Publications of NIPGR Scientists
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Item Deciphering the physiological and molecular functions of phytohormones(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Sharma, Manvi; Laxmi, AshveryaPlants rely on a diverse set of small molecules called phytohormones for growth, development, and adaptability. Since the discovery of auxin, hormones have been at the frontier of plant biology. Classically, hormone functions and responses were studied using synthetic hormones and analogs. However, the advent of technology, multidisciplinary approaches, and the genome sequencing of the model system of Arabidopsis and rice has dramatically increased our understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions. In this chapter, we talk about how independent or combined molecular action of phytohormones such as with their signaling components and regulators leads to changes in plant physiology to regulate multiple aspects of plant development, defense, and adaptation. We envisage that such detailed knowledge will allow a far greater understanding of the complex dynamics underlying plant hormone action.Item Abiotic stress tolerance in plants: Brassinosteroids navigate competently(MDPI AG, 2022) Chaudhuri, Abira; Halder, Koushik; Abdin, Malik Z; Majee, Manoj; Datta, AsisBrassinosteroid hormones (BRs) multitask to smoothly regulate a broad spectrum of vital physiological processes in plants, such as cell division, cell expansion, differentiation, seed germination, xylem differentiation, reproductive development and light responses (photomorphogenesis and skotomorphogenesis). Their importance is inferred when visible abnormalities arise in plant phenotypes due to suboptimal or supraoptimal hormone levels. This group of steroidal hormones are major growth regulators, having pleiotropic effects and conferring abiotic stress resistance to plants. Numerous abiotic stresses are the cause of significant loss in agricultural yield globally. However, plants are well equipped with efficient stress combat machinery. Scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a unique mechanism to combat the deleterious effects of abiotic stresses. In light of numerous reports in the past two decades, the complex BR signaling under different stress conditions (drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and heavy metals/metalloids) that drastically hinders the normal metabolism of plants is gradually being untangled and revealed. Thus, crop improvement has substantial potential by tailoring either the brassinosteroid signaling, biosynthesis pathway or perception. This review aims to explore and dissect the actual mission of BRs in signaling cascades and summarize their positive role with respect to abiotic stress tolerance.Item CLAVATA signaling pathway receptors modulate developmental traits and stress responses in crops(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Basu, Udita; Parida, Swarup K.The CLAVATA signaling pathway is one of the most important signaling components in the plant system. The CLE peptides and their receptors play crucial roles in various aspects of plant development and stress responses. The most common receptor types of this signaling system include the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-receptor-like kinases like the CLAVATA1, BAM receptors, RPK2, and CIKs and the LRR-RLPs like the CLV2 and its coreceptors. The most notable role of the CLAVATA receptors is in meristematic cell maintenance in root and shoot. Their role is well studied in legumes for autoregulation of nodulation and a similar role has been observed in mycorrhizal symbiotic relation establishment and regulation. The CLAVATA receptors are also involved in both biotic and abiotic stress perception and responses in crops. The signaling pathway and its receptors have enormous potential for utilization in crop improvement endeavors. Understanding their role in signal regulation will help in developing better-performing customized crops.Item Molecular characterization reveals the involvement of calcium dependent protein kinases in abiotic stress signaling and development in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022) Deepika, Deepika; Poddar, Nikita; Kumar, Shailesh; Singh, AmarjeetCalcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are a major group of calcium (Ca2+) sensors in plants. CDPKs play a dual function of "Ca2+ sensor and responder." These sensors decode the "Ca2+ signatures" generated in response to adverse growth conditions such as drought, salinity, and cold and developmental processes. However, knowledge of the CDPK family in the legume crop chickpea is missing. Here, we have identified a total of 22 CDPK genes in the chickpea genome. The phylogenetic analysis of the chickpea CDPK family with other plants revealed their evolutionary conservation. Protein homology modeling described the three-dimensional structure of chickpea CDPKs. Defined arrangements of α-helix, β-strands, and transmembrane-helix represent important structures like kinase domain, inhibitory junction domain, N and C-lobes of EF-hand motifs. