Professor Yuanqing Jiang

Contact information:

Sci. Bldg, North Campus

College of Life Sciences

Northwest A& F University

Yangling 712100

Shaanxi, China

E-mail: jiangyq@nwafu.edu.cn

Research Interests:

Plants are frequently challenged with a variety of abiotic stresses, including drought, high salinity, cold and heat. Understanding how plants respond and adapt to these stress conditions will help us to develop stress-tolerant crops, and to meet the increasing demand on the quality and quantity of food. In the past few decades, great progress has been achieved in identifying some of the key genes and signaling pathways involved in abiotic stress responses, mostly through working with the model plant-Arabidopsis. However, much is still unknown.

Calcium is the second messenger in plant cells, and calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) and their targets (CBL-interacting protein kinases [CIPKs]) as well as calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPKs) are emerging paradigm for Ca2+ decoding in plants. Transcription factors, like those of WRKY, bZIP, MYB, and NAC families, have been found to play very important roles in plant response to many different stress conditions and hormone stimuli. Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important edible oil-producing crop in both China and worldwide, and its genome demonstrates an overall of more than 85% homology to that of Arabidopsis, facilitating our research. Through high-throughput microarray analysis with both Arabidopsis and Canola, combined with Arabidopsis mutant characterization, we have identified a few novel calcium-related protein kinase genes as well as a few new transcription factor genes that regulate plant response to ABA, salinity, drought tolerance and leaf senescence. To identify the target genes of those novel protein kinases and transcription factors, we have used yeast two-hybrid and ChIP, EMSA assays to identify and elucidate protein-protein interaction network and signaling pathways. Using a combination of physiological, biochemical, and molecular biology strategies, we are now dissecting their functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our work will help to better understand the signaling pathways in plants under stress conditions and also to improve crops’ tolerance to abiotic stresses in the future.

Another interested topic is seed oil accumulation and seed coat development in canola. We hope to identify novel genes regulating the two processes and use them to improve the seed oil content.

Educational Experiences:

3/2009-11/2010: post-doc, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California-Berkeley, USA

12/2007-2/2009: post-doc, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada

09/2003-11/2007: Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada

09/1998-06/2001: M.Sc., Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, China Agricultural University

09/1994-06/1998: B.A., Soil & Agrochemistry, Hunan Agricultural University, China

Professional Experiences:

12/2010-present: College of Life Sciences, Northwest A& F University

Identification and functional characterization of genes modulating abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and canola.

Seed coat development and seed oil accumulation of canola.

3/2009-11/2010:

post-doc, Plant molecular biology, University of California-Berkeley

Characterization of calcium-associated protein kinases in abiotic stress signalings

12/2007-02/2009  post-doc, University of Alberta, Canada

-Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of Brassica napus (Canola) seed coat development and its modification;

-Functional characterization of canola cellulose biosynthesis-related BnCESA in seed coat development.

09/2003-11/2007  University of Alberta, Canada

- Microarray and 2-D gel analysis of Arabidopsis root response to salt stress.

- Functional characterization of three WRKY and one bHLH transcription factor genes in Arabidopsis.

08/2001-08/2003 Research Assistant, Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing, China

- Almond pistil cDNA library and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) analysis

- Cloning and functional analysis of MADS-box and homeotic box genes from almond pistils

-Cloning of S-RNase genes of over 20 almond cultivars and identification of self-incompatibility genotypes.

05/1999-06/2001 China Agricultural University, Beijing, China  

- Expression patterns of three pea actin gene isoforms, and role of 3' untranslated regions of isoactins on their expression in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana;

- Participated in the cloning and phylogenetic analysis of actin genes from millet (Setaria italica) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

03/1997-08/1997 Hunan Agricultural University

- Measurement and grading of different forms of phosphorus in main Hunan soils and rice cultivars.

Courses taught:

Cell Biology, Cell Biology Experiments, Advanced Cell Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Experimental Techniques of Cell Biology, Progress in Plant Molecular Biology, Progress in Plant Sciences.

Fundings:

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi province, MOE New Faculty Funding, and Cooperative Funding.

