Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-23DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113072
Tingting Han , Yongqi Zhang , Yajun Tang , Xiaodan Zhao , Guoming Wang , Junhui Zhou
Brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1) transcription factors are central regulators of brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and play key roles in plant growth and development, often through crosstalk with other hormone pathways such as auxin. However, their functions in strawberry remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of BZR1 family genes in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). Seven FveBZR1 genes encoding 11 transcript isoforms were identified and cloned. All the FveBZR1 family genes systematically analyzed with respect to their physicochemical properties, phylogeny, conserved motifs, gene structures, and promoter cis-elements. Expression profiling revealed divergent spatiotemporal patterns, among which FveBZR1–2 was predominantly expressed in early receptacle stages, suggesting a role in fruit development. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of FveBZR1–2 promoted receptacle elongation at early floral stages, whereas no significant effect was observed at later stages. Furthermore, LCI assays revealed that FveARF6 associates with multiple FveBZR1 proteins, including FveBZR1–2. The interaction between FveARF6 and FveBZR1–2 was further supported by Y2H and BiFC assays, while Co-IP assays provided additional biochemical evidence for the association between FveARF6 and another FveBZR1 member. Together, these findings provide the first comprehensive insight into the FveBZR1 gene family in strawberry and highlight FveBZR1–2 as a potential regulator of early receptacle elongation, advancing our understanding of hormone-mediated control of strawberry fruit development.
{"title":"Functional analysis of FveBZR1-2 reveals a potential auxin–BR regulatory module in early receptacle elongation of strawberry","authors":"Tingting Han , Yongqi Zhang , Yajun Tang , Xiaodan Zhao , Guoming Wang , Junhui Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113072","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113072","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1) transcription factors are central regulators of brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and play key roles in plant growth and development, often through crosstalk with other hormone pathways such as auxin. However, their functions in strawberry remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of <em>BZR1</em> family genes in woodland strawberry (<em>Fragaria vesca</em>). Seven <em>FveBZR1</em> genes encoding 11 transcript isoforms were identified and cloned. All the <em>FveBZR1</em> family genes systematically analyzed with respect to their physicochemical properties, phylogeny, conserved motifs, gene structures, and promoter cis-elements. Expression profiling revealed divergent spatiotemporal patterns, among which <em>FveBZR1–2</em> was predominantly expressed in early receptacle stages, suggesting a role in fruit development. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of <em>FveBZR1–2</em> promoted receptacle elongation at early floral stages, whereas no significant effect was observed at later stages. Furthermore, LCI assays revealed that FveARF6 associates with multiple FveBZR1 proteins, including FveBZR1–2. The interaction between FveARF6 and FveBZR1–2 was further supported by Y2H and BiFC assays, while Co-IP assays provided additional biochemical evidence for the association between FveARF6 and another FveBZR1 member. Together, these findings provide the first comprehensive insight into the <em>FveBZR1</em> gene family in strawberry and highlight <em>FveBZR1–2</em> as a potential regulator of early receptacle elongation, advancing our understanding of hormone-mediated control of strawberry fruit development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113072"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147309413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113080
Sinian Wu , Lisha Song , Yixi Chen , Cong Luo , Lingyun Wan , Guojian Liao , Wenjing Liang , Shugen Wei , Cuihong Yang , Yujian Huang , Ying Wei , Shixin Feng , Jine Fu , Haixia Yu
Rosa laevigata Michx. (R. laevigata) is an important horticultural plant with strong drought resistance and ornamental value. Its fruit can be used as medicine, but its fruits and stems are covered with dense prickles, which leads to difficulty for cultivation. The molecular mechanism of prickle development in R. laevigata is still unknown. In the present study, eighty-one prickle-related genes were found by transcriptome sequencing. A gene closely related to prickle development was selected for functional research, which was named TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (TTG1). RlTTG1 (Rl corresponds to R. laevigata) is highly expressed in the prickles rich tissues. Overexpression of RlTTG1 in Arabidopsis (At represents the species of Arabidopsis), a model plant where epidermal protrusions are termed trichomes (unlike the prickles in R. laevigata), caused an increased number of leaf trichomes but reduced root hair growth. When exposed to abiotic stress, the roots of overexpressed RlTTG1 lines grew longer than the wild type. And increased the seed germination rate under drought and salt stress. Physiological and biochemical tests showed that the contents of proline (Pro) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased, while the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly reduced. In addition, Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments found that RlTTG1 can interact with several trichome-related proteins, including ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 1 (RlETC1), ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 3 (RlETC3), Glabra 1a (RlGL1a), Glabra 1b (RlGL1b), and ENHANCER OF GLABRA 3 (RlEGL3). Overall, this study lays the foundation for the research on the molecular mechanism of prickle development and stress response in R. laevigata.
