that these stresses increase isoAsp accumulation in plant proteins, that PIMT activity is essential for restricting isoAsp accumulation, and that both PIMT1 and PIMT2 play an important role in this restriction and Arabidopsis growth and survival. Moreover, we show that PIMT improves stress tolerance by facilitating efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and thereby protecting the functionality of antioxidant enzymes from isoAsp-mediated damage during stress. Specifically, biochemical and MS/MS analyses revealed that antioxidant enzymes acquire deleterious isoAsp residues during stress, which adversely affect their catalytic activities, and that PIMT repairs the isoAsp residues and thereby restores antioxidant enzyme function. Collectively, our results suggest that the PIMT-mediated protein repair system is an integral part of the stress tolerance mechanism in plants, in which PIMTs protect antioxidant enzymes that maintain proper ROS homeostasis against isoAsp-mediated damage in stressful environments.
Arabidopsis SKP1-like protein 13 (ASK13) positively regulates seed germination and seedling growth under abiotic stresses
(Oxford University Press, 2018) Rao, Venkateswara; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Verma, Pooja; Salvi, Prafull; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Ghosh, Sharboni; Kaur, Harmeet; Saxena, Saurabh C; Majee, Manoj
SKP1 (S-Phase Kinase Associated Protein1) proteins are key members of the SCF (SKP-Cullin-F-box protein) E3 ligase complexes that ubiquitinate the target proteins and play diverse roles in plant biology. However, as compared to other members of the SCF complex, study of SKP1-like proteins is very limited in plants. In the present work, we report that Arabidopsis SKP1-like protein13 (ASK13) is differentially regulated in different organs, during seed development and germination, and is upregulated in response to abiotic stresses. Y2H library screening and subsequent in vivo interaction through BiFC analysis revealed that ASK13 not only interacts with F-box proteins but also with other proteins which are not components of SCF complexes. Biochemical analysis revealed that ASK13 not only exists as a monomer but also as a homo-oligomer or heteromer with other ASK proteins. Functional analysis using ASK13 overexpression and knockdown lines revealed that ASK13 positively influences seed germination and seedling growth particularly under abiotic stresses. Taken together, our data strongly suggests that apart from participation to form SCF complexes, ASK13 interacts with several other proteins and is implicated in different cellular processes distinct from protein degradation. Overall, ASK13 positively regulates seed germination and seedling growth particularly under abiotic stress conditions.
A conserved NAG motif is critical to the catalytic activity of galactinol synthase, a key regulatory enzyme of RFO biosynthesis
(Portland Press, 2021) Salvi, Prafull; Kumar, Bhavnesh; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Hazra, Abhijit; Majee, Manoj
Galactinol synthase (GolS) catalyzes the key regulatory step in the biosynthesis of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides (RFOs). Even though the physiological role and regulation of this enzyme has been well studied, little is known about active site amino acids and the structure-function relationship with substrates of this enzyme. In the present study, we investigate the active site amino acid and structure function relationship for this enzyme. Using a combination of three-dimensional homology modelling, molecular docking along with a series of deletion, site directed mutagenesis followed by in vitro biochemical and in vivo functional analysis; we have studied active site amino acids and their interaction with the substrate of chickpea and Arabidopsis GolS enzyme. Our study reveals that the GolS protein possesses GT8 family-specific several conserved motifs in which NAG motif plays a crucial role in substrate binding and catalytic activity of this enzyme. Deletion of entire NAG motif or deletion or the substitution (with alanine) of any residues of this motif results in complete loss of catalytic activity in in vitro condition. Furthermore, disruption of NAG motif of CaGolS1 enzyme disrupts it’s in vivo cellular function in yeast as well as in planta. Together, our study offers a new insight into the active site amino acids and their substrate interaction for the catalytic activity of GolS enzyme. We demonstrate that NAG motif plays a vital role in substrate binding for the catalytic activity of galactinol synthase that affects overall RFO synthesis.
Deciphering the structural basis of the broad substrate specificity of myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMP) from Cicer arietinum
(Elsevier B.V., 2020) Yadav, Prakarsh K.; Salvi, Prafull; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Majee, Manoj; Saxena, Saurabh C.
Myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMP) is a crucial enzyme in the inositol biosynthetic pathway that dephosphorylates myo-inositol 1-phosphate and other inositol phosphate derivative compounds to maintain the homeostasis of cellular inositol pool. In our previous research, we have biochemically and functionally characterized IMP enzyme from chickpea (CaIMP), which was able to catalyze diverse substrates. We cloned, overexpressed recombinant CaIMP protein and purified it and further characterized the CaIMP with its three main substrates viz. galactose 1-P, inositol 6-P and fructose 1,6-bisP. Homology model of CaIMP was generated to elucidate the factors contributing to the broad substrate specificity of the protein. The active site of the CaIMP protein was analysed with respect to its interactions with the proposed substrates. Structural features such as, high B-factor and flexible loop regions in the active site, inspired further investigation into the static and dynamic behaviour of the active site of CaIMP protein. The electrostatic biding of each of the key substrates was assessed through molecular docking. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations showed that these interactions indeed were stable for extended periods of time under physiological conditions. These experiments conclusively allowed us to establish the primary factors contributing to the promiscuity in substrate binding by CaIMP protein.
Differentially expressed galactinol synthase(s) in chickpea are implicated in seed vigor and longevity by limiting the age induced ROS accumulation
(Nature Publishing Group, 2016) Salvi, Prafull; Saxena, Saurabh Chandra; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Kaur, Harmeet; Verma, Pooja; Rao, Venkateswara; Ghosh, Shraboni; Majee, Manoj
Galactinol synthase (GolS) catalyzes the first and rate limiting step of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide (RFO) biosynthetic pathway, which is a highly specialized metabolic event in plants. Increased accumulation of galactinol and RFOs in seeds have been reported in few plant species, however their precise role in seed vigor and longevity remain elusive. In present study, we have shown that galactinol synthase activity as well as galactinol and raffinose content progressively increase as seed development proceeds and become highly abundant in pod and mature dry seeds, which gradually decline as seed germination progresses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Furthermore, artificial aging also stimulates galactinol synthase activity and consequent galactinol and raffinose accumulation in seed. Molecular analysis revealed that GolS in chickpea are encoded by two divergent genes (CaGolS1 and CaGolS2) which potentially encode five CaGolS isoforms through alternative splicing. Biochemical analysis showed that only two isoforms (CaGolS1 and CaGolS2) are biochemically active with similar yet distinct biochemical properties. CaGolS1 and CaGolS2 are differentially regulated in different organs, during seed development and germination however exhibit similar subcellular localization. Furthermore, seed-specific overexpression of CaGolS1 and CaGolS2 in Arabidopsis results improved seed vigor and longevity through limiting the age induced excess ROS and consequent lipid peroxidation.
Differentially expressed myo-inositol monophosphatase gene (CaIMP) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) encodes a lithium-sensitive phosphatase enzyme with broad substrate specificity and improves seed germination and seedling growth under abiotic stresses
(Oxford University Press, 2013) Saxena, Saurabh C.; Salvi, Prafull; Kaur, Harmeet; Verma, Pooja; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Rao, Venkateswara; Kamble, Nitin; Majee, Manoj
myo-Inositol monophosphatase (IMP) is an essential enzyme in the myo-inositol metabolic pathway where it primarily dephosphorylates myo-inositol 1-phosphate to maintain the cellular inositol pool which is important for many metabolic and signalling pathways in plants. The stress-induced increased accumulation of inositol has been reported in a few plants including chickpea; however, the role and regulation of IMP is not well defined in response to stress. In this work, it has been shown that IMP activity is distributed in all organs in chickpea and was noticeably enhanced during environmental stresses. Subsequently, using degenerate oligonucleotides and RACE strategy, a full-length IMP cDNA (CaIMP) was cloned and sequenced. Biochemical study revealed that CaIMP encodes a lithium-sensitive phosphatase enzyme with broad substrate specificity, although maximum activity was observed with the myo-inositol 1-phosphate and l-galactose 1-phosphate substrates. Transcript analysis revealed that CaIMP is differentially expressed and regulated in different organs, stresses and phytohormones. Complementation analysis in Arabidopsis further confirmed the role of CaIMP in l-galactose 1-phosphate and myo-inositol 1-phosphate hydrolysis and its participation in myo-inositol and ascorbate biosynthesis. Moreover, Arabidopsis transgenic plants over-expressing CaIMP exhibited improved tolerance to stress during seed germination and seedling growth, while the VTC4/IMP loss-of-function mutants exhibited sensitivity to stress. Collectively, CaIMP links various metabolic pathways and plays an important role in improving seed germination and seedling growth, particularly under stressful environments.
