Plant Physiology and Biochemistry最新文献_第9页

Composition and ultrastructure changes of leaf cuticle wax during the air-curing process in cigars 雪茄空气烘烤过程中叶片角质层蜡组成及超微结构的变化

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111074

Rui Yan , Aijun Li , Weili Yang , Yunkang Lei , Yanqing Qin , Zhaopeng Song

The quality of cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) is considerably influenced by color changes that occur during the air-curing process, which are mainly regulated by polyphenols and membrane lipid peroxidation. Cuticular waxes form the outermost lipid layer covering the surface of plants, and their specific responses during CTL air-curing remain unclear. This study comprehensively investigated the changes in the morphology, appearance, and chemical composition of cuticular waxes. The contents of different lipids in CTLs changed significantly during air-curing, and the contents of ceramide, hexosylceramide and fatty acids in CTLs increased significantly, and cuticular wax was an important part of plant lipids. In terms of microstructure, as the air-curing process progressed, the cuticular wax structure of the CTL collapsed and fragmented, and the volume and density of wax crystals increased. In terms of chemical composition, long-chain fatty acids and esters in fatty compounds and sterols and tocopherols in cyclic components decreased. The results showed that the cuticular wax gradually degraded during the air-curing process, and the changes in the microstructure and chemical composition of cuticular waxes corresponded to the color changes of the CTLs throughout this process. Therefore, cuticular waxes may have an indirect effect in regulating color changes during the tobacco air-curing process. These findings underscore the indirect influence of cuticular wax dynamics on CTL quality during air-curing, offering valuable insights to guide improvements in tobacco leaf processing and product refinement.

在空气烘烤过程中，雪茄烟叶的颜色变化主要受多酚类物质和膜脂过氧化作用的影响。角质层蜡质是覆盖植物表面的最外层脂质层，其在CTL空气固化过程中的具体反应尚不清楚。本研究全面研究了表皮蜡质的形态、外观和化学成分的变化。在空气固化过程中，ctl中不同脂质含量发生显著变化，神经酰胺、己糖神经酰胺和脂肪酸含量显著升高，角质层蜡是植物脂质的重要组成部分。在微观结构上，随着空气固化过程的进行，CTL的表皮蜡质结构崩塌破碎，蜡晶体体积和密度增加。从化学成分上看，脂肪化合物中的长链脂肪酸和酯，环组分中的甾醇和生育酚减少。结果表明，在空气固化过程中，表皮蜡逐渐降解，在此过程中，表皮蜡的微观结构和化学成分的变化与ctl的颜色变化相对应。因此，角质层蜡质可能间接调节烟草在空气烘烤过程中的颜色变化。这些发现强调了空气烘烤过程中角质层蜡动力学对烟叶CTL质量的间接影响，为指导烟叶加工和产品精制提供了有价值的见解。

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引用次数: 0

Transcriptomic plasticity through alternative splicing shapes salt stress responses in Korean sorghum 通过选择性剪接形成韩国高粱盐胁迫响应的转录组可塑性

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111060

Hajung Lee , Yuna Kang , Changsoo Kim

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a climate-resilient C4 crop that is widely cultivated in arid and saline-prone environments. Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that adversely affects plant growth and productivity by inducing osmotic, ionic, and oxidative stress. Plants have evolved various molecular mechanisms to mitigate salt stress, including alternative splicing (AS), a post-transcriptional regulatory process that generates diverse transcript isoforms. Among AS event types, intron retention (IR) is the most prevalent in plants under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of three sorghum cultivars—Sodamchal, Nampungchal, and Hwanggeumchal—subjected to varying salt stress conditions over different time periods. Our findings revealed that intron retention accounted for more than 70 % of AS events across all comparisons. Importantly, several of these intron retention events were associated with salt stress–responsive genes, which support the notion that intron retention may function as a regulatory mechanism contributing to salt stress tolerance. Notably, in Hwanggeumchal and Nampungchal, the trehalose-phosphate phosphatase 6 (TPP6) gene and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G family member 42 gene exhibited AS-mediated expression changes, suggesting a potential link in salt tolerance. Under normal conditions, IR led to the expression of alternative isoforms that do not increase trehalose levels or ABC transporter function, whereas salt stress promoted normal splicing, which restored the functional biosynthesis pathways of both trehalose and ABC transporter. Given the established roles of trehalose and ABC transporters in stabilizing cellular structures, mitigating osmotic stress, and maintaining ion homeostasis, our results suggest that AS-mediated regulation of these pathways contributes to sorghum's adaptive response to salinity stress. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of sorghum's salt tolerance and highlight the importance of AS as a regulatory mechanism for improving stress resilience in crops.

