Role of moss and Arabidopsis zinc-fnger homeodomain transcription factors in regulating plant architecture

Authors: LEE, YOUNG KOUNG - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; KIM, KEUNHWA - Institute For Basic Science; Ware, Doreen

Submitted to: Plant Biotechnology Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2024
Publication Date: 4/1/2024
Citation: Lee, Y., Kim, K., Ware, D. 2024. Role of moss and Arabidopsis zinc-fnger homeodomain transcription factors in regulating plant architecture. Plant Biotechnology Reports. 18:223-231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-024-00897-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-024-00897-2

Interpretive Summary: Zinc finger homeodomain transcription factors (ZF-HD TFs) are a small group of genes in Arabidopsis that are important for plant growth and response to stress. Despite their significance, we still don't know much about what they do. In this study, we wanted to learn more about how ZF-HD TFs have evolved and what they do in other plants. We looked at Arabidopsis, sorghum (a type of grain), and moss to see how ZF-HD TFs are similar or different across these species. We found 42 different ZF-HD TF proteins and grouped them into two categories based on their common features. Then, we further divided them into five groups based on their similarities and identified three different patterns in their amino acid sequences. By studying a specific gene in moss, called PpZF-HD1, we found that it helps plants grow and develop, and it's found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells. This suggests that ZF-HD TFs have similar roles in different plants. Although our research is just the beginning of understanding ZF-HD TFs, it gives us a new perspective that will help future scientists learn more about these proteins and their roles in plants.

Technical Abstract: Zinc-finger homeodomain transcription factors (ZF-HD TFs) are relatively a small gene family in Arabidopsis involved in plant development and stress response. However, the biological functions of ZF-HD TFs remain largely undiscovered. Here, we aimed to elucidate the evolutionary history and functional role of ZF-HD TFs in other species, by performing phylogenic analysis and domain and motif identification studies in Arabidopsis, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and moss (Physcomitrella patens). Forty-two ZF-HD TF proteins were classified into two distinct subfamilies based on the conserved ZF Cys/His-rich dimerization and homeodomain (HD) domains. The phylogenetic tree of proteins was further divided into five groups based on the similarity of sequences, and three distinct motifs were defined in the amino acid sequences. Genetic analysis revealed that the moss PpZF-HD1, Pp3c1_15290, gene partially rescued the amiR zf-HD-79 mutant lines at phenotypic and molecular levels. Subcellular localization studies revealed that moss PpZF-HD1 was localized in the cytosol and nuclei. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic complementation revealed that ZF-HD TFs play functional roles in regulating plant architecture, which is conserved in Arabidopsis, sorghum, and moss. Although our study is only a preliminary exploration into ZF-HD TFs, it provides a novel perspective that will help future researchers better understand the biological role of ZF-HD proteins in plants.