{"title":"RlTTG1 isolated from Rosa laevigata Michx. regulates trichome development and stress response in transgenic Arabidopsis","authors":"Sinian Wu , Lisha Song , Yixi Chen , Cong Luo , Lingyun Wan , Guojian Liao , Wenjing Liang , Shugen Wei , Cuihong Yang , Yujian Huang , Ying Wei , Shixin Feng , Jine Fu , Haixia Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rosa laevigata</em> Michx. (<em>R. laevigata</em>) is an important horticultural plant with strong drought resistance and ornamental value. Its fruit can be used as medicine, but its fruits and stems are covered with dense prickles, which leads to difficulty for cultivation. The molecular mechanism of prickle development in <em>R. laevigata</em> is still unknown. In the present study, eighty-one prickle-related genes were found by transcriptome sequencing. A gene closely related to prickle development was selected for functional research, which was named TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (TTG1). <em>RlTTG1</em> (Rl corresponds to <em>R. laevigat</em>a) is highly expressed in the prickles rich tissues. Overexpression of <em>RlTTG</em>1 in <em>Arabidopsis</em> (At represents the species of <em>Arabidopsis</em>), a model plant where epidermal protrusions are termed trichomes (unlike the prickles in <em>R. laevigata</em>), caused an increased number of leaf trichomes but reduced root hair growth. When exposed to abiotic stress, the roots of overexpressed <em>RlTTG1</em> lines grew longer than the wild type. And increased the seed germination rate under drought and salt stress. Physiological and biochemical tests showed that the contents of proline (Pro) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased, while the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly reduced. In addition, Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments found that RlTTG1 can interact with several trichome-related proteins, including ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 1 (RlETC1), ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 3 (RlETC3), Glabra 1a (RlGL1a), Glabra 1b (RlGL1b), and ENHANCER OF GLABRA 3 (RlEGL3). Overall, this study lays the foundation for the research on the molecular mechanism of prickle development and stress response in <em>R. laevigata</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113080"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147321915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113065
Yang Bai , Yichuan Xu , Xiwu Qi , Li Li , Xu Yu , Hailing Fang , Dongmei Liu , Fei Chen , Chengyuan Liang
WRKY transcription factors play key roles in plant development and growth, as well as in response to stress and metabolism. Hence, WRKY members have been identified in many plant species; however, few reports are available on the WRKY family in mint (Mentha canadensis). Therefore, this study employed phylogenetic analyses to identify a mint WRKY Group I gene named McTTG2. McTTG2 is widely expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs, encoding a nuclear protein with no transcriptional auto-activation activity in yeast cells. By a heterologous complementation study, McTTG2 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana ttg2-7 mutant plants, which significantly increased trichome number and proanthocyanidin (PA) accumulation. Consistent with these phenotypes in McTTG2-overexpressing lines, the expression of several key genes involved in trichome formation, such as AtGL2, AtTRY, and AtBRK1, as well as PA biosynthesis, including AtTT12 and AtTT13, was altered. Y1H and Dual-Luciferase assays revealed that McTTG2 could bind the promoters and activate the expression of these genes. These results suggest that McTTG2 positively controls trichome development and PA biosynthesis by regulating the expression of genes related to trichome development (AtGL2, AtTRY, and AtBRK1) and PA biosynthesis (AtTT12 and AtTT13) in transgenic plants.
