In all land plants, the outer surface of aerial parts is covered by the cuticle, a complex lipid layer that constitutes a barrier against damages caused by environmental factors and provides protection against non-stomatal water loss. We show in this study that both cuticle deposition and cuticle-dependent leaf permeability during the juvenile phase of plant development are controlled by the maize (Zea mays) transcription factor ZmFUSED LEAVES 1 (FDL1)/MYB94. Biochemical analysis showed altered cutin and wax biosynthesis and deposition in fdl1-1 mutant seedlings at the coleoptile stage. Among cutin compounds, ω-hydroxy fatty acids and polyhydroxy-fatty acids were specifically affected, while the reduction of epicuticular waxes was mainly observed in primary long chain alcohols, and to a minor extent, long-chain wax esters. Transcriptome analysis allowed the identification of candidate genes involved in lipid metabolism and the assembly of a proposed pathway for cuticle biosynthesis in maize. Lack of ZmFDL1/MYB94 affects the expression of genes located in different modules of the pathway, and we highlighted the correspondence between gene transcriptional variations and biochemical defects. We observed decrease in cuticle-dependent leaf permeability in maize seedlings exposed to drought as well as to abscisic acid treatment, which implies coordinated changes in the transcript levels of ZmFDL1/MYB94 and associated genes. Overall, our results suggest that the response to water stress implies the activation of wax biosynthesis and the involvement of both ZmFDL1/MYB94 and abscisic acid regulatory pathways.

Drought-responsive ZmFDL1/MYB94 regulates cuticle biosynthesis and cuticle-dependent leaf permeability / G. Castorina, F. Domergue, M. Chiara, M. Zilio, M. Persico, V. Ricciardi, D.S. Horner, G. Consonni. - In: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. - ISSN 0032-0889. - 184:1(2020 Sep 01), pp. 266-282. [10.1104/pp.20.00322]

Drought-responsive ZmFDL1/MYB94 regulates cuticle biosynthesis and cuticle-dependent leaf permeability

G. Castorina
Primo
;
M. Chiara;M. Zilio;M. Persico;V. Ricciardi;D.S. Horner
Penultimo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
G. Consonni
Ultimo
Project Administration
2020

Abstract

In all land plants, the outer surface of aerial parts is covered by the cuticle, a complex lipid layer that constitutes a barrier against damages caused by environmental factors and provides protection against non-stomatal water loss. We show in this study that both cuticle deposition and cuticle-dependent leaf permeability during the juvenile phase of plant development are controlled by the maize (Zea mays) transcription factor ZmFUSED LEAVES 1 (FDL1)/MYB94. Biochemical analysis showed altered cutin and wax biosynthesis and deposition in fdl1-1 mutant seedlings at the coleoptile stage. Among cutin compounds, ω-hydroxy fatty acids and polyhydroxy-fatty acids were specifically affected, while the reduction of epicuticular waxes was mainly observed in primary long chain alcohols, and to a minor extent, long-chain wax esters. Transcriptome analysis allowed the identification of candidate genes involved in lipid metabolism and the assembly of a proposed pathway for cuticle biosynthesis in maize. Lack of ZmFDL1/MYB94 affects the expression of genes located in different modules of the pathway, and we highlighted the correspondence between gene transcriptional variations and biochemical defects. We observed decrease in cuticle-dependent leaf permeability in maize seedlings exposed to drought as well as to abscisic acid treatment, which implies coordinated changes in the transcript levels of ZmFDL1/MYB94 and associated genes. Overall, our results suggest that the response to water stress implies the activation of wax biosynthesis and the involvement of both ZmFDL1/MYB94 and abscisic acid regulatory pathways.
Settore BIO/11 - Biologia Molecolare
Settore AGR/07 - Genetica Agraria
Settore BIO/11 - Biologia Molecolare
Settore BIO/18 - Genetica
   Piano di Sostegno alla Ricerca 2015-2017 - Linea 2 "Dotazione annuale per attività istituzionali" (anno 2020)
   UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
1-set-2020
14-lug-2020
hdl:2434/762054
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
plphys_v184_1_266.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 2.63 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.63 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/762054
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 9
  • Scopus 26
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 24
social impact