Differentially expressed seed aging responsive heat shock protein OsHSP18.2 implicates in seed vigor, longevity and improves germination and seedling establishment under abiotic stress
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2015) Kaur, Harmeet; Petla, Bhanu P.; Kamble, Nitin U.; Singh, Ajeet; Rao, Venkateswara; Salvi, Prafull; Ghosh, Shraboni; Majee, Manoj
Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are a diverse group of proteins and are highly abundant in plant species. Although majority of these sHSPs were shown to express specifically in seed, their potential function in seed physiology remains to be fully explored. Our proteomic analysis revealed that OsHSP18.2, a class II cytosolic HSP is an aging responsive protein as its abundance significantly increased after artificial aging in rice seeds. OsHSP18.2 transcript was found to markedly increase at the late maturation stage being highly abundant in dry seeds and sharply decreased after germination. Our biochemical study clearly demonstrated that OsHSP18.2 forms homooligomeric complex and is dodecameric in nature and functions as a molecular chaperone. OsHSP18.2 displayed chaperone activity as it was effective in preventing thermal inactivation of Citrate Synthase. Further, to analyze the function of this protein in seed physiology, seed specific Arabidopsis overexpression lines for OsHSP18.2 were generated. Our subsequent functional analysis clearly demonstrated that OsHSP18.2 has ability to improve seed vigor and longevity by reducing deleterious ROS accumulation in seeds. In addition, transformed Arabidopsis seeds also displayed better performance in germination and cotyledon emergence under adverse conditions. Collectively, our work demonstrates that OsHSP18.2 is an aging responsive protein which functions as a molecular chaperone and possibly protect and stabilize the cellular proteins from irreversible damage particularly during maturation drying, desiccation and aging in seeds by restricting ROS accumulation and thereby improves seed vigor, longevity and seedling establishment.
Ectopic over-expression of ABA-responsive Chickpea galactinol synthase (CaGolS) gene results in improved tolerance to dehydration stress by modulating ROS scavenging
(Elsevier B.V., 2020) Salvi, Prafull; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Majee, Manoj
Galactinol synthase (EC: 2.4.1.123) is a crucial enzyme of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO’s) biosynthesis, essentially catalyzes the first crucial step in the raffinose biosynthetic pathway. Galactinol and raffinose accumulation along with its higher homologs such as stachyose and verbascose has been considered to participate in plant abiotic stress tolerance. Previously, we reported the function of chickpea galactinol synthase (CaGolS) genes in seed vigor and heat and oxidative stress tolerance. Here, we demonstrate the role and regulation of CaGolS in response to dehydration stress in chickpea. Through transcript accumulation and promoter-gus analyses, we demonstrate that the expression of CaGolS1 and CaGolS2 are positively influenced by dehydration stress and ABA treatment. Further, we have shown that the level of galactinol and raffinose are remarkably enhanced in response to dehydration stress and ABA. Utilizing CaGolS1 and CaGolS2 over-expression Arabidopsis lines, we demonstrate the role of CaGolS in dehydration stress tolerance. The biochemical and physiological analysis revealed that CaGolS over-expressing transgenic lines exhibited improved phenotype with respect to higher number of siliques, plant height, and rosette diameter under dehydration stress. The improved dehydration stress tolerance was corelated with higher chlorophyll retention and relative water content of transgenic lines. Further, lower H2O2, MDA content, and ion-leakage in transgenic lines suggest that CaGolS mediates dehydration stress tolerance by protecting the membrane damage from ROS attack. Collectively, our data highlight the prospect of CaGolS genes in improving dehydration stress tolerance in plants.