{"title":"Overexpression of the Mentha canadensis McTTG2 gene positively regulates trichome development and proanthocyanidins biosynthesis in transgenic Arabidopsis","authors":"Yang Bai , Yichuan Xu , Xiwu Qi , Li Li , Xu Yu , Hailing Fang , Dongmei Liu , Fei Chen , Chengyuan Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>WRKY transcription factors play key roles in plant development and growth, as well as in response to stress and metabolism. Hence, WRKY members have been identified in many plant species; however, few reports are available on the WRKY family in mint (<em>Mentha canadensis</em>). Therefore, this study employed phylogenetic analyses to identify a mint WRKY Group I gene named <em>McTTG2</em>. <em>McTTG2</em> is widely expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs, encoding a nuclear protein with no transcriptional auto-activation activity in yeast cells. By a heterologous complementation study, <em>McTTG2</em> was overexpressed in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana ttg2</em>-7 mutant plants, which significantly increased trichome number and proanthocyanidin (PA) accumulation. Consistent with these phenotypes in <em>McTTG2</em>-overexpressing lines, the expression of several key genes involved in trichome formation, such as <em>AtGL2</em>, <em>AtTRY</em>, and <em>AtBRK1</em>, as well as PA biosynthesis, including <em>AtTT12</em> and <em>AtTT13</em>, was altered. Y1H and Dual-Luciferase assays revealed that McTTG2 could bind the promoters and activate the expression of these genes. These results suggest that McTTG2 positively controls trichome development and PA biosynthesis by regulating the expression of genes related to trichome development (<em>AtGL2</em>, <em>AtTRY</em>, and <em>AtBRK1</em>) and PA biosynthesis (<em>AtTT12</em> and <em>AtTT13</em>) in transgenic plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113065"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146776525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113069
Mengdan Li , Wenyu Sun , Mengjie Wu, Fangyan Li, Zhen Cao, Nian Liu, Longjun Cheng
Phoebe bournei is a valuable timber species endemic to southern China, renowned for its economic and ecological importance. However, the widespread low phosphorus level in the acidic soils of this region severely constrains the productivity of P. bournei plantations. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing phosphorus uptake, translocation, and homeostasis in P. bournei is therefore essential for breeding varieties with enhanced tolerance to low phosphorus conditions. The current study focuses on PbWRKY66, a group II WRKY transcription factor that was identified and characterized in Phoebe bournei. Under phosphorus deficient conditions, PbWRKY66 expression was markedly induced in leaves but strongly suppressed in roots during prolonged phosphorus deprivation. The PbWRKY66 protein was localized in the nucleus and exhibited transactivation activity. Expression analysis in different tissues revealed that PbWRKY66 transcripts accumulated predominantly in stems and leaves, while the assays of GUS reporter driven by promoter of PbWRKY66 demonstrated strong promoter activity in leaves vein, vascular tissues of stems and roots, flower stalk base, and lateral root tips. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines overexpressing PbWRKY66 displayed higher sensitivity to phosphorus deficiency, characterized by reduced root elongation, small aerial parts, and increased anthocyanin accumulation compared to the wild type. Phosphorus starvation also resulted in markedly lower total phosphorus in shoots and roots and reduced inorganic phosphate in leaves of the transgenic lines compared with those of the wild type plants. Moreover, the expression of AtPHT1;1, AtPHT1;4, and AtPHO1, which are central to phosphorus uptake and transport, was substantially repressed in PbWRKY66-OE roots, whereas AtSPX1, a negative regulator of the phosphate starvation response, was upregulated. Collectively, these findings point to PbWRKY66 functioning as a negative modulator in the control of phosphorus uptake, translocation from roots to shoots, and phosphate starvation signaling, thereby contributing to the modulation of phosphorus homeostasis under phosphorus deficiency stress in plants.
