Single-cell genetic models to evaluate orphan gene function: The case of QQS regulating carbon and nitrogen allocation

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science 2023-03, Vol.14, p.1126139-1126139
• Main Authors: Wang, Lei, Tonsager, Andrew J, Zheng, Wenguang, Wang, Yingjun, Stessman, Dan, Fang, Wei, Stenback, Kenna E, Campbell, Alexis, Tanvir, Rezwan, Zhang, Jinjiang, Cothron, Samuel, Wan, Dongli, Meng, Yan, Spalding, Martin H, Nikolau, Basil J, Li, Ling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: HAP2; HAP3; HAP5; NF-YC homologs; orphan gene QQS; Plant Science; single-cell systems
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1126139

We demonstrate two synthetic single-cell systems that can be used to better understand how the acquisition of an orphan gene can affect complex phenotypes. The Arabidopsis orphan gene, ( ) has been identified as a regulator of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) partitioning across multiple plant species. modulates this important biotechnological trait by replacing NF-YB (Nuclear Factor Y, subunit B) in its interaction with NF-YC. In this study, we expand on these prior findings by developing and strains, to refactor the functional interactions between QQS and NF-Y subunits to affect modulations in C and N allocation. Expression of in modulates C ( , starch) and N ( , protein) allocation by affecting interactions between NF-YC and NF-YB subunits. Studies in revealed similar functional interactions between QQS and the NF-YC homolog (HAP5), modulating C ( , glycogen) and N ( , protein) allocation. However, in both the NF-YA (HAP2) and NF-YB (HAP3) homologs appear to have redundant functions to enable QQS and HAP5 to affect C and N allocation. The genetically tractable systems that developed herein exhibit the plasticity to modulate highly complex phenotypes.