Genome-wide identification of PLATZ genes related to cadmium tolerance in Populus trichocarpa and characterization of the role of PtPLATZ3 in phytoremediation of cadmium

Xiaocen Ma; Haobo Yang; Yufen Bu; Xinyuan Wu; Na Sun; Jianwei Xiao; Yanping Jing

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.176

Genome-wide identification of PLATZ genes related to cadmium tolerance in Populus trichocarpa and characterization of the role of PtPLATZ3 in phytoremediation of cadmium

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Feb 15:228:732-743. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.176. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Authors

Xiaocen Ma¹, Haobo Yang¹, Yufen Bu¹, Xinyuan Wu¹, Na Sun¹, Jianwei Xiao¹, Yanping Jing²

Affiliations

¹ National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
² National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: ypjing@bjfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36563811
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.176

Abstract

Plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (PLATZ) proteins are a class of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors that perform critical functions in plant development and resistance. However, the function of PLATZs in heavy metal tolerance has not yet been investigated. Moreover, only a few PLATZ proteins have been functionally characterized in tree species. In this study, we identified 18 PtPLATZ genes in Populus trichocarpa, an important woody model plant, and classified them into five groups. PtPLATZ genes attributed to the same clade usually possess similar exon-intron structures containing two or three introns, as well as a similar motif composition. Furthermore, chromosomal location analysis indicated an uneven distribution of PtPLATZ genes on 13 of the 19 Populus chromosomes. Promoter cis-acting element prediction and gene expression analysis showed that PtPLATZ genes were highly responsive to heavy metal stress. Heterologous yeast expression revealed that PtPLATZ1, PtPLATZ2, PtPLATZ3, PtPLATZ4, PtPLATZ8 and PtPLATZ9 are significantly involved in Cd tolerance. In addition, transgenic expression of PtPLATZ3 significantly enhanced Cd tolerance and accumulation, slowed the decline in chlorophyll content, maintained membrane integrity in Populus, and increased the expression of genes related to Cd tolerance and accumulation. In conclusion, our results suggest the potential of PtPLATZ3 to improve Cd tolerance and accumulation in Populus, which is of great significance for phytoremediation.

Keywords: Cadmium (Cd); PLATZ; Phytoremediation; Populus; Transgenic expression.

MeSH terms

Biodegradation, Environmental
Cadmium / metabolism
Cadmium / toxicity
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Introns
Metals, Heavy* / metabolism
Metals, Heavy* / toxicity
Plant Proteins / chemistry
Populus* / genetics
Populus* / metabolism

Substances

Cadmium
Metals, Heavy
Plant Proteins