{"title":"Overexpression of PbWRKY66 negatively regulate phosphate uptake and root-to-shoot distribution in Arabidopsis","authors":"Mengdan Li , Wenyu Sun , Mengjie Wu, Fangyan Li, Zhen Cao, Nian Liu, Longjun Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113069","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113069","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Phoebe bournei</em> is a valuable timber species endemic to southern China, renowned for its economic and ecological importance. However, the widespread low phosphorus level in the acidic soils of this region severely constrains the productivity of <em>P. bournei</em> plantations. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing phosphorus uptake, translocation, and homeostasis in <em>P. bournei</em> is therefore essential for breeding varieties with enhanced tolerance to low phosphorus conditions. The current study focuses on PbWRKY66, a group II WRKY transcription factor that was identified and characterized in <em>Phoebe bournei</em>. Under phosphorus deficient conditions, <em>PbWRKY66</em> expression was markedly induced in leaves but strongly suppressed in roots during prolonged phosphorus deprivation. The PbWRKY66 protein was localized in the nucleus and exhibited transactivation activity. Expression analysis in different tissues revealed that PbWRKY66 transcripts accumulated predominantly in stems and leaves, while the assays of GUS reporter driven by promoter of <em>PbWRKY66</em> demonstrated strong promoter activity in leaves vein, vascular tissues of stems and roots, flower stalk base, and lateral root tips. Transgenic <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> lines overexpressing PbWRKY66 displayed higher sensitivity to phosphorus deficiency, characterized by reduced root elongation, small aerial parts, and increased anthocyanin accumulation compared to the wild type. Phosphorus starvation also resulted in markedly lower total phosphorus in shoots and roots and reduced inorganic phosphate in leaves of the transgenic lines compared with those of the wild type plants. Moreover, the expression of <em>AtPHT1;1</em>, <em>AtPHT1;4</em>, and <em>AtPHO1</em>, which are central to phosphorus uptake and transport, was substantially repressed in PbWRKY66-OE roots, whereas <em>AtSPX1</em>, a negative regulator of the phosphate starvation response, was upregulated. Collectively, these findings point to PbWRKY66 functioning as a negative modulator in the control of phosphorus uptake, translocation from roots to shoots, and phosphate starvation signaling, thereby contributing to the modulation of phosphorus homeostasis under phosphorus deficiency stress in plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113069"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147271581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113085
Zan Wu, Tao Yang
Kernel texture is a crucial agronomic trait that determines crop yield and nutrient quality, yet limited genes with breeding potentials have been identified for texture improvement. In maize, the endosperm-filling central regulator Opaque2 coordinately regulates starch and protein synthesis and plays pivotal roles in vitreous endosperm formation. In this study, we specifically overexpressed Opaque2 in the developing endosperm driven by the 27-kD γ zein promoter to investigate the effects on kernel texture, yield and nutrient quality. Notably, overexpression of Opaque2 enhanced test weight and 100-kernel weight despite reduced kernel dimensions. The overexpressed kernels exhibited improved kernel texture with expanded vitreous endosperm regions. Furthermore, the starch contents were increased, including elevated levels of amylose and amylopectin. The starch granules in the overexpressed endosperms were denser and more tightly packed. Zein accumulation was dramatically elevated in the overexpressed kernels in comparison with wild type, whereas nonzein levels were slightly decreased, resulting in elevated total protein synthesis. Further transcriptomic analysis comprehensively revealed that the Opaque2 overexpression positively influences a series of biological processes to precisely modulate vitreous endosperm formation and texture improvement. This work provides a novel insight into maize texture improvement through endosperm-specific overexpression of Opaque2.