高粱（Sorghum bicolor L.）是一种气候适应性强的C4作物，广泛种植在干旱和易盐碱化的环境中。土壤盐分是一种主要的非生物胁迫，通过诱导渗透、离子和氧化胁迫对植物生长和生产力产生不利影响。植物已经进化出多种分子机制来缓解盐胁迫，包括选择性剪接（AS），这是一种产生多种转录异构体的转录后调控过程。在AS事件类型中，内含子保留（IR）在植物非生物胁迫条件下最为普遍。在这项研究中，我们对三种高粱品种（sodamchal、Nampungchal和hwang geumchal）在不同时期受到不同盐胁迫条件的转录组进行了分析。我们的研究结果显示，在所有比较中，内含子保留占AS事件的70%以上。重要的是，这些内含子保留事件中有几个与盐胁迫应答基因有关，这支持了内含子保留可能作为一种有助于盐胁迫耐受性的调节机制的观点。值得注意的是，在黄锦茶和南pungchal中，海藻糖-磷酸磷酸酶6 （TPP6）基因和atp结合盒（ABC）转运体G家族成员42基因表现出as介导的表达变化，表明它们与耐盐性有潜在的联系。在正常条件下，IR导致不增加海藻糖水平或ABC转运蛋白功能的替代异构体的表达，而盐胁迫促进了正常剪接，从而恢复了海藻糖和ABC转运蛋白的功能性生物合成途径。鉴于海藻糖和ABC转运体在稳定细胞结构、减轻渗透胁迫和维持离子稳态方面的作用，我们的研究结果表明，as介导的这些途径的调节有助于高粱对盐胁迫的适应性反应。这些发现为高粱耐盐性的分子基础提供了新的见解，并突出了AS作为提高作物抗逆性的调控机制的重要性。

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引用次数: 0

γ-Aminobutyric acid improves the tolerance of maize to cadmium stress by alleviating oxidative damage and reducing the accumulation and translocation of cadmium γ-氨基丁酸通过减轻氧化损伤和减少镉的积累和转运来提高玉米对镉胁迫的耐受性

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111068

Yihan Zhang , Ningge Liu , Hanxing Yang , Fei Wang , Jiameng Guo , Hao Wang , Yulou Tang , Ruixin Shao , Yongchao Wang , Qinghua Yang

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that substantially impacts crop productivity. Although γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been shown to enhance plant resistance to abiotic stresses, the mechanism by which it mitigates Cd toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) remains unclear. Using integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses, we found that exogenous GABA enhances maize seedling tolerance to Cd stress by simultaneously strengthening antioxidant defenses, regulating metal transport, and reinforcing cell walls. GABA significantly upregulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes, mitigating oxidative damage under Cd stress. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed induced expression of key antioxidant genes during the GABA–Cd interaction. Notably, Nramp and HMA transporter proteins were implicated in GABA-mediated suppression of Cd uptake and distribution. Transcriptional–metabolic co-analysis revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the phenylalanine metabolism pathway, which are involved in cell wall biosynthesis, increase the GABA-mediated Cd tolerance. Exogenous GABA increased the activities of enzymes related to lignin synthesis. For example, the activity of phenylalanine lyase (PAL) increased by 41.48 % in roots at 4 days post-treatment, thus enhancing lignin deposition in the cell walls of maize roots. This structural reinforcement restricted Cd translocation from roots to shoots, thus reducing Cd accumulation in stem and leaf tissues. Conversely, pharmacological inhibition of endogenous GABA synthesis via 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) decreased root lignin content and increased Cd shoot translocation, validating GABA's role in cell wall lignification. These findings clarify GABA's multifaceted role in mitigating Cd stress through coordinated physiological and molecular responses, highlighting its potential as a sustainable strategy to safeguard crop productivity under heavy metal contamination.

