Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants最新文献

Cold stress is a critical environmental factor that affects vineyard productivity and grape quality. Although glutamate receptors (GLRs) have been characterized in other plant species, a comprehensive investigation of the GLRs family in grapevine remains limited. In this study, we identified 32 members of the VvGLR gene family from the grapevine genome and confirmed their identity through motif and gene structure analyses. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses displayed that the VvGLR genes are categorized into three subfamilies, and 11 tandem duplication events were identified. Cis-acting element analysis indicated that VvGLR1.2, VvGLR2.5, VvGLR2.8, and VvGLR3.4 possess a diverse array of regulatory elements, suggesting their potential involvement in various physiological pathways. Furthermore, VvGLR2.6 and VvGLR2.8 exhibited opposite expression patterns in 'Thompson seedless' and 'Beibinghong' under cold stress. Notably, the overexpression of VaGLR3.4 increased cold sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana and grapevine by downregulating the expression of cold-responsive genes, including VvICE1, VvCBF1, VvCOR15 and VvKIN1. This finding implies that VaGLR3.4 may function as a negative regulator of the cold stress response in grapevine. Overall, this study provides new insights into the grapevine GLR gene family and offers a valuable foundation for evolutionary analysis and the molecular breeding of cold-tolerant varieties.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01694-z.

Fenchol, a key aromatic compound in lavender essential oils (EOs), is produced by the enzyme fenchol synthase (FENS). However, the functional mechanism of FENS is not well understood. This study reveals the intricate, multilevel regulation of FENSs genes in lavender. Structural models of FENS were predicted using AlphaFold2, with validation performed through the Ramachandran plot and ProSA tool. The highest expression of FENSs genes was observed in the leaves, compared to other tissues (roots, stems, and flowers). Gene expression levels increased, peaking at full bloom, and subsequently declined during senescence. Temporal analysis within a 24-h day/night cycle showed a peak in expression at 14:00, followed by a decrease. Under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stress, expression levels peaked at 12 h before declining. Our results demonstrate that the expression of fenchol synthases may be precisely regulated by an integrated network of developmental, circadian, and jasmonate signaling pathways. This sophisticated regulation can optimize the plant's defense mechanisms and defines its aroma profile, providing a molecular foundation for improving the quality and yield of lavender EOs.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01690-3.

Recent findings suggest that unknown function genes may contribute to grain amaranths' capacity to thrive under stressful conditions. In the present study, the overexpression of two grain amaranth unknown function genes, i.e., AhHAB4-PAI-1 and Ah2880, in Arabidopsis thaliana supported this premise by enhancing their thermotolerance. These genes were identified in stress-exposed Amaranthus hypochondriacus plants and were also induced by heat shock (HS) conditions. Accordingly, both transgenic A. thaliana lines recovered from HS exposure that was near-lethal to untransformed plants. Transcriptional and microscopic analyses indicated that enhanced HS tolerance in both transgenic plant lines occurred by yet to be defined mechanisms that followed strikingly different time-course activation patterns, as evinced by: (i) the accumulation of RNA florescence signals, hypothetically representative of stress granules, which reached their highest intensity in the midst of HS conditions, in AhHAB4-PAI-1 OE plants, and at the initial recovery phase, in Ah2880 OE plants, and (ii) the analysis of transcriptomic data, which revealed a clear difference in the nature, timing and abundance of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) recorded in both OE plants during the HS and recovery stages. Collectively, most DEGs were representative of known heat stress-related responses, predominantly DNA repair, alternative splicing, chromatin remodeling, protein stabilization/degradation/modification, autophagy, cell wall and membrane alterations, ribosomal and organellar responses, high molecular weight complex formation and activation of stress-associated transcription factors and phytohormone signaling. This study's results highlight the potential use of unknown function genes for the generation of highly heat stress-resistant plants, which may occur through contrasting protective mechanisms.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01696-x.

