Natural variation at XND1 impacts root hydraulics and trade-off for stress responses in Arabidopsis

Tang, N., Shahzad, Z., Lonjon, F., Loudet, O., Vailleau, F. and Maurel, C. (2018) Natural variation at XND1 impacts root hydraulics and trade-off for stress responses in Arabidopsis. Nature Communications, 9, 3884. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06430-8) (PMID:30250259) (PMCID:PMC6155316)

Abstract

Soil water uptake by roots is a key component of plant performance and adaptation to adverse environments. Here, we use a genome-wide association analysis to identify the XYLEM NAC DOMAIN 1 (XND1) transcription factor as a negative regulator of Arabidopsis root hydraulic conductivity (Lp). The distinct functionalities of a series of natural XND1 variants and a single nucleotide polymorphism that determines XND1 translation efficiency demonstrate the significance of XND1 natural variation at species-wide level. Phenotyping of xnd1 mutants and natural XND1 variants show that XND1 modulates Lp through action on xylem formation and potential indirect effects on aquaporin function and that it diminishes drought stress tolerance. XND1 also mediates the inhibition of xylem formation by the bacterial elicitor flagellin and counteracts plant infection by the root pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. Thus, genetic variation at XND1, and xylem differentiation contribute to resolving the major trade-off between abiotic and biotic stress resistance in Arabidopsis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-11-BSV6-018). The IJPB and LIPM benefit from the support of the LabEx Saclay Plant Sciences-SPS (ANR-10-LABX-0040-SPS) and LabEx TULIP (ANR-10-LABX-41), respectively.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shahzad, Zaigham
• Authors: Tang, N., Shahzad, Z., Lonjon, F., Loudet, O., Vailleau, F., and Maurel, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Journal Name: Nature Communications
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• ISSN (Online): 2041-1723
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Nature Communications 9(1):3884
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License