镉（Cd）是一种严重影响作物生产力的剧毒重金属。虽然γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）已被证明能增强植物对非生物胁迫的抗性，但其减轻玉米（Zea mays L.）镉毒性的机制尚不清楚。通过综合生理学、转录组学和代谢组学分析，我们发现外源GABA通过同时增强抗氧化防御、调节金属运输和增强细胞壁来增强玉米幼苗对Cd胁迫的耐受性。GABA可显著上调抗氧化酶活性，减轻镉胁迫下的氧化损伤。转录组学分析证实了GABA-Cd相互作用诱导了关键抗氧化基因的表达。值得注意的是，Nramp和HMA转运蛋白参与了gaba介导的Cd摄取和分布的抑制。转录-代谢联合分析表明，参与细胞壁生物合成的苯丙氨酸和苯丙氨酸代谢途径增加了gaba介导的Cd耐受性。外源GABA增加了木质素合成相关酶的活性。例如，处理4天后，玉米根系中苯丙氨酸裂解酶（PAL）活性提高了41.48%，从而促进了木质素在根系细胞壁中的沉积。这种结构强化限制了Cd从根向茎的转运，从而减少了Cd在茎和叶组织中的积累。相反，通过3-巯基丙酸（3-MPA）抑制内源性GABA合成可降低根木质素含量，增加Cd茎的转运，证实GABA在细胞壁木质素化中的作用。这些发现阐明了GABA通过协调生理和分子反应在减轻镉胁迫中的多方面作用，突出了其作为在重金属污染下保障作物生产力的可持续策略的潜力。

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引用次数: 0

Priming plants to withstand drought tolerance: Systemic responses of tomato plants mediated by a root-residing fungal endophyte 诱导植物抗旱：番茄根系内生真菌介导的系统反应

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111058

Maria Feka , Olga Tsiouri , María Manresa , Sotirios Vasileiadis , Victor Flors , Kalliope K. Papadopoulou

Fusarium solani strain K (FsK) is a beneficial root-residing fungal endophyte previously shown to enhance tomato resilience to biotic stresses. Here, we evaluated whether FsK also improves drought tolerance and investigated the underlying molecular and metabolic mechanisms. Tomato plants were inoculated with FsK or mock-treated and subjected to either well-watered or reduced-irrigation conditions. Physiological measurements, transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq), targeted hormone quantification, and untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed on leaf tissues to assess systemic plant responses. FsK-colonized plants exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, displaying higher relative water content and biomass accumulation compared with non-inoculated stressed plants. RNA-seq analysis revealed differential regulation of genes associated with abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, WRKY transcription factors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling MAPK pathways, and stress-responsive regulators, including several transcripts showing priming-type expression patterns. Metabolomic profiling showed a strong effect of FsK on leaf metabolic composition, with significant increases in ABA, JA, and specific metabolites such as kaempferol derivatives, D-glucosamine, and malic acid. Overall, our findings demonstrate that FsK primes tomato plants for drought tolerance through coordinated modulation of hormonal signaling, transcriptional regulation, and metabolic adjustment, providing insight into systemic mechanisms underlying endophyte-mediated stress resilience.