The ERF (Ethylene Response Factor) transcription factor family is an important member of the AP2/ERF superfamily, playing a crucial role in plant growth and development, and responses to stresses. With the completion of the cucumber genome sequencing, a systematic analysis of the CsERF family has become possible. This study based on cucumber genome data, identified 127 CsERFs and divided them into 10 subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships. Subsequently, the genes were analyzed for structure, chromosome localization, and physicochemical properties. Analysis of cis-elements revealed that most promoters of the CsERFs contain plant hormone response elements and stress response elements (such as those for auxin, abscisic acid, and defense and stress). The tissue-specific expression patterns of these genes were also examined, showing that they are expressed in various tissues. Under low-temperature treatment, the expression of CsERF017 and CsERF061 was significantly induced. Overexpression of 35S:CsERF017 and 35S:CsERF061 in cucumbers significantly enhanced cold tolerance, indicating their role in the cold signaling pathway of cucumbers. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which ERF genes regulate cold tolerance in cucumbers and offer important evidence for genetic improvement of cucumber stress tolerance.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01701-3.

Rhododendron molle G. Don contains a rich array of secondary metabolites, with grayanane diterpenoids as its representative components which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, antiviral and insecticidal properties. It has been reported that the 6/6/6/5 tetracyclic structure of ent-kaurene undergoes an A/B ring epoxide rearrangement, forming the 5/7/6/5 tetracyclic skeleton characteristic of grayanane diterpenoids. To identify CYP450s that may be involved in biosynthetic pathway, we successfully engineered a yeast chassis strain capable of producing 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurane and ent-kaurene for functional validation. For the first time, we cloned three NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases (RmCPRs) and identified RmCPR1 as the most active in the yeast system. Moreover, RmKO was cloned and confirmed which catalyzes the conversion of 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurane into 16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurenoic acid. These findings provide valuable insights that may facilitate the discovery of more CYP450s from Rhododendron molle G. Don and lay the foundation for future elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of grayanane diterpenoids.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01692-1.

The biofuels produced from algae sources have received significant scholarly concerns as a sustainable and renewable energy alternative to conventional fossil fuel deposits because of their intrinsic renewable nature, low environmental impact, and the potential to produce unsaturated fatty acids. This research attempts to evaluate the effect of carbon quantum dots (CQD) and boron-nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (BNCQD) on lipid and metabolite synthesis in the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. CQD and BNCQD were synthesized by pyrolysis, and their effects on the fatty acid and volatile compounds of H. pulvialis were evaluated using GC-MS. The findings indicated that these nanoparticles noticeably increased lipid accumulation and metabolite production in the H. pulvialis. Notably, BNCQD exhibited a higher capacity to promote the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids, in comparison to CQD. The observed increase in fatty acid levels was associated with enhanced photosynthetic efficacy and increased productivity of algae by nanoparticles. The observed increase in fatty acid levels was associated with enhanced photosynthetic efficacy and increased productivity of algae by nanoparticles. Vitamin E levels in the CQD and BNCQD treatments were significantly lower than the control group. This decrease in metabolite demonstrates how the nanoparticle downregulates competing metabolite pathways while enhancing the Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and Geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) flow towards astaxanthin production. This investigation underscores that adjusting nanoparticle concentrations can significantly improve the growth and biochemical profile of H. pulvialis. This means it has promise in bioenergy production, drugs, and food processing.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01700-4.

This study investigates the efficacy of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in improving stress tolerance in plants by analyzing the molecular and biochemical bases in durum wheat grain. An experiment was conducted where soil and seeds were inoculated with PGPB, under drought and salinity stress. 16 S rRNA sequencing indicated no change in grain bacterial communities in response to biofertilizers and stress. However, a genome-wide analysis identified 153 up-regulated and 33 down-regulated plant genes in response to PGPB, predominantly enriched in stress-related biological processes. These genes specifically encode for proteins involved in metabolite interconversion enzyme, chaperone, protein modifying enzyme, and transporters, which are functionally related groups assisting protein folding in the cell under stress conditions. Moreover, pathway analysis confirmed related changes at the metabolite and enzyme activity levels. In this regard, PGPB-treated plants exhibited heightened activity of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic (e.g., thioredoxins, peroxiredoxins, etc.) antioxidants under stress, showcasing significant enhancements ranging from + 27% to + 283% and + 36% to + 266%, respectively. Further elucidation of biochemical pathways revealed alterations in the activation of non-antioxidant enzymes in PGPB-treated plants, exemplified by increased activities of glutamate synthase (40-44%) and decreased activities of protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (29-31%) under both stresses, as well as elevated activities of anthocyanidin reductase (91%) and lipoxygenases (18%) specifically under drought. Overall, the present research highlighted the potential of beneficial bacteria in improving plant stress tolerance, especially under drought, through shifting transcriptome expression of plant genes and employing multiple protective strategies which can complement each other.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01686-z.

