Drought-Responsive ZmFDL1/MYB94 Regulates Cuticle Biosynthesis and Cuticle-Dependent Leaf Permeability. Issue 1 (14th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castorina, Giulia; Domergue, Frédéric; Chiara, Matteo; Zilio, Massimo; Persico, Martina; Ricciardi, Valentina; Horner, David Stephen; Consonni, Gabriella
• Is Part Of: Plant physiology. Volume 184:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2020-07-14
• Subjects: Plant physiology -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.2
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.20.00322
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0889

Abstract

Abstract : The MYB transcription factor FUSED LEAVES1 regulates and abscisic acid influences cuticle biosynthesis and cuticle-mediated drought response during the juvenile phase of maize plant growth. Abstract: In all land plants, the outer surface of aerial parts is covered by the cuticle, a complex lipid layer that constitutes a barrier against damage caused by environmental factors and provides protection against nonstomatal water loss. We show in this study that both cuticle deposition and cuticle-dependent leaf permeability during the juvenile phase of plant development are controlled by the maize ( Zea mays ) transcription factor ZmFUSED LEAVES 1 (FDL1)/MYB94. Biochemical analysis showed altered cutin and wax biosynthesis and deposition in fdl1-1 mutant seedlings at the coleoptile stage. Among cutin compounds, ω-hydroxy fatty acids and polyhydroxy-fatty acids were specifically affected, while the reduction of epicuticular waxes was mainly observed in primary long chain alcohols and, to a minor extent, in long-chain wax esters. Transcriptome analysis allowed the identification of candidate genes involved in lipid metabolism and the assembly of a proposed pathway for cuticle biosynthesis in maize. Lack of ZmFDL1/MYB94 affects the expression of genes located in different modules of the pathway, and we highlighted the correspondence between gene transcriptional variations and biochemical defects. We observed a decrease in cuticle-dependent leaf permeability in maize seedlings exposed to drought as well as abscisic acid treatment, which implies coordinated changes in the transcript levels of ZmFDL1/MYB94 and associated genes. Overall, our results suggest that the response to water stress implies the activation of wax biosynthesis and the involvement of both ZmFDL1/MYB94 and abscisic acid regulatory pathways.