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Flood-induced hypoxia (low oxygen concentration) is increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, leading to significant crop yield losses and posing a major threat to global food security. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is a highly conserved, cysteine-rich homodimer that regulates the cellular level of the most abundant nitric oxide (NO) reservoir S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). GSNOR plays a fundamental role in NO homeostasis, as well as in plant development and stress responses, particularly hypoxia. This review summarizes the critical position of GSNOR in the plant hypoxia regulation network. We discuss how GSNOR controls the intracellular pool of S-nitrosothiols (SNOs), especially GSNO, thereby mitigating cytotoxic nitrosative stress while fine-tuning NO-mediated posttranslational modifications (PTMs), such as S-nitrosylation. Furthermore, we explored the regulation of GSNOR activity through various mechanisms, including oxidative PTMs and protein‒protein interactions. Targeted manipulation of GSNOR activity represents a promising strategy for enhancing flood tolerance in agriculturally important crops. We propose possible approaches for GSNOR manipulation and highlight urgent questions that must be addressed in future research to improve flood resilience in agricultural systems and protect global food security.

Ginseng's prolonged development renders it susceptible to environmental stresses. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are essential for plant resistance to abiotic stress. Our previous study demonstrated that PgLEA2-50, a member of the LEA protein family, plays a significant role in stress resistance. In this study, we employed IP-MS, bioinformatics, and molecular interaction assays to investigate the mechanisms underlying its stress resistance. PgLEA2-50 formed complex networks with multiple interacting proteins, which were enriched in stress-related processes such as gibberellin (GA) signal transduction, saponin biosynthesis, and the oxidative stress response. Transcriptome analysis revealed that its interacting targets exhibited significant responses to abiotic stress at the transcriptional level. An investigation of the DELLA protein PgRGA4 showed that it was down-regulated following GA induction, with its transcriptional activity inhibited under stress conditions. PgRGA4 was found to be localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, and co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) confirmed its interaction with PgLEA2-50, suggesting that PgLEA2-50 indirectly regulates GA-mediated stress resistance. This study provides a ginseng-specific case for the role of LEA proteins in stress resistance and identifies a novel gene target for molecular breeding in medicinal plants.

Plant elicitor peptides (Peps), derived from PROPEP protein precursors, are stress-induced signaling molecules that enhance plant immunity. While previous studies of Pep-mediated immune signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana have focused on the roles of AtPROPEP1-3 genes in bacterial and fungal resistance, this study identifies the AtPROPEP6 gene as a contributor to defense against the Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). In silico promoter analysis revealed enrichment of W box motifs, suggesting potential regulation by WRKY transcription factors associated with plant immune responses. Unlike other PROPEP gene family members, AtPROPEP6 shows specific upregulation in response to ascr#18, a nematode-derived molecular pattern, but not to other pathogen elicitors. Transgenic constitutive overexpression of AtPROPEP6 in A. thaliana significantly reduced gall formation and total nematode numbers and delayed nematode development. These phenotypes correlated with AtPROPEP6 transcript abundance in three independent transgenic lines and were accompanied by elevated basal AtPR1a expression. Although AtPROPEP6-overexpressing plants exhibited shorter roots, the extent of root length reduction did not align with transgene expression levels, and the number of root tips available for infection remained unchanged. Our findings expand the repertoire of defense-associated A. thaliana PROPEPs beyond AtPROPEP1-3 and identify AtPROPEP6 as a paralog contributing to plant defense against nematodes.

The CELL DIVISION SUPPRESSOR (CDS) gene encodes a conserved YPEL-family zinc-finger protein whose biological role in plants has remained largely uncharacterized. Here, we characterized the Arabidopsis CDS gene and demonstrated that its protein contains a conserved metal-binding motif and a canonical nuclear localization sequence shared across YPEL proteins. Although CDS mRNA is constitutively expressed in all tissues, promoter-reporter analyses revealed that CDS protein accumulates only weakly and is absent in meristematic cells, suggesting strong posttranscriptional regulation. Overexpression of CDS (35S::CDS) caused severe growth inhibition, disrupted root meristem organization, reduced cell number, enlarged cell size, and decreased CYCB1;1 activity, indicating that elevated CDS suppresses mitotic progression and promotes entry into the endocycle. A Phalaenopsis ortholog, PaCDS, displayed similar expression patterns and recapitulated the Arabidopsis overexpression phenotypes, demonstrating evolutionary conservation of CDS function across monocots and dicots. Subcellular localization analysis showed that CDS enters the nucleus specifically in dividing cells and associates with DNA during mitosis. Together, these findings reveal CDS as a conserved negative regulator of cell division that modulates meristem activity by repressing the mitotic cell cycle and promoting endocycle initiation. This work uncovers a previously unrecognized role of YPEL-family proteins in plant cell cycle control and provides a foundation for manipulating growth and organ development across species.