茄枯菌K （Fusarium solani strain K, FsK）是一种有益的根内生真菌，以前曾被证明可以增强番茄对生物胁迫的抵御能力。在这里，我们评估了FsK是否也能提高耐旱性，并研究了潜在的分子和代谢机制。番茄植株接种了FsK或模拟处理，并受到水分充足或减少灌溉的条件。对叶片组织进行生理测量、转录组分析（RNA-seq）、靶向激素定量和非靶向代谢组学分析，以评估植物的系统性反应。与未接种的胁迫植株相比，接种了fsk的植株表现出更强的抗旱性，表现出更高的相对含水量和生物量积累。RNA-seq分析揭示了与脱落酸（ABA）和茉莉酸（JA）信号通路、WRKY转录因子、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）信号通路和应激响应调节因子相关的基因的差异调控，包括几种显示启动型表达模式的转录本。代谢组学分析显示，FsK对叶片代谢成分有很强的影响，ABA、JA和特定代谢物（如山奈酚衍生物、d -氨基葡萄糖和苹果酸）显著增加。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，FsK通过协调调节激素信号、转录调节和代谢调节，为番茄植株耐旱性提供了基础，为内生菌介导的逆境抗性的系统机制提供了深入的了解。

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引用次数: 0

Comparative transcriptomic and correlation analyses revealed the vital role of PoCHX18 in the salt stress response of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) 比较转录组学和相关分析揭示了PoCHX18在马齿苋（马齿苋）盐胁迫响应中的重要作用。

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111049

Jincheng Xing , Guoli Sun , Jing Dong , Tingting He , Sunan He , Xiaomei Zhu , Yexiong Qian

Portulaca oleracea, a salt-tolerant plant endowed with both medicinal and nutritional properties, represents a high-value crop with significant potential for cultivation in saline-alkali agricultural systems. However, the salt tolerance regulatory mechanism of this organism remains incompletely characterized, with the functional roles of cation/H⁺ transporters being particularly poorly understood. In this study, transcriptomic sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in the roots and shoots of P. oleracea under salt stress conditions, with the aim of elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying salt stress responses in P. oleracea and uncovering the functional roles of key regulatory genes. Through integrated gene co-expression analysis, the candidate gene PoCHX18, which exhibited a strong association with salt stress response, was identified from RNA-Seq data. PoCHX18 belonged to the cation/H⁺ antiporter family, while subcellular localization assays confirmed its membrane localization. The heterologous expression of PoCHX18 in Arabidopsis markedly enhanced seed germination rates and primary root elongation of seedlings under salt stress conditions, while protecting the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system and decreasing water loss rate. Further investigations revealed that PoCHX18 modulated Na⁺ and K⁺ ion homeostasis in both leaf and root tissues of transgenic lines, concomitantly with a significant upregulation of sodium transporter-associated genes, including AtHKT1, AtNHX2, AtSOS3, and particularly AtNRT1.1. Overall, this study elucidates the vital role and regulatory mechanism of PoCHX18 in the salt stress response of P. oleracea, thereby providing novel molecular insights into the adaptive evolutionary mechanisms of salt-tolerant plants, along with valuable genetic resources and theoretical frameworks for the genetic enhancement of salt-tolerant crops.

马齿苋是一种具有药用和营养双重特性的耐盐植物，是一种在盐碱农业系统中具有巨大潜力的高价值作物。然而，这种生物的耐盐调节机制尚未完全确定，特别是阳离子/H+转运体的功能作用还不清楚。本研究通过转录组测序，鉴定盐胁迫条件下甘蓝根、芽中差异表达基因，旨在阐明甘蓝盐胁迫响应的分子机制，揭示关键调控基因的功能作用。通过整合基因共表达分析，从RNA-Seq数据中鉴定出与盐胁迫反应密切相关的候选基因PoCHX18。PoCHX18属于阳离子/H+反转运蛋白家族，而亚细胞定位实验证实了它的膜定位。PoCHX18在拟南芥中异源表达可显著提高盐胁迫条件下幼苗的种子发芽率和初生根伸长，同时保护活性氧（ROS）清除系统，降低水分流失率。进一步的研究发现，PoCHX18调节了转基因植株叶片和根组织中Na+和K+离子的稳态，并显著上调了钠转运体相关基因，包括AtHKT1、AtNHX2、AtSOS3，尤其是AtNRT1.1。总体而言，本研究阐明了PoCHX18在甘蓝盐胁迫响应中的重要作用和调控机制，为耐盐植物适应性进化机制提供了新的分子视角，为耐盐作物的遗传增强提供了宝贵的遗传资源和理论框架。