Vitamins are essential for maintaining normal life activities in humans and animals as they depend on external sources for intake of these compounds. Buckwheat a pseudocereal is recognized as a nutrient dense food, offering significant contributions to human health. Vitamin B is regarded as an important nutrient, as its deficiency leads to various symptoms depending on type of vitamin B. Their deficiency usually leads to anaemia, birth defects and other health problems in humans. In this study, we established a protocol for vitamin B profiling of Buckwheat and analysed seed flour of 116 buckwheat core diverse set for nine essential B vitamins using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These nine vitamins included Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Nicotinamide (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Inositol(B8), Folate(B9), and Cobalamin(B12). Significant variations were observed among genotypes for various vitamins. Additionally, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed to identify the significant QTLs / candidate genes associated with the accumulation of these vitamins, providing insights into the genetic architecture underlying their biosynthesis and regulation. A total of 4,142,684 variants were identified from 116 diverse genotypes, containing 3,728,028 SNPs and 414,656 InDels (214,798 insertions and 199,858 deletions). QTLs contributing for these nine vitamins have been identified and mapped on linkage map of Buckwheat. This is the first report of Vit-GWAS in buckwheat and these results will offer new genomic insights that can aid in breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of buckwheat. This research underscores the importance of modern analytical tools and genomic approaches to optimize crop improvement strategies for addressing global nutritional challenges.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01687-y.

Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, severely compromises tomato yields, especially in susceptible cultivars. This study investigates the molecular basis of silicon (Si)-mediated priming and its capacity to modulate salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling crosstalk to enhance systemic resistance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Karoon). Si supplementation significantly reduced disease severity and lesion expansion, preserved photosynthetic function, and mitigated oxidative damage in infected plants. Transcript and hormone profiling revealed that Si-primed plants mounted an early but transient SA response, followed by enhanced JA and ethylene (ET) signaling-key for defense against necrotrophs. Si priming fine-tuned the expression of SA- and JA-responsive genes, including WRKY70, PR1, PR3, LOX, PAL, and ACS2, and bolstered antioxidant defenses via elevated superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenolics, flavonoids, and redox-buffering molecules (GSH, AsA). Multivariate analysis confirmed that Si + Pathogen plants occupied a distinct defense profile-characterized by suppressed oxidative stress, upregulated JA/ET-driven responses, and maintained physiological performance. This study demonstrates that Si reconfigures immune signaling networks and gene expression dynamics to overcome SA-JA antagonism, enabling effective and metabolically balanced resistance to A. solani. The findings position Si as a practical, non-toxic priming agent that strengthens innate plant immunity and offers a promising strategy for sustainable disease management in tomato and potentially other crops.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-025-01682-3.

The anthropogenic rise in greenhouse gas emissions intensifies the trapping of longwave radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, leading to increased global temperatures. High temperatures (HT) adversely affect the critical developmental stages in chilli, such as root initiation, flowering and fruit set. In response, chilli plant employs a range of strategies including escape, acclimation and adaptation mediated by the expression of stress responsive proteins, genes and metabolites. The key components of this response include heat shock proteins (HSPs), reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes, aquaporins, osmoprotectants and other stress inducible genes that collectively enhance thermotolerance. Conventional breeding efforts have improved HT adaptability by selection for traits such as increased biomass, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and reduced canopy temperature. In addition, landraces represent valuable genetic resources for identifying heat tolerant genotypes, and can be evaluated by advanced phenotyping platforms. Moreover, the integration of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies with physiological data allows for the rapid and high-throughput discovery of candidate genes associated with heat stress tolerance. Molecular breeding approaches such as marker assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection and genome wide association studies (GWAS) enable the development of heat tolerant chilli cultivars in shortest time duration. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the physiological, biochemical and genetic mechanisms underlying heat tolerance (HT) in chilli, recent omics advancements and the challenges of breeding heat resilient cultivars. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for creating robust chilli varieties capable of withstanding HT, ensuring sustainable yields and food security under changing global climatic conditions.