MADS-box Transcription Factor OsMADS25 Regulates Root Development through Affection of Nitrate Accumulation in Rice

Abstract

MADS-box transcription factors are vital regulators participating in plant growth and development process and the functions of most of them are still unknown. ANR1 was reported to play a key role in controlling lateral root development through nitrate signal in Arabidopsis. OsMADS25 is one of five ANR1-like genes in Oryza Sativa and belongs to the ANR1 clade. Here we have investigated the role of OsMADS25 in the plant’s responses to external nitrate in Oryza Sativa. Our results showed that OsMADS25 protein was found in the nucleus as well as in the cytoplasm. Over-expression of OsMADS25 significantly promoted lateral and primary root growth as well as shoot growth in a nitrate-dependent manner in Arabidopsis. OsMADS25 overexpression in transgenic rice resulted in significantly increased primary root length, lateral root number, lateral root length and shoot fresh weight in the presence of nitrate. Down-regulation of OsMADS25 in transgenic rice exhibited significantly reduced shoot and root growth in the presence of nitrate. Furthermore, over-expression of OsMADS25 in transgenic rice promoted nitrate accumulation and significantly increased the expressions of nitrate transporter genes at high rates of nitrate supply while down-regulation of OsMADS25 produced the opposite effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that OsMADS25 is a positive regulator control lateral and primary root development in rice.

OsMADS25 regulates root system development via auxin signalling in rice

“…It has been reported that OsMADS25 regulates PR elongation and LR formation under NO 3 − ‐rich conditions, but there were no significant differences found between the wild type and transgenic lines on NO 3 − ‐free medium (Yu et al ., ). Furthermore, we examined the expression of OsMADS25 in response to different NO 3 − conditions.…”

“…More interestingly, NO 3 − accumulation in the root is positively related to exogenous auxin application (Figure S11b). Generally, our results supported the notion that NO 3 − acts as a signal to stimulate OsMADS25 to control root system development, which is consistent with a previous report (Yu et al ., ). Based on the results that OsMADS25 controlling the root development under both N‐rich and N‐free conditions (Figures ), we then proposed that, besides NO 3 − signalling pathway, OsMADS25 is also involved in other signalling(s) to regulate LR development.…”

“…Recently, OsMADS25, a member of the AGL17-clade homologues in rice, was reported to regulate root development through alteration of NO 3 À accumulation (Yu et al, 2015). However, the underlying mechanism(s) through which OsMADS25 controls root development remain elusive.…”

“…In rice, the AGL17-like homologues OsMADS23, OsMADS25, OsMADS27, and OsMADS57 are preferentially expressed in the central cylinder of the root (Arora et al, 2007;Puig et al, 2013), suggesting that they could play a role in root system development. Recently, OsMADS25 was reported to regulate rice PR and LR development in a nitrate-dependent manner (Yu et al, 2015). Despite recent progress, the regulation of root development by OsMADS25 is still poorly understood.…”

Systems Biology for Smart Crops and Agricultural Innovation: Filling the Gaps between Genotype and Phenotype for Complex Traits Linked with Robust Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

“…Recently the role of OsMADS25 in the plant's responses to external nitrate was investigated. It was found that the OsMADS25 protein is found in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and works as a positive regulator to control lateral and primary root development in rice (Yu et al, 2015).…”