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引用次数: 0

Revisiting cell wall remodeling in Fragaria chiloensis fruit softening: evidence of strong modifications in HG, RG-I and RG-II 重访辣椒果实软化过程中细胞壁重塑：HG、RG-I和RG-II强修饰的证据

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111046

Dayan Sanhueza , Matías Ramos , Pablo Sepúlveda-Orellana , Raúl Herrera , Susana Saez-Aguayo , María Alejandra Moya-León

Fragaria chiloensis is a native, non-climacteric fruit that softens rapidly and intensively during ripening. Previous studies have indicated a reduction in cell wall (CW) material during fruit development, including a decrease in pectin content and changes in pectin solubility. Over time, several cell wall-modifying enzymes have been identified as participants in its softening process, such as FchXTH1, FchRGL, FchEXP2, FchPL and FchPG. By combining various biochemical techniques with the use of specific antibodies targeting different CW domains, an additional perspective on CW modifications was achieved. In the pectin-enriched fraction extracted from F. chiloensis fruit, homogalacturonans with both low and high degrees of methylation were detected, which decreased in abundance throughout development. Rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) domains substituted with arabinose and galactose side chains were also observed, with arabinose chains appearing to degrade in parallel with fruit softening. The presence of dimeric Rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) was detected, revealing the contribution of this pectic domain to maintaining cell wall stiffness during fruit ripening. Additionally, the presence of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) in the CW was confirmed. Regarding hemicellulosic polysaccharides, domains corresponding to xyloglucans and arabinoxylans were detected, with xylans present to a lesser extent. Changes in CW domains were tracked throughout the softening of F. chiloensis, confirming strong structural modifications in the CW that can be attributed to the activity of a diverse set of cell wall enzymes.

Fragaria chiloensis是一种原生的，非更年期的水果，在成熟过程中迅速而强烈地软化。以前的研究表明，在果实发育过程中，细胞壁（CW）物质减少，包括果胶含量减少和果胶溶解度的变化。随着时间的推移，几种细胞壁修饰酶被确定为其软化过程的参与者，如FchXTH1， FchRGL, FchEXP2， FchPL和FchPG。通过将各种生化技术与针对不同连续域的特异性抗体相结合，实现了对连续域修饰的另一种观点。在从紫果提取的果胶富集部分中，检测到低和高甲基化程度的均半乳糖醛酸，其丰度在发育过程中逐渐减少。鼠李糖半乳糖醛酸- i （RG-I）结构域被阿拉伯糖和半乳糖侧链取代，阿拉伯糖链似乎在水果软化的同时降解。检测到二聚体鼠李糖半乳糖醛酸- ii （RG-II）的存在，揭示了这种果胶结构域在果实成熟过程中对维持细胞壁硬度的贡献。此外，证实在CW中存在阿拉伯半乳聚糖蛋白（AGPs）。对于半纤维素多糖，检测到木葡聚糖和阿拉伯木聚糖对应的结构域，木聚糖的存在程度较低。在整个F. chiloensis软化过程中，连续域的变化被跟踪，证实了连续域的强烈结构修饰可以归因于多种细胞壁酶的活性。