{"title":"Endosperm-specific overexpression of Opaque2 improves maize kernel texture","authors":"Zan Wu, Tao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kernel texture is a crucial agronomic trait that determines crop yield and nutrient quality, yet limited genes with breeding potentials have been identified for texture improvement. In maize, the endosperm-filling central regulator Opaque2 coordinately regulates starch and protein synthesis and plays pivotal roles in vitreous endosperm formation. In this study, we specifically overexpressed <em>Opaque2</em> in the developing endosperm driven by the <em>27-kD γ zein</em> promoter to investigate the effects on kernel texture, yield and nutrient quality. Notably, overexpression of <em>Opaque2</em> enhanced test weight and 100-kernel weight despite reduced kernel dimensions. The overexpressed kernels exhibited improved kernel texture with expanded vitreous endosperm regions. Furthermore, the starch contents were increased, including elevated levels of amylose and amylopectin. The starch granules in the overexpressed endosperms were denser and more tightly packed. Zein accumulation was dramatically elevated in the overexpressed kernels in comparison with wild type, whereas nonzein levels were slightly decreased, resulting in elevated total protein synthesis. Further transcriptomic analysis comprehensively revealed that the <em>Opaque2</em> overexpression positively influences a series of biological processes to precisely modulate vitreous endosperm formation and texture improvement. This work provides a novel insight into maize texture improvement through endosperm-specific overexpression of <em>Opaque2</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113085"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147344936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zinc (Zn) deficiency significantly impacts plant growth and productivity in agriculture. Seed priming is a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to nutrient deficiencies. This study examines the effects of priming barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds with silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), nitric oxide (NO), and their combination on germination and growth under Zn-deficient conditions. Primed seedlings showed superior growth, and improved photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, the ascorbate-glutathione cycle function, nutrient-related gene expression, and sucrose metabolism compared to the un-primed seedlings. Among the priming methods, the combination of SiNPs and NO had the most significant positive effect on barley growth under Zn deficiency. Priming of seeds with SiNPs was more effective against Zn deficiency than external SiNPs application at the seedling stage. Exogenous SiNPs added to already SiNPs-primed seedlings further improved growth under Zn deficiency. Contrary to this, NO addition to NO-primed seedlings inhibited growth due to excessive endogenous NO accumulation. Co-application of SiNPs and NO to SiNPs+NO- primed seedlings led to severe growth retardation due to build-up of endogenous NO production. These findings highlight seed priming's potential, especially with SiNPs, to address nutrient deficiencies in agriculture and the complex interactions of endogenous NO in priming-mediated regulation of Zn deficiency in barley.
{"title":"Seed priming with silicon nanoparticles and nitric oxide optimizes barley growth in zinc-deficient condition: A crucial role of optimum level of endogenous nitric oxide","authors":"Nidhi Kandhol , Sangeeta Pandey , Santosh Kumar , Shivesh Sharma , Samiksha Singh , Prasanta K. Dash , Durgesh Kumar Tripathi","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.112998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.112998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zinc (Zn) deficiency significantly impacts plant growth and productivity in agriculture. Seed priming is a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to nutrient deficiencies. This study examines the effects of priming barley (<em>Hordeum vulgare</em> L.) seeds with silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), nitric oxide (NO), and their combination on germination and growth under Zn-deficient conditions. Primed seedlings showed superior growth, and improved photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, the ascorbate-glutathione cycle function, nutrient-related gene expression, and sucrose metabolism compared to the un-primed seedlings. Among the priming methods, the combination of SiNPs and NO had the most significant positive effect on barley growth under Zn deficiency. Priming of seeds with SiNPs was more effective against Zn deficiency than external SiNPs application at the seedling stage. Exogenous SiNPs added to already SiNPs-primed seedlings further improved growth under Zn deficiency. Contrary to this, NO addition to NO-primed seedlings inhibited growth due to excessive endogenous NO accumulation. Co-application of SiNPs and NO to SiNPs+NO- primed seedlings led to severe growth retardation due to build-up of endogenous NO production. These findings highlight seed priming's potential, especially with SiNPs, to address nutrient deficiencies in agriculture and the complex interactions of endogenous NO in priming-mediated regulation of Zn deficiency in barley.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 112998"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-18DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113040
Haojie Fan , Aerguli Jiamahate , Jianwei Zhang , Honglan Yang , Tohir A. Bozorov , Xiaoshuan Li , Xiujin Liu , Jinbiao Ma , Jianbo Zhu , Daoyuan Zhang
Plants are often subjected to drought stress, which can significantly inhibit their growth and development. Previous studies have found that the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) gene family plays an important role in plant stress adaptation by detoxifying reactive aldehydes and mitigating oxidative damage. In this study, 18 ALDH genes were identified and systematically analyzed from the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of the desiccation-tolerant Syntrichia caninervis, an excellent tolerance moss to drought, cold and radiation. Phylogenetic analysis classified these ScALDHs into 11 subfamilies, demonstrating high conservation across plant lineages from bryophytes to angiosperms. Promoter region analysis revealed an abundance of stress-responsive cis-acting elements with ABRE and ARE motifs. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated significant upregulation of key ScALDH genes under dehydration, rehydration, and ABA treatments, including ScALDH2B2, ScALDH7B4, ScALDH11A2, and ScALDH21A2. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further implicated these genes are involved in pathways related to drought response, oxidoreductase activity, and photosynthesis regulation. Heterologous expression of these canditate genes in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced drought tolerance by improved root architecture, elevated ROS scavenging capacity. The study reveals the evolutionary conservation and functional diversity of ALDH genes in S.caninervis, providing a theoretical foundation for their application in stress-resistant crop breeding.
