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The unique bryophyte-specific repeat-containing protein SHORT-LEAF regulates gametophore development in moss
Boominathan Mohanasundaram1, Amey J Bhide1, Shirsa Palit1
1Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER-Pune), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Maharashtra, Pune 411008, India.
Plant Physiology
|October 7, 2021
Summary
Researchers discovered a novel bryophyte-specific gene, SHORT-LEAF (SHLF), crucial for moss gametophore development. This gene influences leaf size and apical dominance, offering insights into early land plant evolution.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Evolutionary genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Convergent evolution of shoot development is studied across plant lineages.
- Functional conservation of gene networks in flowering plants is known, but bryophyte-specific genes' roles are unclear.
- Previous work identified moss mutants affecting gametophore development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of bryophyte-specific genes in gametophore development.
- Identify and characterize genes controlling shoot development in mosses.
- Understand the evolutionary adaptations of early land plants.
Main Methods:
- Generated and analyzed Tnt1 insertional mutants in moss.
- Phenotypic characterization of the 'short-leaf' (shlf) mutant.
- UHPLC-MS/MS auxin quantification and GH3:GUS reporter assays.
- Whole-genome sequencing and functional characterization of candidate genes.
- Phylogenetic analysis of SHLF protein family.
- Cross-complementation experiments with Marchantia homolog.
Main Results:
- Identified a 'short-leaf' (shlf) mutant with shorter leaves, reduced apical dominance, and altered plasmodesmata frequency.
- Observed differential auxin distribution in the shlf mutant gametophore.
- Discovered a novel bryophyte-specific gene, SHORT-LEAF (SHLF), responsible for the shlf phenotype.
- SHLF encodes a unique protein family with tandem direct repeats (TDRs), conserved in mosses and liverworts.
- Cross-complementation indicated possible functional specialization of SHLF homologs.
- SHLF localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and undergoes proteolytic cleavage.
Conclusions:
- SHLF is a key regulator of gametophore development in bryophytes.
- The unique structure and function of SHLF suggest roles in bryophyte-specific cellular mechanisms.
- SHLF provides a new avenue for studying early land plant evolution and shoot development.
- This study highlights the importance of exploring lineage-specific genes in understanding evolutionary adaptations.
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