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引用次数: 0

Comprehensive physiological and transcriptomic analysis revealed the tolerance mechanism of heavy metal cadmium in Quercus dentata 综合生理和转录组学分析揭示了齿栎对重金属镉的耐受机制

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111038

Meng Jiang , Xingyu Liu , Wei Ge , Wen-bo Wang , Jingjing Sha , Yazhou Zhao , Zenghui Hu , Xiangfeng He

Cd contamination poses significant ecological risks. Quercus dentata, a tree species of high ecological value, exhibits exceptional tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. This study used Q. dentata as material to investigate its physiological response characteristics and potential molecular mechanisms under different concentrations of Cd stress (0, 200, 400, 600 mg/L). Results showed that with increasing stress concentration, the growth and photosynthesis parameters of Q. dentata continued to decline, while cell membrane permeability parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, osmoregulatory substances, and Cd accumulation in various tissues continued to increase. Transcriptome sequencing also showed significant enrichment of photosynthesis, oxidative stress, amino acid synthesis, and ion binding-related genes (RBOH, SOS, POD). Based on the transcriptomic analysis, we found that numerous transcription factors (MYB, AP2, and WRKY) and heavy metal transport proteins (MTP, OPT, and HMP) played significant roles in the molecular mechanisms of Q. dentata's response to Cd stress. According to qPCR results, we identified the key gene QdMTP10.3, whose expression was continuously upregulated in different tissues with increasing treatment concentrations, conferring Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mn²⁺ tolerance to yeast cells. In summary, it is concluded that Q. dentata enhances its tolerance to Cd stress by modulating plasma membrane permeability, osmoregulatory substance content, and antioxidant enzyme system activity, while QdMTP10.3 gene plays a pivotal role in Cd response to heavy metal stress similarly, conferring potential for genetic improvement of heavy metal tolerance in plants.

镉污染造成严重的生态风险。齿栎是一种具有很高生态价值的树种，对恶劣的环境条件具有极强的耐受性。本研究以齿齿苋为材料，研究了不同浓度镉胁迫（0、200、400、600 mg/L）下齿齿苋的生理响应特性及可能的分子机制。结果表明，随着胁迫浓度的增加，齿齿苋的生长和光合参数持续下降，细胞膜通透性参数、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质和各组织Cd积累量持续增加。转录组测序也显示光合作用、氧化应激、氨基酸合成和离子结合相关基因（RBOH、SOS、POD）显著富集。通过转录组学分析，我们发现许多转录因子（MYB、AP2和WRKY）和重金属转运蛋白（MTP、OPT和HMP）在dentata对Cd胁迫响应的分子机制中发挥了重要作用。根据qPCR结果，我们确定了关键基因QdMTP10.3，随着处理浓度的增加，该基因在不同组织中的表达持续上调，使酵母细胞对Cd2+、Fe2+和Mn2+具有耐受性。综上所述，齿苋通过调节质膜通透性、渗透调节物质含量和抗氧化酶系统活性来增强对Cd胁迫的耐受性，而QdMTP10.3基因在Cd对重金属胁迫的响应中也起着类似的关键作用，具有遗传改良植物重金属耐受性的潜力。

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引用次数: 0

Maize stress-associated proteins ZmSAP1 and ZmSAP7 positively regulate salt stress tolerance 玉米胁迫相关蛋白ZmSAP1和ZmSAP7正调控玉米耐盐性

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-20 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111028

Fengzhong Lu , Yan Li , Huaming Duan , Liu He , Ruxiu He , Qi Tang , Yao Wang , Fengling Fu , Yanli Lu , Haoqiang Yu