{"title":"Genome-wide characterization and functional analysis of ScALDH genes reveals their contribution to growth maintenance and drought tolerance in plants","authors":"Haojie Fan , Aerguli Jiamahate , Jianwei Zhang , Honglan Yang , Tohir A. Bozorov , Xiaoshuan Li , Xiujin Liu , Jinbiao Ma , Jianbo Zhu , Daoyuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plants are often subjected to drought stress, which can significantly inhibit their growth and development. Previous studies have found that the aldehyde dehydrogenase (<em>ALDH</em>) gene family plays an important role in plant stress adaptation by detoxifying reactive aldehydes and mitigating oxidative damage. In this study, 18 <em>ALDH</em> genes were identified and systematically analyzed from the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of the desiccation-tolerant <em>Syntrichia caninervis</em>, an excellent tolerance moss to drought, cold and radiation. Phylogenetic analysis classified these <em>ScALDH</em>s into 11 subfamilies, demonstrating high conservation across plant lineages from bryophytes to angiosperms. Promoter region analysis revealed an abundance of stress-responsive cis-acting elements with ABRE and ARE motifs. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated significant upregulation of key <em>ScALDH</em> genes under dehydration, rehydration, and ABA treatments, including <em>ScALDH2B2</em>, <em>ScALDH7B4</em>, <em>ScALDH11A2</em>, and <em>ScALDH21A2</em>. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further implicated these genes are involved in pathways related to drought response, oxidoreductase activity, and photosynthesis regulation. Heterologous expression of these canditate genes in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> enhanced drought tolerance by improved root architecture, elevated ROS scavenging capacity. The study reveals the evolutionary conservation and functional diversity of <em>ALDH</em> genes in <em>S.caninervis</em>, providing a theoretical foundation for their application in stress-resistant crop breeding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113040"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146259114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113081
Jiaxuan Yu , Jing He , Bowei Zhu , Muhammad Moaaz Ali , Juhua Liu , Xinguo Li
Salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits banana (Musa acuminata) growth and productivity. Transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating plant stress responses; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in banana remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized MaMYB102, an R2R3-type MYB transcription factor that positively regulates salt tolerance in banana. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that MaMYB102 is a nuclear protein. Transient overexpression of MaMYB102 in banana leaves enhanced salt tolerance, as evidenced by reduced chlorosis, elevated antioxidant capacity, and decreased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation under 0.3 M NaCl treatment. Conversely, transient silencing of MaMYB102 increased salt sensitivity and oxidative damage. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that MaMYB102 binds directly to the promoter region of MaBADH, a key gene involved in glycine betaine (GB) biosynthesis. Dual-luciferase assays further confirmed that MaMYB102 activates MaBADH transcription. Overexpression of MaMYB102 increased MaBADH expression and GB accumulation, whereas silencing MaMYB102 suppressed both. Collectively, our results reveal that MaMYB102 enhances salt tolerance in banana by activating MaBADH-mediated glycine betaine biosynthesis, thereby improving redox homeostasis under saline conditions. This study provides novel insights into the MYB-regulated salt stress response and offers a potential target for developing salt-tolerant banana cultivars.