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that CaCDPK proteins are localized mainly at the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Most of the CaCDPK promoters had abiotic stress and development-related cis-regulatory elements, suggesting the functional role of CaCDPKs in abiotic stress and development-related signaling. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) expression analysis indicated the role of the CaCDPK family in various developmental stages, including vegetative, reproductive development, senescence stages, and during seed stages of early embryogenesis, late embryogenesis, mid and late seed maturity. The real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that several CaCDPK genes are specifically as well as commonly induced by drought, salt, and Abscisic acid (ABA). Overall, these findings indicate that the CDPK family is probably involved in abiotic stress responses and development in chickpeas. This study provides crucial information on the CDPK family that will be utilized in generating abiotic stress-tolerant and high-yielding chickpea varieties.Item Dark-induced hormonal regulation of plant growth and development(Frontiers Media S.A., 2020) Deepika; Ankit; Sagar, Sushma; Singh, AmarjeetThe sessile nature of plants has made them extremely sensitive and flexible towards the constant flux of the surrounding environment, particularly light and dark. The light is perceived as a signal by specific receptors which further transduce the information through the signaling intermediates and effector proteins to modulate gene expression. Signal transduction induces changes in hormone levels that alters developmental, physiological and morphological processes. Importance of light for plants growth is well recognized, but a holistic understanding of key molecular and physiological changes governing plants development under dark is awaited. Here, we describe how darkness acts as a signal causing alteration in hormone levels and subsequent modulation of the gene regulatory network throughout plant life. The emphasis of this review is on dark mediated changes in plant hormones, regulation of signaling complex COP/DET/FUS and the transcription factors PIFs which affects developmental events such as apical hook development, elongated hypocotyls, photoperiodic flowering, shortened roots, and plastid development. Furthermore, the role of darkness in shade avoidance and senescence is discussed.Item Calcium dependent protein kinase, a versatile player in plant stress management and development(Taylor & Francis Group, 2018) Singh, Amarjeet; Sagar, Sushma; Biswas, Dipul KumarCalcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) form the major and unique group of calcium (Ca2+) sensors in plants. Attributed to their peculiar structural features, CDPKs play a dual role of “Ca2+ sensor and responder” and translate the message from specific Ca2+ signature to phosphorylation events. Most of the stress and developmental triggers instigate an increase in Ca2+ level and consequently Ca2+ signaling in plants. Expression and functional analyses across plant species have revealed differential regulation of CDPK transcripts, activity, protein interactions and substrate targeting under different cues, including biotic and abiotic stresses and plant development. Thus, vital roles of CDPKs are proposed in perpetuating stress and development triggered Ca2+ signaling to adaptive responses in plants. Genetic engineering using CDPK genes could be utilitarian in the agricultural biotechnology for imparting higher degree of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and better productivity. Here, we discuss the recent advancements and update of CDPK gene family organization, domain structure and regulatory mechanism, the role of CDPKs in abiotic stress, biotic stress, development signaling and responses in the model and crop plants.Item Striking the right chord: Signaling enigma during root gravitropism(Frontiers Media S.A., 2017) Singh, Manjul; Gupta, Aditi; Laxmi, AshveryaPlants being sessile can often be judged as passive acceptors of their environment. However, plants are actually even more active in responding to the factors from their surroundings. Plants do not have eyes, ears or vestibular system like animals, still they "know" which way is up and which way is down? This is facilitated by receptor molecules within plant which perceive changes in internal and external conditions such as light, touch, obstacles; and initiate signaling pathways that enable the plant to react. Plant responses that involve a definite and specific movement are called "tropic" responses. Perhaps the best known and studied tropisms are phototropism, i.e., response to light, and geotropism, i.e., response to gravity. A robust root system is vital for plant growth as it can provide physical anchorage to soil as well as absorb water, nutrients and essential minerals from soil efficiently. Gravitropic responses of both primary as well as lateral root thus become critical for plant growth and development. The molecular mechanisms of root gravitropism has been delved intensively, however, the mechanism behind how the potential energy of gravity stimulus converts into a biochemical signal in vascular plants is still unknown, due to which gravity sensing in plants still remains one of the most fascinating questions in molecular biology. Communications within plants