Global soil salinization increasingly constrains crop growth and productivity. Stress-associated proteins (SAPs) are key regulators of plant stress responses and development. Here, we characterize two maize SAPs, ZmSAP1 and ZmSAP7, that confer enhanced salt tolerance. ZmSAP1 and ZmSAP7 genes harbor a 531 bp and 516 bp coding sequence (CDS), respectively, encoding intron-less A20/AN1-type zinc-finger proteins, and are ubiquitously expressed across maize tissues. Ectopic overexpression of ZmSAP1 or ZmSAP7 in Arabidopsis and rice significantly improved survival rate, root length, biomass, and relative water content (RWC) under salt stress. The transgenic lines also exhibited reduced relative electrical conductivity (REC), lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels, and elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, indicating enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in rice. Integrated RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses further revealed that ZmSAP1 and ZmSAP7 modulate the expression of multiple stress-responsive genes, thereby bolstering plant salt tolerance. These findings provide a basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying SAP-mediated salt stress responses.

全球土壤盐碱化日益制约作物生长和生产力。胁迫相关蛋白（SAPs）是植物逆境反应和发育的关键调控因子。在这里，我们描述了两个玉米sap， ZmSAP1和ZmSAP7，赋予增强的耐盐性。ZmSAP1和ZmSAP7基因编码序列（CDS）分别为531 bp和516 bp，编码无内含子的A20/ an1型锌指蛋白，在玉米组织中普遍表达。异位过表达ZmSAP1或ZmSAP7可显著提高拟南芥和水稻在盐胁迫下的存活率、根长、生物量和相对含水量（RWC）。转基因水稻的相对电导率（REC）降低，丙二醛（MDA）和过氧化氢（H2O2）水平降低，超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性升高，表明水稻对活性氧（ROS）的清除能力增强。综合RNA-seq和qRT-PCR分析进一步发现，ZmSAP1和ZmSAP7调控了多个胁迫响应基因的表达，从而增强了植物的耐盐性。这些发现为进一步阐明sap介导的盐胁迫反应的分子机制提供了基础。

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引用次数: 0

ZmMKK4, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, influences maize kernel size ZmMKK4是一种丝裂原活化蛋白激酶，影响玉米籽粒大小。

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-20 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111062

Haibo Qu , Binyan Yao , Wenhui Rao, Haonan Wu, Hao Li, Ziwei Mao, Yang Zhao, Haiyang Jiang, Min Chen

Maize kernel size is regulated by multiple genetic pathways, including the evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which plays crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, the function of MAPKK kinases in maize kernel development remains poorly understood. Here, we identified mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (ZmMKK4) as a positive regulator of kernel development in maize. ZmMKK4 is localized primarily in the nucleus and cytoplasm and shows high expression levels across multiple tissues, including kernels. Knockout mutants of zmmkk4 resulted in significantly reduced kernel size and weight, accompanied by severe impairments in kernel development. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in starch content accompanied by an increase in protein content in the mutant kernels. In summary, our study elucidates the role of ZmMKK4 in promoting kernel size and modulating starch and protein accumulation in maize, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying kernel development. These findings offer a theoretical foundation and a candidate gene for further research into maize kernel development and molecular breeding strategies.

玉米籽粒大小受多种遗传途径的调控，包括进化上保守的丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）级联，它在植物生长发育中起着至关重要的作用。然而，MAPKK激酶在玉米籽粒发育中的作用仍然知之甚少。在这里，我们鉴定了丝裂原激活蛋白激酶激酶4 （ZmMKK4）是玉米籽粒发育的正调节因子。ZmMKK4主要定位于细胞核和细胞质中，并在包括核在内的多种组织中表现出高表达水平。zmmkk4敲除突变体导致籽粒大小和重量显著减少，并伴有严重的籽粒发育损伤。此外，我们观察到突变体籽粒中淀粉含量的减少伴随着蛋白质含量的增加。总之，我们的研究阐明了ZmMKK4在促进玉米籽粒大小和调节淀粉和蛋白质积累中的作用，为了解玉米籽粒发育的分子机制提供了重要的见解。这些发现为进一步研究玉米籽粒发育和分子育种策略提供了理论基础和候选基因。

