ZmARF1 positively regulates low phosphorus stress tolerance via modulating lateral root development in maize
Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most critical factors for plant growth and productivity, including its inhibition of lateral root initiation. Auxin response factors (ARFs) play crucial roles in root development via auxin signaling mediated by genetic pathways. In this study, we found that th...
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Published in | PLoS genetics Vol. 20; no. 2; p. e1011135 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Public Library of Science
05.02.2024
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most critical factors for plant growth and productivity, including its inhibition of lateral root initiation. Auxin response factors (ARFs) play crucial roles in root development via auxin signaling mediated by genetic pathways. In this study, we found that the transcription factor
ZmARF1
was associated with low inorganic phosphate (Pi) stress-related traits in maize. This superior root morphology and greater phosphate stress tolerance could be ascribed to the overexpression of
ZmARF1
. The knock out mutant
zmarf1
had shorter primary roots, fewer root tip number, and lower root volume and surface area. Transcriptomic data indicate that
ZmLBD1
, a direct downstream target gene, is involved in lateral root development, which enhances phosphate starvation tolerance. A transcriptional activation assay revealed that
ZmARF1
specifically binds to the GC-box motif in the promoter of
ZmLBD1
and activates its expression. Moreover,
ZmARF1
positively regulates the expression of
ZmPHR1
,
ZmPHT1;2
, and
ZmPHO2
, which are key transporters of Pi in maize. We propose that
ZmARF1
promotes the transcription of
ZmLBD1
to modulate lateral root development and Pi-starvation induced (
PSI
) genes to regulate phosphate mobilization and homeostasis under phosphorus starvation. In addition, ZmERF2 specifically binds to the ABRE motif of the promoter of
ZmARF1
and represses its expression. Collectively, the findings of this study revealed that
ZmARF1
is a pivotal factor that modulates root development and confers low-Pi stress tolerance through the transcriptional regulation of the biological function of
ZmLBD1
and the expression of key Pi transport proteins. |
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Bibliography: | new_version ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 content type line 23 The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. |
ISSN: | 1553-7404 1553-7390 1553-7404 |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011135 |