occur through phytohormones and other chemical substances produced in plants which have a developmental or physiological effect on growth. Here, we review current knowledge of various intrinsic signaling mechanisms that modulate root gravitropism in order to point out the questions and emerging developments in plant directional growth responses. We are also discussing the roles of sugar signals and their interaction with phytohormone machinery, specifically in context of root directional responses.Item The interaction between glucose and cytokinin signaling in controlling Arabidopsis thaliana seedling root growth and development(Taylor & Francis Group, 2017) Kushwah, Sunita; Laxmi, AshveryaCytokinin (CK) and glucose (GLC) control a number of common responses in plants. There is an extensive overlap between CK and GLC signal transduction pathways in Arabidopsis. Physiologically, both GLC and CK could regulate root length in light. CK interacts with GLC via HXK1 dependent pathway for root length control. Wild-type (WT) roots cannot elongate in the GLC free medium while CK-receptor mutant ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE4 (ahk4) and type B ARR triple mutant ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR1, 10,11 (arr1, 10,11) roots could elongate even in the absence of GLC as compared to the WT. The root hair initiation was also found defective in CK signaling mutants ahk4, arr1,10,11 and arr3,4,5,6,8,9 on increasing GLC concentration (up to 3%); and lesser number of root hairs were visible even at 5% GLC as compared to the WT. Out of 941 BAP regulated genes, 103 (11%) genes were involved in root growth and development. Out of these 103 genes, 60 (58%) genes were also regulated by GLC. GLC could regulate 5736 genes, which include 327 (6%) genes involved in root growth and development. Out of these 327 genes, 60 (18%) genes were also regulated by BAP. Both GLC and CK signaling cannot alter root length in light in auxin signaling mutant AUXIN RESPONSE3/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID17 (axr3/iaa17) suggesting that they may involve auxin signaling component as a nodal point. Therefore CK- and GLC- signaling are involved in controlling different aspects of root growth and development such as root length, with auxin signaling components working as downstream target.Item Jasmonates: Emerging players in controlling temperature stress tolerance(Frontiers Media S.A., 2016) Sharma, Manvi; Laxmi, AshveryaThe sedentary life of plants has forced them to live in an environment that is characterized by the presence of numerous challenges in terms of biotic and abiotic stresses. Phytohormones play essential roles in mediating plant physiology and alleviating various environmental perturbations. Jasmonates are a group of oxylipin compounds occurring ubiquitously in the plant kingdom that play pivotal roles in response to developmental and environmental cues. Jasmonates (JAs) have been shown to participate in unison with key factors of other signal transduction pathway, including those involved in response to abiotic stress. Recent findings have furnished large body of information suggesting the role of jasmonates in cold and heat stress. JAs have been shown to regulate C-repeat binding factor (CBF) pathway during cold stress. The interaction between the integrants of JA signaling and components of CBF pathway demonstrates a complex relationship between the two. JAs have also been shown to counteract chilling stress by inducing ROS avoidance enzymes. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest the positive regulation of thermotolerance by JA. The present review provides insights into biosynthesis, signal transduction pathway of jasmonic acid and their role in response to temperature stress.Item Regulation of MAP kinase signaling cascade by microRNAs in Oryza sativa(Taylor & Francis Group, 2014) Raghuram, Badmi; Sheikh, Arsheed Hussain; Sinha, Alok KrishnaMitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is one of the most conserved signaling cascade in plants regulating a plethora of cellular processes including normal growth and development, abiotic and biotic stress responses. The perception of external cues triggers the phosphorylation of three tier MAPKKK-MAPKK-MAPK cascade which finally modifies a downstream substrate thereby regulating the cellular processes. Whereas, the transcription regulation by MAPKs, mediated through their substrates is well studied in plants, the transcription and post-transcriptional regulation of the MAPK genes are poorly understood. Previous studies from the animals systems suggested the miRNAs regulate the post-transcriptional regulation of MAPK transcripts. Here we attempt to unravel the post-transcriptional regulation of MAPKs by miRNAs in model crop plant Oryza sativa. Using in silico tools, we predict the miRNAs for 98 out of 99 MAPK transcripts. The predicted miRNAs were validated for the biological relevance of their function. The inverse correlation between relative transcript levels between the MAPKs and their predicted miRNAs validated the in silico prediction. Taken together, this report demonstrates the significance of miRNAs in regulation of the MAPK pathway in plants with a new direction to study the plant signaling molecules.