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引用次数: 0

GhWRKY70 interacted with GhMPK6 positively mediates drought tolerance in cotton GhWRKY70与GhMPK6互作对棉花抗旱性有正向调节作用

IF 5.7 2区生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Pub Date : 2026-01-19 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111040

Xiangyang Zhang , Xiaorou Zhang , Xiaoyue Wang , Huiyu You , Shujuan Li , Lulu Chen , Bo Yuan , Liping Ke , Yu Yu , Yuqiang Sun

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of plant development and abiotic stress responses and characterized by the presence of one or two WRKY domains (conserved motifs WRKYGQK) at the N-terminal and zinc-like motifs at the C-terminal; however, their functional roles in cotton drought resistance remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified GhWRKY70, a group III WRKY TF from Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), along with its homolog GsWRKY70 from the diploid wild cotton Gossypium stocksii. GhWRKY70 localizes predominantly to the nucleus and exhibits its highest expression in leaves. Its transcript levels were markedly upregulated under drought stress. Silencing GhWRKY70 compromised drought tolerance, leading to impaired stomatal closure, accelerated water loss, and reduced chlorophyll content in seedling and mature plants. These plants also accumulated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while showing diminished antioxidant enzyme activities. Conversely, transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing GhWRKY70 promoted stomatal closure, reduce water loss, increase antioxidant enzyme activity to scavenge ROS and MDA, and thereby enhanced the drought resistance of GhWRKY70-OE Arabidopsis lines. Further analyses indicated that GhWRKY70 modulated the expression of ABA-dependent signaling genes GhNCED3, GhRD29A and GhP5CS, and promoted ABA-induced stomatal closure. Through BiFC, LCI, and Y2H assays, we demonstrated that GhWRKY70 interacted with GhMPK6. Importantly, knockdown of GhMPK6 resulted in heightened drought sensitivity, resembling the GhWRKY70-silenced phenotype, suggesting their coordinated action within the MAPK signaling cascade during drought response. Collectively, our study establishes GhWRKY70 as a positive regulator of drought tolerance in cotton, acting through the regulation of stomatal movement, enhancement of ROS scavenging capacity, and involvement in both ABA signaling and MAPK pathways.

WRKY转录因子（TFs）是植物发育和非生物胁迫反应的关键调控因子，其特征是在n端存在一个或两个WRKY结构域（保守基序WRKYGQK），在c端存在锌样基序；然而，它们在棉花抗旱性中的功能作用在很大程度上仍未被探索。本研究鉴定了陆地棉（Gossypium hirsutum） III类WRKY TF基因GhWRKY70，以及来自二倍体野生棉（Gossypium stocksii）的同源基因GsWRKY70。GhWRKY70主要定位于细胞核，在叶片中表达量最高。干旱胁迫下其转录水平显著上调。沉默GhWRKY70会降低植物的抗旱性，导致气孔关闭受损，加速水分流失，降低幼苗和成熟植物的叶绿素含量。这些植物还积累了更多的活性氧（ROS）和丙二醛（MDA），而抗氧化酶活性降低。相反，过表达GhWRKY70的转基因拟南芥株系促进了气孔关闭，减少了水分流失，增加了清除ROS和MDA的抗氧化酶活性，从而增强了GhWRKY70- oe拟南芥株系的抗旱性。进一步分析表明，GhWRKY70可调节aba依赖性信号基因GhNCED3、GhRD29A和GhP5CS的表达，促进aba诱导的气孔关闭。通过bbic、LCI和Y2H分析，我们证实GhWRKY70与GhMPK6相互作用。重要的是，敲低GhMPK6导致干旱敏感性升高，类似于ghwrky70沉默表型，表明它们在干旱响应过程中在MAPK信号级联中协同作用。总之，我们的研究确定GhWRKY70是棉花抗旱性的积极调节因子，通过调节气孔运动，增强ROS清除能力，参与ABA信号通路和MAPK通路。

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引用次数: 0