Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Genes (Basel). 2024 Aug 19;15(8):1091. doi: 10.3390/genes15081091.
The genus holds a key phylogenetic position as a sister species to vascular plants, encompassing desiccation-tolerant members. Some species thrive in extremely arid conditions, enduring significant water loss and recovering upon rehydration. Consequently, has emerged as a model system for studying desiccation tolerance in plant science. However, the absence of an efficient genetic transformation system has limited the utility of species as a model. To address this constraint, we developed a nanoparticle-mediated transformation tool utilizing arginine-functionalized nanohydroxyapatites. This biocompatible system enabled the transient expression of the , , and reporter genes in . Establishing a stable genetic transformation technique for holds promise for application to other species. This tool could be instrumental in identifying genetic resources for crop improvement and understanding genome-level regulatory mechanisms governing desiccation tolerance in species. Furthermore, this tool might aid in identifying key regulatory genes associated with desiccation tolerance, offering potential applications in enhancing drought-sensitive crops and ensuring sustainable food production.
该属作为与维管植物的姊妹种，占据着关键的系统发育位置，其中包括耐旱成员。一些物种在极其干旱的条件下茁壮成长，能够耐受大量水分流失，并在重新水合后恢复。因此，已成为植物科学中研究耐旱性的模式系统。然而，缺乏高效的遗传转化系统限制了该属物种作为模式的应用。为了解决这一限制，我们开发了一种利用精氨酸功能化纳米羟基磷灰石的纳米颗粒介导的转化工具。这种生物相容性系统使 、 、 和 报告基因在 中能够瞬时表达。为 建立稳定的遗传转化技术有望应用于其他 物种。该工具可用于鉴定用于作物改良的遗传资源，并深入了解控制 物种耐旱性的基因组水平调控机制。此外，该工具可能有助于鉴定与耐旱性相关的关键调控基因，在提高对干旱敏感的作物和确保可持续粮食生产方面具有潜在应用。
