Groundbreaking insights into the genetic toolkit underlying plant adaptation to land
Sequencing the genomes of over a hundred liverworts has uncovered ancient plant adaptation mechanisms, with researchers pinpointing genes linked to temperature and rainfall changes.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, have contributed to this significant breakthrough in understanding how plants adapted to terrestrial environments in an international study of liverworts.
Most of the liverworts sourced from the UK for this international genetic study were collected as part of a citizen science project, The Great British Liverwort Hunt, run during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2021.
The full study, a collaborative effort, led by scientists from the Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales (LRSV), Université de Toulouse and involving several other institutions and research teams across the globe was first published a preprint on BioRxiv and now in its final form in Nature Genetics.
The study focuses on the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a non-vascular plant that provides new insights into how plants evolved to live on land. Dr David Hoey and George Greiff, then working at the Sainsbury Laboratory with Dr Sebastian Schornack led the collection, maintenance and characterisation many plants from all over the UK.
Genetic Toolkit for Land Adaptation
The study represents a valuable genomic resource for the scientific community, including the first genomic and physical collection covering the intra-specific diversity of a bryophyte. The research team collected and analysed more than 130 different accessions of Marchantia polymorpha from diverse environments. Notably, some of the Marchantia accessions were collected as part of a citizen science project known as The Great British Liverwort Hunt, facilitated by the Sainsbury Laboratory Outreach Consortium, emphasising the collaborative effort and the possibilities for the public to contribute to advancing scientific knowledge.
Dr David Hoey, who led the citizen science project to collect some of the plants, commented, "Our study sheds light on the remarkable genetic toolkit that enabled plants to conquer land. The collection of plants with their different abilities to adapt to their environment will also serve as an excellent source for future studies into their immune system and how they interact with microbes."
By studying the plant's genome, they identified key adaptive features shared with flowering plants, such as peroxidases and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins. These genes likely played a crucial role in the adaptation of the first land plants to terrestrial habitats. The study also revealed that Marchantia polymorpha possesses lineage-specific accessory genes absent from seed plants. These unique genes contribute to the plant's ability to thrive in various environments, highlighting the evolutionary diversity within the plant kingdom.
Comprehensive Pangenome Analysis
By combining the genome information from all collected Marchantia lines, the researchers constructed a comprehensive map of the Marchantia polymorpha genome, which includes both core and accessory genes. This pangenome (complete set of genes for a species or population) provides a valuable resource for understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of this species. By performing genome-environment association studies, the team identified specific genes associated with adaptation to temperature and rainfall variations. These findings underscore the importance of genetic diversity in enabling plants to cope with changing environmental conditions.
Dr Sebastian Schornack said: "The discovery of unique genetic variations in Marchantia polymorpha highlights the evolutionary ingenuity of plants. This research not only enhances our knowledge of plant evolution but also provides valuable insights for future agricultural innovations."
Horizontal Gene Transfer and Environmental Adaptation
The study also found evidence that Marchantia received genes from fungi, a process known as horizontal gene transfer. This transfer likely contributed to the plant's ability to adapt to terrestrial environments, illustrating the complex interactions between different organisms in the evolutionary history of land plants.
Implications for Plant Science
This groundbreaking research provides a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of plant adaptation to land. The findings have significant implications for plant science, particularly in the context of climate change and the need for crops that can withstand diverse environmental stresses. By uncovering the genetic mechanisms behind plant adaptation, this study opens new avenues for improving crop resilience and sustainability.
About the Sainsbury Laboratory
The Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge is a world-renowned research institute dedicated to advancing our understanding of plant biology. Through cutting-edge research and collaboration, the laboratory aims to address global challenges in agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.
