Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants最新文献

Glycine max (soybean) is a highly protein-rich legume that also contains oils and vitamins. Unfortunately, soybean faces many biotic and abiotic stresses including heat, drought, pests, wounds, infections, and salinity, which limits the crop productivity. Among these, mechanical wounding (MW) causes significant harm to plants, creates a passage for invading pathogens, and disrupts plant metabolism. Thus, exploring soybean responses at the molecular and biochemical levels during mechanical damage is essential. Additionally, MW resembles insect bites, which offers important insights into the immune systems identical to MW and pest attacks. In this investigation, we executed a comparative proteome evaluation of the PUSA9712 soybean variety following MW. Based on specifications of log2FC ≥ 1 and p-value ≤ 0.05, the study disclosed 786 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) upon MW, among which 294 were elevated and 492 were down-regulated. The function annotation and pathway analysis of DAPs displayed their role in ROS signaling, flavonoid biosynthesis, ABA synthesis, JA-synthesis, defense against pathogens, fatty acid synthesis, brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, carbohydrate metabolism, proteolysis, calcium signaling, and protein kinase pathway. Lipoxygenase, V-type ATPases, Annexin, NsLTP, and ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit DAPs can be promising candidates to strengthen soybean crop's resilience to mechanical damage and pest/pathogen attacks and need further functional characterisation.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01562-w.

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mark found in both eukaryotic as well as prokaryotic genomes. It is essential for regulating expression of genes and preservation of genomic integrity. Both plants and animals possess specific proteins that mediate biological effects of DNA methylation. Many families of such methylated DNA binding proteins have been discovered in plants; the most prominent of them being the methyl-CpG- binding domain (MBD) proteins. Some of the MBD proteins have the ability to recognize methylated CpGs in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we have described MBD proteins and their functions in a wide range of cellular processes in various plant species. We have also outlined their mechanism of action and interacting protein partners.

The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450) are the largest enzyme family in plant metabolism, playing a key role in the biosynthesis of both primary and secondary metabolites. However, the CYP450 has not yet been systematically characterized in Dendrobium species. In this study, 193 DhCYP450 genes were identified in the genome of Dendrobium huoshanense through bioinformatics, and divided into 2 groups and 10 clans. Chromosome localization results revealed that DhCYP450 genes are distributed across 19 chromosomes. We identified eight common conserved motifs within the DhCYP450 family of D. huoshanense. Furthermore, prediction analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter region indicated the presence of elements responsive to low temperature, drought, and hormones responsive elements in most DhCYP450 genomes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated the experiments expression patterns of DhCYP450 genes in response to cold, drought treatment, and hormones, suggesting their involvement in abiotic stress responses and their role in Dendrobium growth. Overall, these results provide valuable insights into the functional dynamics of the DhCYP450 genes and highlight potential candidates for further study of their biological roles.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01555-9.

TaPRP19, a wheat U-box E3 ligase gene, was isolated and characterized for its role in drought stress tolerance. The gene encodes a 531 amino acid protein with a U-box domain at the N-terminal and a WD40 domain at the C-terminal. Subcellular localization studies using TaPRP19-GFP fusion in Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed predominant nucleus localization. In vitro ubiquitination assays demonstrated that TaPRP19 possesses E3 ligase activity. RT-qPCR analysis revealed higher expression of TaPRP19 in wheat leaves, which increased under PEG, mannitol, and ABA treatments. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing TaPRP19 exhibited improved seed germination rates and root elongation under mannitol and ABA stress, as well as enhanced survival rates under drought conditions compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Additionally, these transgenic lines showed upregulated expression of antioxidant-related and drought-marker genes, reduced ROS accumulation, and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting enhanced oxidative stress mitigation. These findings highlight TaPRP19 as a potential target for developing drought-tolerant crops, providing insights into its functional mechanisms and paving the way for future genetic engineering applications in wheat and other crops.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01557-7.

This study investigates the effect of foliar application of spermidine (Spd) on salt-stressed chickpea genotypes under natural environmental conditions. Four chickpea genotypes were treated with chloride-dominated salinity levels of 4.0 and 8.0 dSm^-1, followed by foliar application with 0.5 and 1.0 mM Spd during the reproductive stage. The findings reveal that Spermidine application markedly enhances the total chlorophyll upto 21.27%. It also enhanced the total soluble carbohydrate about 46.68% and protein content upto 40% in all chickpea genotypes but HC 3 shows maximum increase, thereby augmenting yield about 36% in HC 5 genotypes under salt stress. Additionally, Spermidine application facilitates the enlargement of xylem vessels diameter upto 34.53% in pedicel and reduction in epidermal wall thickening about 29.33% of filament under salt stress. Importantly, the efficacy of Spermidine application is particularly pronounced in salt-affected chickpea genotypes, especially the 0.5 mM concentration. The insights gained offer a potential solution to enhance plant tolerance and productivity under adverse conditions.

