Journal of plant physiology最新文献

{"title":"Heat-induced chloroplast, mitochondria and plasma membrane ROS generation and modification of antioxidant activities in Hordeum vulgare leaves of different age","authors":"Natallia Pshybytko ,&nbsp;Vadim Demidchik","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increased temperature is one of the most important environmental factors affecting plant life. Here, the effect of heat (40 °C, 3 h) on thylakoid O₂ production and mitochondrial O₂ consumption, H₂O₂ and superoxide generation, an accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in organelles, ascorbate peroxidase activities, redox state of ascorbate and glutathione pools were investigated in the developing primary leaf of <em>Hordeum vulgare</em> L. (4-, 7- and 11-day-old seedlings: ‘young’, ‘mature’ and ‘aging’ leaf, respectively). It was found that heat inhibited chloroplast O₂-evolving activity in the leaf of all ages. Heat increased respiration in young leaf and decreased it in 7- and 11-day-old seedlings. In chloroplasts, heat mainly increased the ROS production in aging leaf although it did not cause accumulation of MDA (marker of lipid peroxidation). These effects were accompanied by enhanced ROS production and accumulation of MDA in mitochondria in all age groups. Heat-induced generation of ROS in chloroplasts of older leaf caused activation of ascorbate peroxidase, resulting in a decrease in the amount of ascorbate. At the same time, the reduced glutathione content was increased in heated leaf of all ages with partially high levels in older leaf. Heat also activated NADPH oxidase in leaves of 4-day-old seedlings but not in older leaf that can be reminiscent of elevated NADPH oxidase activity in growth tissues. The discovered generation of ROS and other effects were analyzed in the context of the heat-induced modification of photosynthetic electron flows in the developing primary leaf of barley, which we previously revealed. Schemes of possible heat-induced reactions for different stages of leaf development were proposed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154650"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145505175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ALA improves salt tolerance of strawberry by alleviating the negative regulation of FaMYB44 on FaCLC expression","authors":"Bo Wei,&nbsp;Jianting Zhang,&nbsp;Liangju Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Strawberry (<em>Fragaria</em> × <em>ananassa</em> Duch.) is sensitive to salt stress. The application of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) can induce <em>chloride channel</em> (<em>CLC</em>) gene expression, which promotes Cl⁻ retention in roots with less translocation to shoots, thereby improving the salt tolerance of plants. However, the underlying transcriptional regulatory mechanism remains unknown. In this study, 23 <em>FaCLC</em> genes were identified in the strawberry genome, which were classified into two subclasses and six subgroups. NaCl stress stimulated the expression of <em>FaCLC-b1</em>/<em>c4</em>/<em>e3</em> in the leaves and roots of strawberry and ALA further promoted the gene expression under salt stress. NaCl and ALA activated the transcriptional activity of three gene promoters, as detected by using <em>β-glucuronidase</em> (<em>GUS</em>) reporter gene. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that FaCLC-b1 and FaCLC-c4 are tonoplast localized proteins. Overexpression of <em>FaCLC-b1</em> and <em>FaCLC-c4</em> in tobaccos improved the salt tolerance of transgenic plants with more Cl⁻ retention in the roots and less accumulation in the leaves. It was found that the NO₃⁻ content was increased by ALA treatment. Moreover, we identified a nucleus-localized transcription factor FaMYB44. Verification by yeast one-hybrid assay (Y1H), dual-luciferase reporter (LUC), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that FaMYB44 can recognize the MBS elements of the promoter of <em>FaCLC-c4</em> and negatively regulate the target gene expression. NaCl stress induced <em>FaMYB44</em> expression in strawberry roots, while ALA suppressed its expression. Overexpression of <em>FaMYB44</em> in tobacco resulted in increased Cl⁻ accumulation in the leaves and impaired the plants. FaMYB44 can bind to the promoter of <em>FaCLC-c4</em> and depress its expression, while ALA inhibited <em>FaMYB44</em> expression, thereby alleviating the suppression of FaMYB44 on <em>FaCLC-c4</em> expression, and intercepting Cl⁻ in roots with preferential transport of NO₃⁻ up to the leaves and increasing salt tolerance. These findings provide a new perspective on the transcription regulation of <em>FaCLC</em> genes and facilitate better application of exogenous ALA in salt tolerance practices for fruit production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154633"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145329562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modern approaches to enhancing abiotic stress tolerance using phytoprotectants: A focus on encapsulated proline","authors":"Vanessa A. Avendaño ,&nbsp;Jimmy Sampedro-Guerrero ,&nbsp;Aurelio Gómez-Cadenas ,&nbsp;Carolina Clausell-Terol","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Abiotic stress conditions such as salinity, water deficit, heat, cold, and heavy metal toxicity severely affect plant growth and productivity. To cope with these adverse environmental conditions, the exogenous application of phytoprotectants has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance. Phytoprotectants such as proline, putrescine, ascorbic acid, and phytomelatonin improve physiological and biochemical responses by interacting with phytohormonal signaling pathways to strengthen stress adaptation mechanisms. Among them, proline is particularly notable for its multifunctional role as an osmolyte, antioxidant, signaling molecule, and stabilizer of cellular structures. Exogenous proline application under stress conditions has been shown to improve growth parameters, activate antioxidant defense systems, reduce oxidative stress, and upregulate stress-responsive genes. However, excessive accumulation of these compounds can produce metabolic imbalances, which highlights the need for precise management. Recent advances in encapsulation technologies provide a novel approach to improve the stability, bioavailability, and controlled release of phytoprotectants. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the roles and interactions of key phytoprotectants, with a special focus on proline, and explores how encapsulation strategies can enhance their effectiveness in mitigating abiotic stress in plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PpbZIP23 from a native Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) regulates osmotic stress tolerance in transgenic rice","authors":"Leilei Xiang ,&nbsp;Jingjin Cheng ,&nbsp;Zhenfei Guo ,&nbsp;Shaoyun Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A drought-induced bZIP transcription factor from a native Kentucky bluegrass (<em>Poa pratensis</em> L.), PpbZIP23, in regulating drought tolerance was investigated in the present study. PpbZIP23 is located in the nucleus and has transcriptional activation activity. <em>PpbZIP23</em> expression was induced within 48 h after treatment with osmotic stress. Overexpression of <em>PpbZIP23</em> led to delayed wilting and enhanced drought tolerance with higher levels of relative water content and lower levels of ion leakage after osmotic stress. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate-peroxidase activities and proline concentrations of proline increased after osmotic stress, with higher levels in the <em>PpbZIP23</em>-overexpressing lines than in the wild type plants. Transcriptomic analysis showed that overexpression of <em>PpbZIP23</em> led to upregulation and downregulation of hundreds of genes under osmotic stress conditions. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in multiple KEGG pathways. PpbZIP23 regulated glycerophospholipid and ascorbic acid metabolism through upregulating <em>Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase</em> 3, <em>Choline Kinase Alpha 2</em>, <em>UDP-Glucose Dehydrogenase</em>, and <em>Ascorbate-Peroxidase 3</em> expressions. PpbZIP23 regulated zeatin metabolism through downregulating <em>Isopentenyl Transferase 8, Cytokinin Oxidase/dehydrogenase 1</em> expressions and promoted triterpenes and phytosterols biosynthesis via upregulating <em>Oxidosqualene Cyclase 7</em> expression. Lignin biosynthesis was also regulated by PpbZIP23 through upregulating <em>Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase 17</em> (<em>CCR17</em>)<em>,</em> class III <em>Peroxidases</em> (<em>PRX16</em>) and <em>PRX72</em> and downregulating <em>p-Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase 1, CCR13, PRX1, PRX62,</em> and <em>PRX95</em> expressions. The results suggest that PpbZIP23 regulates drought tolerance through activating antioxidant defense system and altering multiple metabolic pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154634"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CpWRKY51 enhances drought and salt resistance in Cucurbita pepo via activating CpPYL2-mediated PYL-PP2C-SnRK2 pathway","authors":"Ke Xu,&nbsp;Ping Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study characterized the function of <em>CpWRKY51</em>, a WRKY transcription factor from <em>Cucurbita pepo</em>, and explored its role in responding to salt and drought stresses. The function of the <em>CpWRKY51</em> gene was verified using a virus-mediated transient overexpression system. After salt and drought stress treatments, <em>C</em>. <em>pepo</em> plants with transient overexpression of <em>CpWRKY51</em> showed significantly milder wilting symptoms than the control group; similarly, <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> with <em>CpWRKY51</em> overexpression also exhibited stronger tolerance to salt and drought stresses. Physiological detection revealed that under stress conditions, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anion (O₂⁻), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the leaves of CpWRKY51-overexpressing lines was reduced, while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were significantly higher than those in the control group. At the molecular mechanism level, DNA Affinity Purification Sequencing (DAP-seq) identified the canonical W-box motif (\"TTGAC\") as the core binding sequence of <em>CpWRKY51</em>. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay confirmed that <em>CpWRKY51</em> could specifically bind to the promoter of Pyrabactin Resistance 1-Like 2 (PYL2). Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay showed that <em>PYL2</em> could interact with Protein Phosphatase 2C (PP2C1 and PP2C4) in the presence of 10 μM ABA, and CpSnRK2.6 from <em>C</em>. <em>pepo</em> could specifically interact with PP2C1 and PP2C4. These results indicate that <em>CpWRKY51</em> positively regulates the tolerance of <em>Cucurbita pepo</em> to salt and drought stresses by coordinately modulating the antioxidant defense system and the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2 pathway. This study provides a theoretical reference for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying WRKY transcription factor-mediated stress adaptation in horticultural crops, and clarifies that <em>CpWRKY51</em> can serve as a potential target for the genetic improvement of crop stress resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154652"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145526210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long non-coding RNA profiling reveals lncRNA MslncLOX13S that promotes lipoxygenase gene expression and enhances the tolerance to selenium in Medicago sativa L.","authors":"Qingdong Wang ,&nbsp;Mengli Xu ,&nbsp;Meiling Xiang ,&nbsp;Yarui Sheng ,&nbsp;Huafeng Hu ,&nbsp;Tianyu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) is one of the most widely cultivated forage crops globally. Selenium (Se) is considered beneficial for plants, showing a concentration-dependent dual effect that can promote and inhibit various plant species, including alfalfa. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of non-protein-coding transcripts, are involved in multiple biological processes in plants. To explore the potential role of lncRNAs in Se accumulation and tolerance in alfalfa, physiological responses were measured, and lncRNA expression was examined in alfalfa leaves exposed to Se concentrations of 0 mg L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹, and 500 mg L⁻¹. Under selenium treatment, lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and antioxidant levels increased significantly. A total of 64,684 novel lncRNAs were identified, with 1414 and 1810 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) found in the 100 mg L⁻¹ and 500 mg L⁻¹ Se-treated groups, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that LOX-targeted lncRNAs could play a pivotal role in Se accumulation and tolerance. Silencing of <em>MslncLOX13S</em> resulted in a yellowing of the leaf edges and lowered levels of LOX, jasmonic acid (JA), antioxidant capacity, and Se content. In comparison, transient overexpression of <em>MslncLOX13S</em> showed the opposite effects. These findings may contribute to the development of alfalfa cultivars enriched in Se, suitable for use as feed or raw material for organic Se extraction. Moreover, this study improves the understanding of lncRNA-mediated gene expression in alfalfa, highlighting <em>MslncLOX13S</em> as a Se-responsive lncRNA that enhances tolerance against Se, potentially offering a strategy for improving Se biofortification in forage crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154629"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"C3H23 positively regulates JA/ET-mediated resistance to Botrytis cinerea via being directly targeted by WRKY33 in Arabidopsis thaliana","authors":"Jiping Feng ,&nbsp;Li Xu ,&nbsp;Fumei Liu ,&nbsp;Peiyao Li ,&nbsp;Yumeng Yang ,&nbsp;Ziyu Cao ,&nbsp;Gongke Zhou ,&nbsp;Congpeng Wang ,&nbsp;Dian Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Botrytis cinerea</em> (<em>B. cinerea</em>) is a typical necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing severe yield losses in crops and fruits, But the molecular defense mechanism of plants against this fungus is not fully understood. Here in our study, C3H23 was found to positively regulate plant defense against <em>B. cinerea</em> in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em>. <em>c3h23</em> mutant showed decreased expression of JA/ET-responsive genes and compromised defense against <em>B. cinerea</em>. In contrast<em>,</em> overexpression of <em>C3H23</em> increased the expression of JA/ET-responsive genes and enhanced plant resistance. In addition, <em>C3H23</em> was transcriptionally activated by WRKY33, which directly bound to a W-box in the promoter of <em>C3H23</em>. Furthermore, expression of <em>C3H23</em> was down-regulated in <em>wrky33</em> mutants compared to that in wild-type plants responding to <em>B. cinerea</em> infection. Genetic analysis revealed that WRKY33 controlled the defense to <em>B. cinerea</em> in a partial C3H23-dependent manner. In summary, <em>C3H23</em> regulates the defense to <em>B. cinerea</em> positively by inducing JA/ET signaling and being targeted transcriptionally by WRKY33 in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154637"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145422110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Demonstration of interspecific crosses between Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum for intragenesis and the transient production of valuable small molecules and proteins","authors":"Margit Drapal,&nbsp;Laura Perez-Fons,&nbsp;Eugenia M.A. Enfissi,&nbsp;Paul D. Fraser","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intragenesis is classified as New Plant Breeding Techniques and agroinfiltration provides a simple, rapid and reproducible technique for transient gene expression. Sexual compatibility is a perquisite for the use of interspecies genetic components. In the present study, genetic crosses between <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em> and <em>N. tabacum</em> have been achieved and viable progeny obtained. Resulting F₁ progeny were phenotyped and classification into three groups was observed. These phenotypes included <em>N. benthamiana</em> Lab-like phenotypes termed “BEN”, representing 64 % of the progeny, while 8 % had observable <em>N. tabacum</em> phenotypes termed “TAB”. Finally, 28 % represented a hybrid phenotype “HYB”. Male sterility was present in group TAB