In natural environments, plants are exposed to several abiotic stresses. Although plant responses to individual stressors have been well characterized, our knowledge of their responses to combined stressors is limited. In this study, we have analyzed the transcriptional responses of Arabidopsis to a combination of high light and cold stresses, because these conditions are considered major stressors that impact the same target, photosynthesis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that cold-activated genes can be divided into the following two groups: (1) genes whose expression is enhanced by high light and (2) genes whose expression is not enhanced by high light. The first group includes photoprotection-related genes, such as ELIP2 and CHS, and the second group includes DREB1A/CBF3-activated frost tolerance genes, which are associated with their physiological roles. Our findings help to elucidate the molecular machinery involved in plant acclimation during the winter season.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), an indoleamine with a dual evolutionary legacy in animals and plants, has transcended its initial classification as a secondary metabolite to emerge as a central regulator of plant stress adaptation. This review moves beyond cataloging stress-associated effects to propose a unified framework for serotonin as a dynamic signaling and metabolic hub. I synthesize evidence that serotonin's role is defined not merely by its antioxidant capacity, but by its sophisticated integration into the core stress-signaling circuitry of plants. The key to this function is its inducible biosynthesis via the tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H) pathway, which is activated by diverse stressors through reactive oxygen species (ROS), phytohormone, and calcium-dependent signals. I critically analyze its multifaceted mechanisms: (1) direct and indirect ROS scavenging; (2) precise modulation of phytohormone networks (auxin, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid), where it acts less as a hormone and more as a hormone signal modulator, notably fine-tuning root architecture and stomatal aperture; (3) regulation of ion transporter activity (e.g., SOS1, HMAs) for ionic homeostasis; and (4) epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming of stress-responsive genes. A dedicated section clarifies the synergistic yet distinct partnership with melatonin, distinguishing serotonin's rapid, localized actions from melatonin's longer-term, systemic roles. I further explore serotonin's emerging functions in biotic stress as an antimicrobial compound and defense pathway potentiator. This integrative synthesis aims to reframe serotonin from a protective molecule to a master regulator at the nexus of plant stress perception and adaptive response.

This study investigates the electrophysiological activity of Pinus halepensis to determine whether electrical responses differ among tree organs. Weekly bioelectric voltage measurements were conducted over one year in fifteen trees located in Gátova (Valencia, Spain), comparing electrical potentials between woody (trunk and twigs) and fine tissues (needles). Stainless-steel and platinum electrodes were used to record voltage signals, which were analyzed through linear regression and mixed-effects models. Results showed that voltages in the trunk were consistently higher than in the needles, yet both exhibited synchronized seasonal dynamics driven by shared physiological and environmental factors. The needle-to-trunk voltage ratio remained stable at approximately 60%, except during a summer drought, indicating coherent electrical coupling across organs. A strong linear relationship (R² = 0.98) confirmed that trunk signals serve as reliable surrogates for needle potentials. Organ-level analysis revealed a clear voltage hierarchy (trunk > twig > needle), largely attributable to anatomical and impedance differences. These findings identify the trunk as the optimal electrode placement site, enabling robust, non-destructive, and continuous measurements that can support future applications in wildfire risk assessment and forest monitoring.

Previous studies have shown that facility autonomy, especially control over budget allocation, and management practices can have a modest positive effect on health facility performance, but the evidence is limited and often qualitative. Data from the evaluation of the Nigeria States Health Investment Project (NSHIP), a study that examined the effects of direct facility and performance-based financing, offers a novel opportunity to quantitatively examine these relationships in the context of a lower middle-income country. We utilize non-parametric statistics and regression methods to test the hypothesis that autonomy, supervision, and management affected facility performance. Results show that facilities with greater autonomy, more budget control, and better management practices generally outperform their peers on a range of facility readiness and service delivery measures. For example, regressions show that facilities with high autonomy held an additional 2.1 outreach sessions per month and facilities with a business plan offered 1.8 additional outreach services (p < 0.05). Supervision practices, including visit frequency and a quantitative checklist, are associated with 26% higher productivity and up to a 29% increase in equipment availability (p < 0.05). Sensitivity analyses validated that results are robust. We conclude that facility-level autonomy and especially budget control can improve primary healthcare facility readiness and service availability. Further, management practices that are reinforced through supportive supervision and routine monitoring can maximize the benefits that accrue from even small amounts of incremental financing. This shows that these policies and practices can contribute critically to efficiently achieving the goals of universal healthcare policies in the context of limited resources.

The existence of consciousness or mind-like properties in plants remains a debated topic in plant biology. This study examined a hypothesis involving nonfrequency T-Consciousness Fields, proposing that information transmitted through these fields may influence plant responses. Using the Faradarmani Consciousness Field (T1) and the T-Consciousness Charge Field (T2), two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design to assess their effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Bahar) under drought stress. The germination test was carried out in March, and the subsequent pot experiment was conducted in September 2025 in Gorgan and Guilan Provinces, Iran. In the first experiment, seeds were exposed to PEG-induced drought stress (0, -0.6, and -1.2  MPa) for 8 d, with or without T1 and T2, to evaluate germination and early growth. In the second experiment, seedlings grown in pots were subjected to three weeks of drought by withholding irrigation, with untreated plants serving as controls. Growth parameters, chlorophyll, carotenoid, total protein, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. The results obtained were processed statistically via one-way ANOVA. Severe drought reduced final and mean daily germination by about 40%, whereas T2 significantly improved both (p < 0.05). At -0.6 MPa, shoot and root lengths increased by approximately 70% and 46%, respectively, with significant greater enhancement under T2 (p < 0.05), whereas effects under more severe stress were limited. Under nonstress conditions, T2 markedly increased seedling growth and vigor, with 2-3-fold increases in root and shoot dry weights and 3-4-fold increases in seedling vigor indices compared with those of the control. In the pot experiments, T2 increased shoot length by ~25% and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents by ~60%, while T1 increased protein content by ~25%. Both fields elevated SOD-specific activity by ~50%. Overall, T1 and T2 improved germination, growth, and biochemical traits, indicating their potential to mitigate drought stress in wheat; thus, their application could be recommended as a qualitative strategy to enhance wheat performance under water-limited conditions.