The substantial economic impact of thrips on crop yield and productivity enthused us to review comprehensive research findings associated with plant-thrips interaction. An attempt has been made to summarize a broad spectrum of knowledge on thrips infestation in different crops regarding defensive traits including plant morphological features, biochemical alterations and transcriptional profiling of defensive genes along with effective thrips management strategies. Thrips feeding mechanism involves puncturing the outer (epidermal) layer of host tissue and evoking the plant defence mechanism. Plants respond to thrips attacks by activating the defensive genes, which lead to the production of physical barriers (trichomes, waxes, and papillae) and biochemical compounds (primary and secondary metabolites). It is imperative to appreciate the physiological responses, metabolic changes, and regulation at the transcriptional level of various phytoconstituents during thrips feeding. The literature survey revealed that leaf size, papillae and trichome density, total phenols, tannins and genes associated with phenylalanine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis contribute to plant resistance against thrips infestation. Thus, this comprehensive overview will serve as a roadmap for researchers, guiding future studies and the development of sustainable pest management practices to mitigate thrips-related damage and enhance crop resilience.

Drought is a natural disaster that exerts considerable adverse impacts on the agricultural sector. This study aimed to investigate the cytokinin-mediated carbohydrate accumulation in the aerial parts of the plant and the roots in four-month-old drought-stressed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plants. To achieve this, exogenous treatments containing 50 mM of the synthetic cytokinin 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA) were applied prior to the onset of drought stress and every seven days during the 14-day drought stress period. These plants were subjected to varying levels of soil water holding capacity (WHC): 25 ± 5% (severe stress), 50 ± 5% (moderate stress), and 100 ± 5% (control). A range of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses were evaluated. Our data suggest that the reduction of starch and the accumulation of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) induced by severe drought stress were mitigated (reduced by half) in the roots and shoots of plants treated with 6-BA under similar drought conditions. This treatment may support plants by promoting the normal storage of energy reserves, thereby enhancing their resilience during subsequent periods of water scarcity. Furthermore, the application of 6-BA facilitates the regulation of carbohydrate accumulation, proline content, and enzymatic activity. 6-BA functions by downregulating the expression of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase genes, particularly FaCKX1 and FaCKX3, and by upregulating the FaIPT8 gene. This mechanism inhibits the degradation of cytokinins and promotes root growth under conditions of severe drought stress. 6-BA reduced FaPIN1 expression during moderate drought stress compared to the corresponding control, indicating that cytokinins can alter auxin transport mechanisms and help plants prioritize growth processes under water scarcity. The application of 6-BA not only serves as an effective sink for enhancing starch accumulation in leaves but also inhibits the expression of the chlorophyll degradation gene (FaSGR), thereby preventing chlorophyll degradation. This dual action aids plants in sustaining their growth and development during episodes of short-term drought stress.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01559-5.

Pteridophytes, encompassing ferns and fern allies, are integral components of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. These vascular plants characterized by their spore-based reproduction, fulfil various ecological roles such as influencing biodiversity, soil stability, nutrient dynamics, and ecological succession. Similar to higher plants, pteridophytes too are known to have close symbiotic associations with a diverse array of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Exploring the microbial diversity in pteridophytes has prospects both in pure and applied research. Research on pteridophyte microbial communities have revealed their role in plant growth promotion, nutrient acquisition and tolerance against stresses. Besides, it would be interesting to unravel the microbial diversity associated with pteridophytes, which are the first vascular plants. Further, study of pteridophytes-associated microbes would also help in conservation programmes of these rare and endangered group of plants. In spite of the immense potential of pteridophyte microbiome, only few studies have been undertaken in this area, thereby creating a huge research gap. Hence, this review compiles pteridophyte microbiome research, and explores its prospects in agricultural sustainability. Our literature survey sheds light on the tremendous potential of pteridophyte-associated microbes as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture, which is highly relevant in the era of climate change.

The slow growth rate of Zanthoxylum dissitum Hemsl. (Zanthoxylum) is the important factor causing the scarcity of its available wild resource. It has been reported that the plant endophytes can promote the plant growth and the synthesis of secondary metabolitesby by enhancing the efficiency of nutrient absorption by plants and regulating plant hormones. It is important to explore the promoting effects of endophytes on the growth of Zanthoxylum. The application of high-throughput sequencing technology in this study revealed the presence of three phyla, five classes, seven orders, and eleven genera of endophytic bacteria in Zanthoxylum. The most prevalent phyla, classes, orders, and genera were identified respectively as Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Burkholderiales, and Pseudomonas. In this study, an endophytic growth-promoting bacterium was isolated and identified as Sphingomonas sp. The results revealed that the bacterium exhibited robust nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and effective siderophore production capabilities. The phosphate solubilization index (SI) was found to be (1.266 ± 0.0157). Following a 48-h incubation period in an inorganic phosphorus liquid medium (PKO), the concentration of auxin (IAA) and gibberellin (GA) reached their highest levels, at (138.145 ± 65.111) μg/mL and (805.74 ± 123.86) μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the study showed that the endophytic bacteria markedly enhanced the germination potential and rate of sorghum seeds, and promoted significantly the growth of the tissue culture seedlings of Zanthoxylum.

Single-cell transcriptomics overcomes the limitations of conventional transcriptome methods by isolating and sequencing RNA from individual cells, thus capturing unique expression values for each cell. This technology allows unprecedented precision in observing the stochasticity and heterogeneity of gene expression within cells. However, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments often fail to capture all cells and genes comprehensively, and single-modality data is insufficient to explain cell states and systemic changes. To address this, the integration of multi-source scRNA-seq and single-cell multi-modality data has emerged, enabling the construction of comprehensive cell atlases. These integration methods also facilitate the exploration of causal relationships and gene regulatory mechanisms across different modalities. This review summarizes the fundamental principles, applications, and value of these integration methods in revealing biological changes, and analyzes the advantages, disadvantages, and future directions of current approaches.