Project description:Deciphering the various chemical modifications of both DNA and the histone compound of chromatin not only leads to a better understanding of the genome-wide organization of epigenetic landmarks and their impact on gene expression but may also provide some insights into the evolutionary processes. Although both histone modifications and DNA methylation have been widely investigated in various plant genomes, here we present the first study for the genus Lupinus. Lupins, which are members of grain legumes (pulses), are beneficial for food security, nutrition, health and the environment. In order gain a better understanding of the epigenetic organization of genomes in lupins we applied the immunostaining of methylated histone H3 and DNA methylation as well as whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. We revealed variations in the patterns of chromatin modifications at the chromosomal level among three crop lupins, i.e. L. angustifolius (2n=40), L. albus (2n=50) and L. luteus (2n=52), and the legume model plant Medicago truncatula (2n=16). Different chromosomal patterns were found depending on the specific modification, e.g. H3K4me2 was localised in the terminal parts of L. angustifolius and M. truncatula chromosomes, which is in agreement with the results that have been obtained for other species. Interestingly, in L. albus and L. luteus this modification was limited to one arm in the case of all of the chromosomes in the complement. Additionally, H3K9me2 was detected in all of the analysed species except L. luteus. DNA methylation sequencing (CG, CHG and CHH contexts) of aforementioned crop but also wild lupins such as L. cosentinii (2n=32), L. digitatus (2n=36), L. micranthus (2n=52) and L. pilosus (2n=42) supported the range of interspecific diversity. The examples of epigenetic modifications illustrate the diversity of lupin genomes and could be helpful for elucidating further epigenetic changes in the evolution of the lupin genome.
Project description:Phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) deficiency are major limiting factors for plant productivity worldwide. White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) has become a model plant for understanding plant adaptations to P and Fe deficiency, because of its ability to form cluster roots, bottle-brush-like root structures that play an important role in the uptake of P and Fe from soil. However, little is known about the signaling pathways involved in sensing and responding to P and Fe deficiency. Sucrose, sent in increased concentrations from the shoot to the root, has been identified as a long- distance signal of P and Fe deficiencies. To unravel responses to sucrose as a signal, we performed Oxford Nanopore cDNA sequencing of white lupin roots treated with sucrose for 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min, compared to untreated controls. We identified a set of 17 genes, including two bHLH transcription factors, that were upregulated at all three time points of sucrose treatment. GO (gene ontology) analysis revealed enrichment of auxin- and gibberellin-responses as early as 10 min after sucrose addition, and the emerging of ethanol-responses at 20 min of sucrose treatment, indicating a sequential involvement of these hormones in plant responses to sucrose.
Project description:An RNA-Seq Transcriptome Analysis of Orthophosphate-Deficient White Lupin Reveals Novel Insights into Phosphorus Acclimation in Plants
Project description:During germination and early seedling development plants rely entirely on their seed storage compounds to provide energy and precursors for the synthesis of macromolecular structures such as cell walls until the seedling has emerged from the soil and photosynthesis can be established. Lupin seeds use proteins as their major storage compounds, accounting for up to 40% of the seed dry weight. Lupins are therefore a valuable complement to soy as a source of plant protein for human and animal nutrition. However, knowledge on protein and amino acid metabolism during germination and seedling establishment in lupin plants is still limited. The aim of this study was to elucidate how storage protein metabolism is coordinated with other metabolic processes to meet the requirements of the growing seedling. In a quantitative approach, we analyzed seedling growth, as well as alterations in biomass composition, the proteome, and metabolite profiles during germination and seedling establishment in Lupinus albus. The reallocation of nitrogen resources from seed storage proteins to functional seed proteins was mapped based on a manually curated functional protein annotation database. Although classified as a protein crop, Lupinus albus does not use amino acids as a primary resource during germination. The predominant role of the stored proteins is to act as a nitrogen resource for vigorous post-germinative growth. The degradation of storage lipids and carbohydrates is sufficient to meet the energy requirements for early seedling establishment until the onset of photosynthesis. However, our results suggest that during germination fatty acid and amino acid metabolism may be integrated at the level of malate synthase to combine stored carbon from lipids and proteins into gluconeogenesis.
Project description:Constituents of lupin seeds, like γ-conglutin and lupanine, have gained attention as potential complementary treatments for the management of dysglycaemia. Notwithstanding, the effect of other lupin components on carbohydrate metabolism, including β-conglutin protein, has received little attention. Here, we investigated the influence of the acute and chronic administration of β-conglutin on glycaemia modulation in normal and streptozotocin induced-to-diabetes rats. To identify potential molecular targets and pathways involved in this biological response, we analysed the liver transcriptome modulation exerted by β-conglutin in diabetes-induced rats using DNA microarrays. The acute administration of β-conglutin reduced the incremental area under the curve of glycaemia in normal and diabetes-induced animals. In a seven-day study with diabetic animals, glycaemia increased significantly in non-treated animals but remained unchanged in animals treated with a daily dose of β-conglutin. Noteworthy, total cholesterol was significantly lower at the end of the experimental period (−21.8%, p = 0.039). Results of the microarray test and gene ontology analyses revealed several targets and pathways modulated after β-conglutin treatment, including a down-regulation of Jun kinase activity. Moreover, our data indicate that targets related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and estrogenic activity might orchestrate these metabolic effects. In conclusion, our findings show that β-conglutin may be useful to manage postprandial glycaemia and reduce cholesterol levels under the dysglycaemia stage. We identified and proposed new potential molecular targets for further research related to the mechanism of action of β-conglutin.