{"title":"MaMYB102 enhances salt tolerance in banana (Musa acuminata) by activating MaBADH-mediated glycine betaine biosynthesis","authors":"Jiaxuan Yu , Jing He , Bowei Zhu , Muhammad Moaaz Ali , Juhua Liu , Xinguo Li","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113081","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits banana (<em>Musa acuminata</em>) growth and productivity. Transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating plant stress responses; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in banana remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized <em>MaMYB102</em>, an R2R3-type MYB transcription factor that positively regulates salt tolerance in banana. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that <em>MaMYB102</em> is a nuclear protein. Transient overexpression of <em>MaMYB102</em> in banana leaves enhanced salt tolerance, as evidenced by reduced chlorosis, elevated antioxidant capacity, and decreased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation under 0.3 M NaCl treatment. Conversely, transient silencing of <em>MaMYB102</em> increased salt sensitivity and oxidative damage. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that <em>MaMYB102</em> binds directly to the promoter region of <em>MaBADH</em>, a key gene involved in glycine betaine (GB) biosynthesis. Dual-luciferase assays further confirmed that <em>MaMYB102</em> activates <em>MaBADH</em> transcription. Overexpression of <em>MaMYB102</em> increased <em>MaBADH</em> expression and GB accumulation, whereas silencing <em>MaMYB102</em> suppressed both. Collectively, our results reveal that <em>MaMYB102</em> enhances salt tolerance in banana by activating <em>MaBADH</em>-mediated glycine betaine biosynthesis, thereby improving redox homeostasis under saline conditions. This study provides novel insights into the MYB-regulated salt stress response and offers a potential target for developing salt-tolerant banana cultivars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 113081"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147321901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113048
Ziye Nie , Xiaochen Wang , Xianju Liu , Yi Wang , Tingting Zhang , Zhenchang Liang , Peige Fan
Linalool is a key aromatic terpene that imparts the characteristic Muscat flavor in grape berries. However, the upstream transcriptional mechanisms regulating its biosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, integrated GC-MS and transcriptomic analyses across berry development in Muscat and non-Muscat cultivars identified VvTPS14 as a terpene synthase gene whose expression strongly correlated with the linalool accumulation pattern. Functional characterization confirmed that VvTPS14–2 encodes a chloroplast-localized enzyme that catalyzes linalool biosynthesis from GPP in vitro. Transient and stable overexpression of VvTPS14–2 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, grape berries, and Vitis amurensis callus consistently enhanced linalool production, establishing VvTPS14 as a key linalool synthase. Upstream regulatory mechanisms of VvTPS14 were elucidated through yeast one-hybrid screening, which identified VvbZIP3 and VvMADS4 as direct binders of the VvTPS14 promoter. Dual-luciferase and overexpression assays demonstrated that VvbZIP3–4 (a splice variant) activates, whereas VvMADS4 represses, the expression of VvTPS14. This regulatory pattern was conserved across heterologous and homologous systems. These findings reveal a complete transcriptional regulatory module controlling linalool biosynthesis and provide potential targets for molecular breeding of flavor traits in grapes.
{"title":"VvTPS14 is a linalool synthase activated by VvbZIP3 and repressed by VvMADS4","authors":"Ziye Nie , Xiaochen Wang , Xianju Liu , Yi Wang , Tingting Zhang , Zhenchang Liang , Peige Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Linalool is a key aromatic terpene that imparts the characteristic Muscat flavor in grape berries. However, the upstream transcriptional mechanisms regulating its biosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, integrated GC-MS and transcriptomic analyses across berry development in Muscat and non-Muscat cultivars identified <em>VvTPS14</em> as a terpene synthase gene whose expression strongly correlated with the linalool accumulation pattern. Functional characterization confirmed that <em>VvTPS14–2</em> encodes a chloroplast-localized enzyme that catalyzes linalool biosynthesis from GPP <em>in vitro</em>. Transient and stable overexpression of <em>VvTPS14–2</em> in <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em> leaves, grape berries, and <em>Vitis amurensis</em> callus consistently enhanced linalool production, establishing <em>VvTPS14</em> as a key linalool synthase. Upstream regulatory mechanisms of <em>VvTPS14</em> were elucidated through yeast one-hybrid screening, which identified VvbZIP3 and VvMADS4 as direct binders of the <em>VvTPS14</em> promoter. Dual-luciferase and overexpression assays demonstrated that VvbZIP3–4 (a splice variant) activates, whereas VvMADS4 represses, the expression of <em>VvTPS14</em>. This regulatory pattern was conserved across heterologous and homologous systems. These findings reveal a complete transcriptional regulatory module controlling linalool biosynthesis and provide potential targets for molecular breeding of flavor traits in grapes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113048"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146166300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113051