and HYB. In order to assess the amenability of the progeny to agroinfiltration and to evaluate the potential of the new chassis with increased biomass and growth properties, the transient production of ketocarotenoids was performed. The progeny with BEN phenotypes showed increased ketocarotenoid production (∼1330 μg/g DW) compared to the control (∼550 μg/g DW). However, the increased leaf size found in the TAB and HYB progeny yielded greater ketocarotenoid levels per leaf (∼800 and ∼700 μg/g DW), when compared to the traditional <em>N. benthamiana</em> Lab accession. Further progeny of BEN and clonally propagated HYB were tested, but the beneficial traits for transient expression could only be attributed to the F₁ progeny cultivated from seed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveal a reprogramming of phenylpropanoid pathway and antioxidant activity in Cymbidium ensifolium resistance to anthracnose","authors":"Peng Li ,&nbsp;Linying Lan ,&nbsp;Longwei Xiong ,&nbsp;Yang Tian ,&nbsp;Gangmu Wu ,&nbsp;Donghui Peng ,&nbsp;Siren Lan ,&nbsp;Zhongjian Liu ,&nbsp;Qinghua Zhang ,&nbsp;Ye Ai","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthracnose, caused by <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> (<em>Cog</em>), severely constrains the <em>Cymbidium ensifolium</em> industry. To investigate the molecular underpinnings of resistance and the host-pathogen interaction strategies between <em>C. ensifolium</em> and <em>Cog</em>, we employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to compare the post-infection responses of the <em>Cog</em>-resistant (RV) and <em>Cog</em>-susceptible (SV) <em>C. ensifolium</em> varieties. Our integrated analysis reveals that resistance to <em>Cog</em> in <em>C. ensifolium</em> is partially mediated by the targeted accumulation of phenylpropane pathway metabolites, especially those involved in flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. Metabolites including rutin, lonicerin, nicotiflorin, apiin, and coniferin exhibited highly significant accumulation in the RV. The massive accumulation of various flavonoids in the SV was consistent with the gene expression trends in the phenylpropanoid pathway, a pattern indicative of an antioxidant stress response driven by stress reprogramming. A similar phenomenon was also observed in the core reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging pathway, glutathione metabolism. This ultimately results in two distinct outcomes: a potent, antifungal defense reprogramming in the RV versus an antioxidant-focused stress reprogramming in the SV. The observed trade-offs between antifungal and antioxidant activities in these varieties provide novel insights into the multilevel regulatory networks governing plant-pathogen interactions. Our study illuminates this sophisticated defense strategy of <em>C. ensifolium</em> against <em>Cog</em>, identifying core metabolites and pathways that now serve as a guide for targeted resistance breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154631"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145292581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and functional characterization of lycopene β-cyclase gene from Iris germanica and its relation to carotenoid accumulation","authors":"Xiaojie Zhao ,&nbsp;Fang Yu ,&nbsp;Xue Li ,&nbsp;Yumeng Wu ,&nbsp;Tianrui Gong ,&nbsp;Beibei Su ,&nbsp;Xiaofei Zhang ,&nbsp;Dazhuang Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jplph.2025.154620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accumulations of pigments plays a pivotal role in determining floral coloration, which constitutes one of the most critical ornamental characteristics in flowering plants. In <em>Iris germanica</em>, carotenoids underlie yellow, orange and pink flowers, yet comprehensive metabolomic profiling and associated gene regulatory networks in carotenoid biosynthetic pathway remain to be elucidated. In this study, the carotenoids and transcriptome profiles of yellow, orange and pink flower cultivars were analyzed. In pink flower ‘Lenora Pearl’ and orange flower ‘Savannah Sunset’, lycopene and (E/Z)-phytoene were the major pigments. In yellow flower ‘Harvest of Memories’ and ‘Little Miss Magic’, antheraxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin were the major pigments. The expression profiles of structural genes in the carotenoid pathway were analyzed among different flower-colored cultivars. Among the structural genes, <em>IgLCYB2s</em> expression positively correlation with β, β-carotene (β-carotene and its derivatives) biosynthesis while negatively correlating with lycopene accumulation across cultivars, these pattern also consistent with flower color phenotype among cultivars. Thus, <em>IgLCYB2s</em> could be the critical genes determine composition and content of carotenoids among different cultivars. Quantitative real-time PCR results revealed that <em>IgLCYB2s</em> were tissue-specific in flowers. Enzyme activity assays in <em>Escherichia coli</em> indicated IgLCYB2s converted lycopene into β-carotene in vivo, which confirmed the function of <em>IgLCYB2</em> as structural gene in regulation the composition of carotenoids. In future, <em>IgLCYB2s</em> can be used in genetic manipulations to facilitate genetically modified breeding of flower color in <em>I. germanica</em> or iris genus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16808,"journal":{"name":"Journal of plant physiology","volume":"315 ","pages":"Article 154620"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145271073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}