Selected publications: *corresponding author

Yao L, Yang B, Xian B, Chen B, Yan J, Chen Q, Gao S, Zhao, Han F, Xu J, Jiang Y-Q (2020). The R2R3-MYB transcription factor BnaMYB111L from rapeseed modulates reactive oxygen species accumulation and hypersensitive-like cell death. Plant Physiol Biochem 147: 280-288 (IF 3.404)

Zhang H, Liu D, Yang B, Liu W-Z, Mu B, Song H, Chen B, Li Y, Ren D, Deng H, and Jiang Y-Q* (2019) Arabidopsis CPK6 positively regulates ABA signaling and drought tolerance through phosphorylating ABA-responsive element binding factors. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71(1):188-203, doi: 10.1093/jxb/erz432 (IF="5.36)

Pan G, Zhang H, Chen B, Gao S, Yang B, Jiang Y-Q*. Rapeseed calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK6L modulates reactive oxygen species and cell death through interacting and phosphorylating RBOHD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2019, 518(4):719-725 (IF="2.7)

Rehmani MS, Chen Q, Yan J,  Cui X, Gao S, Niu F, Yang L, Yang B*, Jiang Y-Q^*. A novel stress-responsive BnaNAL1 transcriptional activator in oilseed rape positively modulates reactive oxygen species production and cell death. Environ Exp Bot. 2019. 163: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2019.04.004 (IF 3.666)

Yang L, Ye C, Zhao Y, Cheng X, Wang Y, Jiang Y-Q^*, Yang B^* (2018). An oilseed rape WRKY-type transcription factor regulates ROS accumulation and leaf senescence in  Nicotiana benthamiana  and  Arabidopsis  through modulating transcription of  RbohD  and  RbohF . Planta. 247(6):1323-1338  (IF 3.36)

Wang W, Zhang H, Wei X, Yang L, Yang B, Zhang L, Li J^*, Jiang Y-Q^* (2018). Functional characterization of calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) 2 gene from oilseed rape ( Brassica napus  L.) in regulating reactive oxygen species signaling and cell death control. Gene. 651:49-56. (IF 2.4)

Yan J, Tong T, Li X, Chen Q, Dai M, Niu F, Yang M, Deyholos MK, Yang B, Jiang Y-Q^* (2018). A novel NAC-type transcription factor from oilseed rape modulates reactive oxygen species accumulation and cell death. Plant Cell Physiol, 59(2):290-303 (IF 4.76)

Chen Q, Niu F, Yan J,  Chen B, Wu F, Guo X, Yang B^* and Jiang Y-Q^* (2017) . Oilseed rape NAC56 transcription factor modulates reactive oxygen species accumulation and hypersensitive response-like cell death. Physiol Plant. 160(2): 209-221 (IF 3.52)

Chen B, Niu F, Liu W, Yang B, Zhang J, Ma J, Cheng H, Han F, Jiang Y-Q^* (2016) Identification, cloning and characterization of R2R3-MYB gene family in canola ( Brassica napus  L.) identify a novel member modulating ROS accumulation and hypersensitive-like cell death. DNA Res, 23(2), 101–114 (IF 5.477)

Niu F, Wang C,  Yan J, Guo X, Wu F, Yang B, Deyholos MK,  Jiang Y-Q^* (2016). Functional characterization of NAC55 transcription factor from oilseed rape ( Brassica napus  L.) as a novel transcriptional activator modulating reactive oxygen species accumulation and cell death. Plant Mol Biol, 92(1-2):89-104 (IF 3.91)

Liu W-Z, Deng M, Li L, Yang B, Li H, Deng H, Jiang Y-Q* (2015) Rapeseed calcineurin B-like protein CBL4, interacting with CBL-interacting protein kinase CIPK24, modulates salt tolerance in plants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 467:467-471 (IF 2.37)

Li L, Ye C, Zhao R, Li X, Liu W-Z, Wu F, Yan J, Jiang Y-Q, Yang B*(2015). Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) 4 from rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a novel member inducing ROS accumulation and cell death. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2015, 467(4):792-7 (IF 2.37)

Wang B, Guo X, Ma J, Niu F, Zhang H, Yang B, Liang W, Han F, Jiang Y-Q*(2015). Identification, cloning and analysis of plant-specific NAC gene family in canola ( Brassica napus  L.) reveal two novel members mediating programmed cell death. Plant Mol Biol, 87(4-5):395-411  (IF= 4.1)

Sun Y, Wang C, Yang B, Hao X, Liang W, Wu F, Niu F, Yan J, Zhang H, Wang B, Deyholos MK, Jiang Y-Q * (2014) Identification and functional analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) genes in canola (Brassica napus L.). J Exp Bot. 65(8): 2171-2188 (IF= 5.8)

