Stem cell homeostasis is vital for the continuous formation of plant organs. This process involves intricate interactions among peptide ligands and their receptor-like kinases. Due to the dynamic nature of plant genomes, understanding these mechanisms is crucial for improving crop resilience and productivity. Based on these challenges, it is essential to conduct in-depth research to explore the underlying genetic compensation mechanisms in plants.
In a study (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae126) conducted by researchers from Kyung Hee University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and published on May 3, 2024, in Horticulture Research, the team explored the genetic compensation mechanisms that regulate stem cell homeostasis in Solanaceae species, particularly tomato and groundcherry. The study focuses on the compensation roles of CLAVATA1 (CLV1) and its paralogs, BARELY ANY MERISTEMs (BAMs), through CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.
Using CRISPR-Cas9, researchers generated higher-order mutants in tomato and groundcherry to investigate receptor gene compensation mechanisms. They discovered that SlBAM1 and SlBAM2 in tomato effectively compensate for slclv1 mutations, ensuring stem cell proliferation without the need to upregulate other BAM genes. Similar compensation mechanisms were found in groundcherry. The study highlighted that critical amino acid residues involved in peptide ligand interactions are highly conserved across these species, providing a robust buffering capacity for stem cell homeostasis. This conservation underscores the evolutionary preservation of genetic compensation mechanisms within the Solanaceae family, illustrating how these plants maintain essential functions despite genetic perturbations. These findings offer new insights into the genetic robustness of plants and have significant implications for enhancing crop resilience and productivity.
Dr. Choon-Tak Kwon, the lead researcher from Kyung Hee University, stated, “Our findings demonstrate a remarkable evolutionary conservation of genetic compensation mechanisms in plants. Understanding these mechanisms opens new avenues for enhancing crop resilience and productivity by leveraging the inherent genetic robustness in plant species.”
The insights gained from this study have significant implications for agricultural practices. By understanding the genetic compensation mechanisms in plants, breeders can develop more resilient crops that can better withstand environmental stresses. This research paves the way for innovative approaches to crop improvement, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and food security.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae126
Funding information
This research was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea (No. 2022R1C1C1002941 to C.-T.K., No. 2020R1A2C1101915 to S.J.P., and No. RS-2023-00217064 to W.-J.H.), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program (No. IOS-1732253) to Z.B.L.
About Horticulture Research
Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.