Ectopic overexpression of cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase gene (Apx1) improves salinity stress tolerance in Brassica juncea by strengthening antioxidative defense mechanism
(Springer Nature, 2020) Saxena, Saurabh C.; Salvi, Prafull; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Joshi, Pankaj K.; Majee, Manoj; Arora, Sandeep
Salinity stress is considered to be a key constrain that reduces the crop productivity by impairing plant growth and development. During salt stress condition, an underlying mechanism for reduction in crop yield is increase in ROS level that can potentially harm cellular macromolecules, leading to disruption of essential physiological and biochemical processes. Plants possess a complex antioxidative defense machinery for scavenging these ROS. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX, E.C. 1.11.1.11), is a crucial antioxidant enzyme involved in Ascorbate–Glutathione pathway that primarily detoxifies the negative impact of H2O2 in cell. The efficient scavenging of H2O2 is a prerequisite for enhanced tolerance to salinity stress. Here, we have inspected whether over-expression of APX could provide protection against salinity stress. Cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (Apx1) gene, isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana, was chosen as the candidate gene for strengthening the antioxidative defense system of Brassica juncea. Physiological parameters were employed to analyze the growth status of transgenic plants. Leaf disc assay was done to evaluate the salinity stress tolerance potential of transgenic plants, using several physiological and biochemical parameters. Under salinity stress, the transgenic plants performed well as compared to their non-transgenic counterparts; as revealed through greater proline accumulation, increased chlorophyll stability index, lower chlorophyll a/b ratio, and higher antioxidative enzyme activities. Further, the lower H2O2 levels were well correlated with lesser membrane damage as measured through MDA content. Collectively, our results clearly depicted that ectopic overexpression of AtApx1 gene was able to confer salinity stress tolerance by strengthening the antioxidative defense system in B. juncea.
Meta-analysis of transcriptomics studies identifies novel attributes and set of genes involved in iron homeostasis in rice
(Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2023) Shekhawat, Pooja Kanwar; Sardar, Shaswati; Yadav, Banita; Salvi, Prafull; Soni, Praveen; Ram, Hasthi
Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient for humans as well as for plant growth and development. Rice employs multiple mechanisms to counteract the negative effects of Fe deficiency and Fe toxicity. Previously, many transcriptomics studies have identified hundreds of genes affected by Fe deficiency and/or Fe toxicity. These studies are highly valuable to identify novel genes involved in Fe homeostasis. However, in the absence of their systematic integration, they remain underutilized. A systematic meta-analysis of transcriptomics data from such ten previous studies was performed here to identify various common attributes. From this meta-analysis, it is revealed that under Fe deficiency conditions, root transcriptome is more sensitive and exhibits greater similarity across multiple studies than the shoot transcriptome. Furthermore, under Fe toxicity conditions, upregulated genes are more reliable and consistent than downregulated genes in susceptible cultivars. The integration of data from Fe deficiency and Fe toxicity conditions helped to identify key marker genes for Fe stress. As a proof-of-concept of the analysis, among the genes consistently regulated in opposite directions under Fe deficiency and toxicity conditions, two genes were selected: a proton-dependent oligopeptide transporter (POT) family protein and Vacuolar Iron Transporter (VIT)-Like (VTL) gene, and validated their expression and sub-cellular localization. Since VIT genes are known to play an important role in Fe homeostasis in plants, the entire OsVTL gene family in rice was characterized. This meta-analysis has identified many novel candidate genes that exhibit consistent expression patterns across multiple tissues, conditions, and studies. This makes them potential targets for future research aimed at developing Fe-biofortified rice varieties, as well as varieties tolerant to sub-optimal Fe levels in soil.
Molecular cloning, in-silico characterization and functional validation of monodehydroascorbate reductase gene in Eleusine coracana
(PLOS, 2017) Negi, Bhawana; Salvi, Prafull; Bhatt, Deepesh; Majee, Manoj; Arora, Sandeep
Ascorbic acid is a ubiquitous water soluble antioxidant that plays a critical role in plant growth and environmental stress tolerance. It acts as a free radical scavenger as well as a source of reducing power for several cellular processes. Because of its pivotal role in regulating plant growth under optimal as well as sub-optimal conditions, it becomes obligatory for plants to maintain a pool of reduced ascorbic acid. Several cellular processes help in maintaining the reduced ascorbic acid pool, by regulating its synthesis and regeneration processes. Current study demonstrates that monodehydroascorbate reductase is an important enzyme responsible for maintaining the reduced ascorbate pool, by optimizing the recycling of oxidized ascorbate. Cloning and functional characterization of this important stress inducible gene is of great significance for its imperative use in plant stress management. Therefore, we have cloned and functionally validated the role of monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (mdar) from a drought tolerant variety of Eleusine coracana. The cloned Ecmdar gene comprises of 1437bp CDS, encoding a 478 amino acid long polypeptide. The active site analysis showed presence of conserved Tyr348 residue, facilitating the catalytic activity in electron transfer mechanism. qPCR expression profiling of Ecmdar under stress indicated that it is an early responsive gene. The analysis of Ecmdar overexpressing Arabidopsis transgenic lines suggests that monodehydroascorbate reductase acts as a key stress regulator by modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes to strengthen the ROS scavenging ability and maintains ROS homeostasis. Thus, it is evident that Ecmdar is an important gene for cellular homeostasis and its over-expression could be successfully used to strengthen stress tolerance in crop plants.
