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The Glycine-Rich RNA-Binding Protein Is a Vital Post-Transcriptional Regulator in Crops - PubMed

  • ️Sun Jan 01 2023

Review

The Glycine-Rich RNA-Binding Protein Is a Vital Post-Transcriptional Regulator in Crops

Ke Cheng et al. Plants (Basel). 2023.

Abstract

Glycine-rich RNA binding proteins (GR-RBPs), a branch of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), play integral roles in regulating various aspects of RNA metabolism regulation, such as RNA processing, transport, localization, translation, and stability, and ultimately regulate gene expression and cell fate. However, our current understanding of GR-RBPs has predominantly been centered on Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant for investigating plant growth and development. Nonetheless, an increasing body of literature has emerged in recent years, shedding light on the presence and functions of GRPs in diverse crop species. In this review, we not only delineate the distinctive structural domains of plant GR-RBPs but also elucidate several contemporary mechanisms of GR-RBPs in the post-transcriptional regulation of RNA. These mechanisms encompass intricate processes, including RNA alternative splicing, polyadenylation, miRNA biogenesis, phase separation, and RNA translation. Furthermore, we offer an exhaustive synthesis of the diverse roles that GR-RBPs fulfill within crop plants. Our overarching objective is to provide researchers and practitioners in the field of agricultural genetics with valuable insights that may inform and guide the application of plant genetic engineering for enhanced crop development and sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: crops; glycine-rich RNA-binding protein; liquid–liquid phase separation; plant development; post-transcriptional regulation; stress response.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Structural domain characterization of four classes of glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GR-RBPs) in plants. RRM: RNA Recognition Motif; GR: Glycine-rich domain; CSD: Cold shock domain; CCHC: CCHC-Zinc finger.

Figure 2
Figure 2

RBGD5 affects the selection of polyadenylation sites at the 3′ end of Arabidopsis FCA precursor mRNAs. The shift of the Poly(A) site from distal to proximal when RBGD5 is mutated results in upregulation of FLC and delayed flowering.

Figure 3
Figure 3

AtGRP7 directly binds pri-miRNAs (pri-miR398b, pri-miR398c, pri-miR172b, pri-miR159a, pri-miR390) in vivo, affecting their processing. Overexpression of AtGRP7 results in an increase in some pri-miRNAs and a decrease in their corresponding mature miRNAs.

Figure 4
Figure 4

When the temperature changes violently between hot (red thermometer) and cold (blue thermometer), phosphorylated GRP7 in the cytoplasm can be used as a scaffold protein to recruit RNA and other proteins to form SGs by liquid–liquid phase separation, which facilitates RNA assembly and subsequently blocks translation to ensure normal root elongation.

Figure 5
Figure 5

SlRBP1 interacts with SleIF4A2 to together maintain chloroplast function by ensuring translation of photosynthesis-associated transcripts. Loss-of-function of SlRBP1 results in impaired chloroplast ultrastructure, downregulated photosynthesis rate, and dwarf tomato plants with yellow leaves.

Figure 6
Figure 6

Overview of the functional roles of GR-RBPs in crop plants. GR-RBPs in crops can not only help crops better resist stress responses (cold, heat, salt, drought, virus, and pest infection), but also regulate plant development, such as vegetative growth, flowering time, and fruit development.

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