enhanced-photosynthesis-water-use-efficiency-transgenic-sugarcane

Enhanced Photosynthesis and Water-Use Efficiency in Transgenic Sugarcane Expressing Arabidopsis <em>DREB1A</em> Under Drought Stress

Drought stress imposes a critical limitation on sugarcane productivity, thereby necessitating the development of stress-resilient cultivars for ...

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS)

Pre-exposing plants to abiotic stresses can induce stress memory, which is crucial for adapting to subsequent stress exposure. Although numerous genes involved in salt stress response have been identified, the understanding of memory responses to salt stress remains limited.

Dynamic physiological and transcriptomic changes reveal memory effects of salt stress in maize.

Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is one of the major devastating constraints to soybean production in Pakistan. In the present study, we report the identification of resistant soybean germplasm and a novel mutation linked with disease susceptibility. Diverse soybean germplasm were screened to identify YMD-resistant lines under natural field conditions during 2016-2020. The severity of YMD was recorded based on symptoms and was grouped according to the disease rating scale, which ranges from 0 to 5, and named as highly resistant (HR), moderately resistant (MR), resistant (R), susceptible (S), moderately susceptible (MS), and highly susceptible (HS), respectively. A HR plant named "NBG-SG Soybean" was identified, which showed stable resistance for 5 years (2016-2020) at the experimental field of the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan, a location that is a hot spot area for virus infection. HS soybean germplasm were also identified as NBG-47 (PI628963), NBG-117 (PI548655), SPS-C1 (PI553045), SPS-C9 (PI639187), and cv. NARC-2021. The YMD adversely affected the yield and a significant difference was found in the potential yield of NBG-SG-soybean (3.46 ± 0.13 t/ha) with HS soybean germplasm NARC-2021 (0.44 ± 0.01 t/ha) and NBG-117 (1.12 ± 0.01 t/ha), respectively. The YMD incidence was also measured each year (2016-2020) and data showed a significant difference in the percent disease incidence in the year 2016 and 2018 and a decrease after 2019 when resistant lines were planted. The resistance in NBG-SG soybean was further confirmed by testing for an already known mutation (SNP at 149 position) for YMD in the  gene of soybean. The susceptible soybean germplasm in the field was found positive for the said mutation. Moreover, an ortholog of the  viral resistance gene from black gram was identified in soybean as , which has a novel deletion (28bp/90bp) in the 5`UTR of susceptible germplasm. The characterized soybean lines from this study will assist in starting soybean breeding programs for YMD resistance. This is the first study regarding screening and molecular analysis of soybean germplasm for YMD resistance.

A source of resistance against yellow mosaic disease in soybeans correlates with a novel mutation in a resistance gene.

Soybean (Glycine max ) is an important oilseed, protein and biodiesel crop. It faces significant threats from bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, which cause economic losses and jeopardises global food security. In this article, we explore the relationship between soybeans and these pathogens, focusing on the molecular responses that are crucial for soybeans defence mechanisms. Molecular responses involve small RNAs and specific genes, including resistance (R) genes that are pivotal in triggering immune responses. Functional genomics, which makes use of cutting-edge technologies, such as CRISPR Cas9 gene editing, allows us to identify genes that provide insights into the defence mechanisms of soybeans with the focus on using genomics to understand the mechanisms involved in host pathogen interactions and ultimately improve the resilience of soybeans. Genes like GmKR3 and GmVQ58 have demonstrated resistance against soybean mosaic virus and common cutworm, respectively. Genetic studies have identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including those linked with soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode and Phytophthora root and stem rot resistance. Additionally, resistance against Asian soybean rust and soybean cyst nematode involves specific genes and their variations in terms of different copy numbers. To address the challenges posed by evolving pathogens and meet the demands of a growing population, accelerated soybean breeding efforts leveraging functional genomics are imperative. Targeted breeding strategies based on a deeper understanding of soybean gene function and regulation will enhance disease resistance, ensuring sustainable agriculture and global food security. Collaborative research and continued technological advancements are crucial for securing a resilient and productive agricultural future.

Genomic blueprints of soybean () pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture.

Soybean Glycine max L., paleopolyploid genome, poses challenges to its genetic improvement. However, the development of reference genome assemblies and genome sequencing has completely changed the field of soybean genomics, allowing for more accurate and successful breeding techniques as well as research. During the single-cell revolution, one of the most advanced sequencing tools for examining the transcriptome landscape is single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Comprehensive resources for genetic improvement of soybeans may be found in the SoyBase and other genomics databases. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology provides promising prospects for precise genetic modifications in soybean. This method has enhanced several soybean traits, including as yield, nutritional value, and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. With base editing techniques that allow for precise DNA modifications, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 is further increased. With the availability of the reference genome for soybeans and the following assembly of wild and cultivated soybeans, significant chromosomal rearrangements and gene duplication events have been identified, offering new perspectives on the complex genomic structure of soybeans. Furthermore, major single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to stachyose and sucrose content have been found through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), providing important tools for enhancing soybean carbohydrate profiles. In order to open up new avenues for soybean genetic improvement, future research approaches include investigating transcriptional divergence processes, enhancing genetic resources, and incorporating CRISPR-Cas9 technologies.

Revolutionizing soybean genomics: How CRISPR and advanced sequencing are unlocking new potential.

Thermophilic cellulases can play a crucial part in the efficient breakdown of cellulose-a major component of lignocellulosic plant biomass, however, their commercial production needs simple and robust biomanufacturing biosystems. In this study, two cellulases (β-glucosidase and endoglucanase) were heterologously expressed in  under a chloroplast-derived constitutive promoter and expression-enhancing terminator. The genes encoding the cellulases were sourced from a thermophilic bacterium  to exploit their industrially needed thermotolerance potential. The codon-optimized gene sequences were synthesized and placed under a tobacco chloroplast 16S rRNA promoter (Prrn), along with the 5' UTR (untranslated region) from gene 10 of phage T7 (T7g10). A six-residue long histidine tag (His-tag) was attached to the N-terminus for protein detection. A high-level of expression of β-glucosidase and endoglucanase in  was recorded from the chloroplast promoter and terminator. Furthermore, the activity assays confirmed that the recombinant enzymes maintained their activity at elevated temperatures. Thermostability analysis showed that recombinant enzymes retained their thermotolerance even after being expressed in a non-native host. Where, β-glucosidase and endoglucanase showed their optimum activities at 90 °C and 100 °C, respectively. Examination of the 3D structures of  cellulases revealed differential ionic interactions contributing to this high degree of thermotolerance. The study highlights the feasibility of producing thermostable versions of recombinant enzymes in  at high levels. Our finding underscores the potential of this approach to meet industrial demands for efficient enzyme production employing  as a robust biomanufacturing platform.

Article	Year
Dynamic physiological and transcriptomic changes reveal memory effects of salt stress in maize. BMC genomics\| PubMed ID: 38041011	2023
A source of resistance against yellow mosaic disease in soybeans correlates with a novel mutation in a resistance gene. Frontiers in plant science\| PubMed ID: 38078080	2023
Genomic blueprints of soybean () pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture. Functional plant biology : FPB\| PubMed ID: 38669462	2024
Revolutionizing soybean genomics: How CRISPR and advanced sequencing are unlocking new potential. Functional & integrative genomics\| PubMed ID: 39223394	2024
Harnessing the potential of chloroplast-derived expression elements for enhanced production of cellulases in . PeerJ\| PubMed ID: 39902317	2025

Ghulam Raza

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