PROTEIN L-ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE protects enolase dysfunction by repairing isoaspartyl-induced damage and is positively implicated in agronomically important seed traits
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024) Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Ghosh, Shraboni; Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Achary, Rakesh Kumar; Gautam, Shikha; Rao, Venkateswara; Salvi, Prafull; Hazra, Abhijit; Varshney, Vishal; Majee, Manoj
The protein-repairing enzyme (PRE) PROTEIN L-ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE (PIMT) influences seed vigor by repairing isoaspartyl-mediated protein damage in seeds. However, PIMTs function in other seed traits, and the mechanisms by which PIMT affects such seed traits are still poorly understood. Herein, through molecular, biochemical, and genetic studies using overexpression and RNAi lines in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana, we demonstrate that PIMT not only affects seed vigor but also affects seed size and weight by modulating enolase (ENO) activity. We have identified ENO2, a glycolytic enzyme, as a PIMT interacting protein through Y2H cDNA library screening, and this interaction was further validated by BiFC and co-immunoprecipitation assay. We show that mutation or suppression of ENO2 expression results in reduced seed vigor, seed size, and weight. We also proved that ENO2 undergoes isoAsp modification that affects its activity in both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Further, using MS/MS analyses, amino acid residues that undergo isoAsp modification in ENO2 were identified. We also demonstrate that PIMT repairs such isoAsp modification in ENO2 protein, protecting its vital cellular functions during seed maturation and storage, and plays a vital role in regulating seed size, weight, and seed vigor. Taken together, our study identified ENO2 as a novel substrate of PIMT, and both ENO2 and PIMT in turn implicate in agronomically important seed traits.
Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides (RFOs): Role in seed vigor and longevity
(Portland Press, 2022) Salvi, Prafull; Varshney, Vishal; Majee, Manoj
Seed vigor and longevity are important agronomic attributes, as they are essentially associated with crop yield and thus the global economy. Seed longevity is a measure of seed viability and the most essential property in gene bank management since it affects regeneration of seed recycling. Reduced seed life or storability is a serious issue in seed storage since germplasm conservation and agricultural enhancement initiatives rely on it. The irreversible and ongoing process of seed deterioration comprises a complex gene regulatory network and altered metabolism that results in membrane damage, DNA integrity loss, mitochondrial dysregulation, protein damage, and disrupted antioxidative machinery. Carbohydrates and/or sugars, primarily RFOs, have emerged as feasible components for boosting or increasing seed vigor and longevity in recent years. RFOs are known to perform diverse functions in plants, including abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, besides being involved in regulating seed germination, desiccation tolerance, vigor, and longevity. We emphasised and analysed the potential impact of RFOs on seed vigor and longevity in this review. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the molecular mechanisms involved in seed longevity, RFO metabolism, and how RFO content is critical and linked with seed vigor and longevity. Further molecular basis, biotechnological approaches, and CRISPR/Cas applications have been discussed briefly for the improvement of seed attributes and ultimately crop production. Likewise, we suggest advancements, challenges, and future possibilities in this area.