Dandan Su , Wenhua Du
The TCP (Teosinte Branched1/Cycloidea/Proliferating Cell Factor) gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in regulating plant architecture, hormone signaling, and stress responses. While TCP genes have been characterized in model species, their genome-wide identification and functional roles in red clover (Trifolium pratense), a globally significant perennial forage legume, remain largely unexplored. In this study, 25 TpTCP genes were identified in the red clover genome and classified into three subfamilies: PCF, CYC/TB1, and CIN. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the expansion of the TpTCP family was primarily driven by polyploidy levels and specific duplication events, rather than genome size. Members within each clade exhibited consistent exon-intron organization and conserved motif compositions. Structural analysis confirmed that these proteins possess a characteristic basic-helix I-loop-helix II domain. Promoter analysis revealed abundant cis-elements related to growth, hormonal regulation, and abiotic stress. Integrating phylogenetic analysis with transcriptome profiling, we identified TpTCP18, a member of the CYC/TB1 subclade, as a primary candidate due to its high tissue-specific expression in axillary buds and lateral branches (up to 34-fold higher than in roots). Subcellular localization confirmed that TpTCP18 is a nuclear-localized protein. Heterologous overexpression of TpTCP18 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly reduced shoot branching, delayed bolting, and modified leaf morphology. Molecular characterization revealed that TpTCP18 integrates into the endogenous regulatory network of A. thaliana by significantly up-regulating the transcript levels of the branching repressor AtHB21 in lateral organs. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the TCP gene family in red clover and identifies TpTCP18 as a conserved negative regulator of axillary bud outgrowth. These findings demonstrate that TpTCP18 modulates plant architecture through the TCP-HB signaling module, offering a valuable molecular target for the genetic improvement of forage yield and quality in red clover.
{"title":"Genome-wide characterization of the TCP gene family in red clover (Trifolium pratense) and functional analysis of TpTCP18 in branching regulation","authors":"Dandan Su , Wenhua Du","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113051","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113051","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The TCP (Teosinte Branched1/Cycloidea/Proliferating Cell Factor) gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in regulating plant architecture, hormone signaling, and stress responses. While <em>TCP</em> genes have been characterized in model species, their genome-wide identification and functional roles in red clover (<em>Trifolium pratense</em>), a globally significant perennial forage legume, remain largely unexplored. In this study, 25 <em>TpTCP</em> genes were identified in the red clover genome and classified into three subfamilies: PCF, CYC/TB1, and CIN. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the expansion of the TpTCP family was primarily driven by polyploidy levels and specific duplication events, rather than genome size. Members within each clade exhibited consistent exon-intron organization and conserved motif compositions. Structural analysis confirmed that these proteins possess a characteristic basic-helix I-loop-helix II domain. Promoter analysis revealed abundant cis-elements related to growth, hormonal regulation, and abiotic stress. Integrating phylogenetic analysis with transcriptome profiling, we identified <em>TpTCP18</em>, a member of the CYC/TB1 subclade, as a primary candidate due to its high tissue-specific expression in axillary buds and lateral branches (up to 34-fold higher than in roots). Subcellular localization confirmed that TpTCP18 is a nuclear-localized protein. Heterologous overexpression of <em>TpTCP18</em> in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> significantly reduced shoot branching, delayed bolting, and modified leaf morphology. Molecular characterization revealed that <em>TpTCP18</em> integrates into the endogenous regulatory network of <em>A. thaliana</em> by significantly up-regulating the transcript levels of the branching repressor <em>AtHB21</em> in lateral organs. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the TCP gene family in red clover and identifies <em>TpTCP18</em> as a conserved negative regulator of axillary bud outgrowth. These findings demonstrate that <em>TpTCP18</em> modulates plant architecture through the TCP-HB signaling module, offering a valuable molecular target for the genetic improvement of forage yield and quality in red clover.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113051"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}