Exposure to Low UV-B Dose Induces DNA Double-Strand Breaks Mediated Onset of Endoreduplication in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek Seedlings

• Published in: Plant and cell physiology 2022-04, Vol.63 (4), p.463-483
• Main Authors: De, Sayanti, Jose, Jismon, Pal, Amita, Roy Choudhury, Swarup, Roy, Sujit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DNA - pharmacology; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; DNA Damage; Endoreduplication; Seedlings; Vigna - genetics
• ISSN: 0032-0781; 1471-9053
• DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac012

Abstract Multiple lines of evidence indicate that solar UV-B light acts as an important environmental signal in plants, regulating various cellular and metabolic activities, gene expression, growth and development. Here, we show that low levels of UV-B (4.0 kJ m−2) significantly influence plant response during early seedling development in the tropical legume crop Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek. Exposure to low doses of UV-B showed relatively less growth inhibition yet remarkably enhanced lateral root formation in seedlings. Both low and high (8.0 kJ m−2) doses of UV-B treatment induced DNA double-strand breaks and activated the SOG1-related ATM-ATR-mediated DNA damage response pathway. These effects led to G2-M-phase arrest with a compromised expression of the key cell cycle regulators, including CDKB1;1, CDKB2;1 and CYCB1;1, respectively. However, along with these effects, imbibitional exposure of seeds to a low UV-B dose resulted in enhanced accumulation of FZR1/CCS52A, E2Fa and WEE1 kinase and prominent induction of endoreduplication in 7-day-old seedlings. Low dose of UV-B mediated phenotypical responses, while the onset of endoreduplication appeared to be regulated at least in part via UV-B induced reactive oxygen species accumulation. Transcriptome analyses further revealed a network of co-regulated genes associated with DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and oxidative stress response pathways that are activated upon exposure to low doses of UV-B.