Regulation of metalloid uptake in plants by transporters and their solute specificity
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Sharma, Yogesh; Soni, Praveen; Raturi, Gaurav; Mandlik, Rushil; Rachappanavar, Vinay Kumar; Kumar, Manish; Salvi, Prafull; Tripathi, Durgesh Kumar; Ram, Hasthi; Deshmukh, Rupesh
Metalloids are a class of elements having properties like metals and non-metals which act as beneficial as well as hazardous for plant growth. Here, the precise role and molecular mechanism involved in the uptake and transport of different metalloids to different plant tissues is discussed. We have also described the efforts made to engineer the metalloid transport i.e. influx/efflux of metalloids that improve the uptake of beneficial metalloids and reduce hazardous metalloids. Metalloids like boron (B) and silicon (Si) play a beneficial role in plant growth and development. Optimum levels of these metalloids improve plant growth and immunity by various direct and indirect effects. On the other hand, metalloids like arsenic (As) and germanium (Ge) are detrimental for plants even at lower concentrations. The presence of these toxic entities inside cells disrupts cellular homeostasis by affecting the molecular, biochemical and physiological processes. The prospect to increase the uptake of beneficial metalloids and limit the hazardous metalloids and the challenges associated with the structural analogy and common transport mechanism is also discussed. The molecular insights into the biochemical and physiological aspects of metalloid transport and detoxification mechanisms will be helpful to exploit metalloid-derived benefits for crop improvement and accomplish food safety.
Rice PROTEIN L-ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE isoforms differentially accumulate during seed maturation to restrict deleterious isoAsp and reactive oxygen species accumulation and are implicated in seed vigor and longevity
(John Wiley & Sons, 2016) Petla, Bhanu Prakash; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Kumar, Meenu; Verma, Pooja; Ghosh, Shraboni; Singh, Ajeet; Rao, Venkateswara; Salvi, Prafull; Kaur, Harmeet; Saxena, Saurabh Chandra; Majee, Manoj
PROTEIN l-ISOASPARTYL O-METHYLTRANSFERASE (PIMT) is a protein-repairing enzyme involved in seed vigor and longevity. However, the regulation of PIMT isoforms during seed development and the mechanism of PIMT-mediated improvement of seed vigor and longevity are largely unknown. In this study in rice (Oryza sativa), we demonstrate the dynamics and correlation of isoaspartyl (isoAsp)-repairing demands and PIMT activity, and their implications, during seed development, germination and aging, through biochemical, molecular and genetic studies. Molecular and biochemical analyses revealed that rice possesses various biochemically active and inactive PIMT isoforms. Transcript and western blot analyses clearly showed the seed development stage and tissue-specific accumulation of active isoforms. Immunolocalization studies revealed distinct isoform expression in embryo and aleurone layers. Further analyses of transgenic lines for each OsPIMT isoform revealed a clear role in the restriction of deleterious isoAsp and age-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation to improve seed vigor and longevity. Collectively, our data suggest that a PIMT-mediated, protein repair mechanism is initiated during seed development in rice, with each isoform playing a distinct, yet coordinated, role. Our results also raise the intriguing possibility that PIMT repairs antioxidative enzymes and proteins which restrict ROS accumulation, lipid peroxidation, etc. in seed, particularly during aging, thus contributing to seed vigor and longevity.
Stress inducible galactinol synthase of chickpea (CaGolS) implicates in heat and oxidative stress tolerance through reducing stress induced excessive reactive oxygen species accumulation
(Oxford University Press, 2018) Salvi, Prafull; Kamble, Nitin Uttam; Majee, Manoj
Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides (RFOs) participates in various aspects of plant physiology and galactinol synthase (GolS, EC 2.4.1.123) catalyzes the key step of RFO biosynthesis. Stress induced accumulation of RFOs particularly galactinol and raffinose has been reported in few plants; however their precise role and mechanistic insight in stress adaptation remain elusive. In present study, we have shown that the GolS activity as well as galactinol and raffinose content are significantly increased in response to various abiotic stresses in chickpea. Transcriptional analysis indicated that the CaGolS1 and CaGolS2 genes are induced in response to different abiotic stresses. Interestingly, heat and oxidative stress preferentially induce CaGolS1 over CaGolS2. Insilco analysis revealed several common yet distinct cis-acting regulatory elements in their 5' upstream regulatory sequences. Further, in vitro biochemical analysis revealed that CaGolS1 enzyme functions better in stressful conditions than CaGolS2 enzyme. Finally, Arabidopsis transgenic plants constitutively overexpressing CaGolS1 or CaGolS2 not only exhibits significantly increased galactinol but also raffinose content and display better growth responses than wild type or vector control plants when exposed to heat and oxidative stress. Further, improved tolerance of transgenic lines are associated with reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent lipid peroxidation as compared to control plants.Collectively, our data implies that GolS enzyme activity and consequent galactinol and raffinose content are significantly increased in response to stresses to mitigate stress induced growth inhibition by restricting excessive ROS accumulation and consequent lipid peroxidation in plants.