Zhang H, Liu W, Zhang Y, Deng M, Niu F, Yang B , Wang X, Wang B, Liang W, Deyholos MK, and Jiang Y-Q *(2014) Identification, expression and interaction analyses of calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) genes in canola (Brassica napus L.). BMC Genomics. 15:211 (IF ="4.0)

Zhang H, Yang B, Liu W-Z, Li H, Wang L, Deng M, Wang B, Liang W, Deyholos MK, Jiang Y-Q* (2014) Identification and characterization of CBL and CIPK gene families in canola (Brassica napus L.). BMC Plant Biol, 14:8 (IF ="4.0)"

Niu F, Wang B, Wu F, Yan J, Li L, Wang C, Wang Y, Yang B, Jiang Y-Q^* (2014)

Canola ( Brassica napus  L.)  NAC103  transcription factor gene is a novel player inducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and cell death in plants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 454:30-35  (IF ="2.37)

Yan J, Niu F, Liu WZ, Zhang H, Wang B, Yang B, Lan W, Che Y, Luan S, Jiang Y-Q*  (2014) Arabidopsis CIPK14 positively regulates glucose response. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 450(4):1679-83  (IF ="2.37)

Zhou L, Lan W, Jiang Y-Q, Fang W, Luan S (2014) A calcium-dependent protein kinase interacts with and activates a calcium channel to regulate pollen tube growth. Mol Plant. 7(2):369-76（IF="6.13）

Liang W, Yang B, Yu B, Zhou Z, Li C, Jia M, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Wu F, Zhang H, Wang B, Deyholos MK, Jiang Y-Q* (2013) Identification and analysis of MKK and MPK gene families in canola ( Brassica napus  L.). BMC Genomics, 14: 392 (impact factor 4.0)

Zhou L, Lan W, Jiang Y-Q, Fang W, Luan S (2014) A calcium-dependent protein kinase interacts with and activates a calcium channel to regulate pollen tube growth. Mol Plant. 7(2):369-76（IF="6.13）

Jiang Y-Q, Deyholos MK. Transcriptome analysis of secondary-wall-enriched seed coat tissues of canola ( Brassica napus  L). Plant Cell Rep, 29(4): 327-342 (impact factor: 2.5)

Jiang Y-Q, Yang B, Deyholos MK. Functional characterization of the Arabidopsis bHLH92 transcription factor in abiotic stress. Mol Genet Genomics, 2009, 282(5):503–516 (impact factor: 2.9)

Jiang Y-Q, Deyholos MK. Functional characterization of Arabidopsis NaCl-inducible WRKY25 and WRKY33 transcription factors in abiotic stress. Plant Mol Biol 2009, 69(1-2):91-105 (impact factor: 4.0)

Jiang Y-Q, Yang B, Harris NS, Deyholos MK. Comparative proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis root response to NaCl stress. J. Exp. Bot. 2007, 58(13):3591-3607 (Impact Factor: 5.8)

Jiang Y-Q, Deyholos MK. Comprehensive transcriptional profiling of NaCl-stressed Arabidopsis roots reveals novel classes of responsive genes. BMC Plant Biol. 2006, 6:25. (Impact Factor: 4.0)

Jiang Y-Q, Ma R-C. Generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from almond ( Prunus dulcis  Mill.) pistils. Sexual Plant Reprod. 2003, 16(4): 197-207 (Impact Factor: 2.1)

Jiang Y-Q, Zhao W-L. Expression and phylogenetic analysis of pea ( Pisum sativum ) actin isoforms. J. Integr Plant Biol, 2002, 44(12), 1456-1461 (IF: 3.7)

Yang B, Jiang Y-Q, Rahman NH, Deyholos MK, and Kav NNV. Identification and  expression analysis of WRKY transcription factor genes in canola ( Brassica napus ) in response to fungal pathogens and hormone treatments. BMC Plant Biology, 2009, 6(1): 8 (Impact Factor: 4.0)

Lan WZ, Lee SC, Che YF, Jiang YQ, Luan S. Mechanistic Analysis of AKT1 Regulation by the CBL-CIPK-PP2CA Interactions. Mol Plant. 2011, 4(3): 527-536(IF: 6.1)

Other Academic Activities:

Invited referee for Journal of Experimental Botany, Plant Mol Biol, Proteomics, BMC Plant Biology, BMC Genomics, Plant Physiol Biochem, Planta, BBA-Proteins and Proteomics, Plant Science etc.