Cold stress limits the growth, development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in response to cold stress. However, besides the canonical MAPK cascades, it is unclear whether other kinases directly activate MAPKs under cold stress. Here, we identified brassinosteroid-signaling kinase 4 (ZmBSK4) as an upstream kinase of ZmMAPK4 in regulating cold tolerance. Functional analysis demonstrated that ZmMAPK4 and ZmBSK4 positively regulate cold tolerance in maize. ZmBSK4 directly interacts with and phosphorylates ZmMAPK4 at Ser-171. This Ser-171 phosphorylation augments ZmMAPK4 kinase activity and improves maize cold tolerance. Furthermore, we identified two ZmMAPK4-interacting substrates: the two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181. ZmMAPK4 phosphorylates ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181. Ser-171 phosphorylation enhances ZmMAPK4-mediated phosphorylation of ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181, which promotes their transcriptional activity. Then, ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181 induce the expression of the cold-responsive genes Zea mays dehydration response element binding protein1.2/1.4/1.9/1.10 (ZmDREB1.2/1.4/1.9/1.10), thereby enhancing cold tolerance in maize. Taken together, ZmBSK4 phosphorylating ZmMAPK4 at Ser-171 enhances ZmMAPK4-mediated phosphorylation of ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181, which promotes their activity, ultimately triggering the expression of the cold-responsive ZmDREB1 genes and enhancing maize cold tolerance. Our results reveal a non-canonical MAPK regulatory mechanism for enhancing cold tolerance in maize.
{"title":"Brassinosteroid-signaling kinase 4 activates mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 to enhance cold stress tolerance in maize.","authors":"Chen Zhang,Guangdong Li,Yitian Pan,Qian Li,Yadan Miao,Yang Xiang,Aying Zhang","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf234","url":null,"abstract":"Cold stress limits the growth, development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in response to cold stress. However, besides the canonical MAPK cascades, it is unclear whether other kinases directly activate MAPKs under cold stress. Here, we identified brassinosteroid-signaling kinase 4 (ZmBSK4) as an upstream kinase of ZmMAPK4 in regulating cold tolerance. Functional analysis demonstrated that ZmMAPK4 and ZmBSK4 positively regulate cold tolerance in maize. ZmBSK4 directly interacts with and phosphorylates ZmMAPK4 at Ser-171. This Ser-171 phosphorylation augments ZmMAPK4 kinase activity and improves maize cold tolerance. Furthermore, we identified two ZmMAPK4-interacting substrates: the two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181. ZmMAPK4 phosphorylates ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181. Ser-171 phosphorylation enhances ZmMAPK4-mediated phosphorylation of ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181, which promotes their transcriptional activity. Then, ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181 induce the expression of the cold-responsive genes Zea mays dehydration response element binding protein1.2/1.4/1.9/1.10 (ZmDREB1.2/1.4/1.9/1.10), thereby enhancing cold tolerance in maize. Taken together, ZmBSK4 phosphorylating ZmMAPK4 at Ser-171 enhances ZmMAPK4-mediated phosphorylation of ZmbHLH111 and ZmbHLH181, which promotes their activity, ultimately triggering the expression of the cold-responsive ZmDREB1 genes and enhancing maize cold tolerance. Our results reveal a non-canonical MAPK regulatory mechanism for enhancing cold tolerance in maize.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"102 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Einspanier, C Tominello-Ramirez, F Delplace, R Stam
Wild relatives of crop species possess diverse levels of quantitative disease resistance (QDR) to biotic stresses. The genomic and regulatory mechanisms underlying these differences are poorly understood. How QDR against a generalist necrotrophic pathogen evolved and whether it is driven by conserved or species-specific regulatory networks remains unclear. We examined the transcriptomic responses of five diverse wild tomato species that span a gradient of QDR. We initially hypothesized that conserved regulatory modules might control QDR. We use differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to find instead that species-specific regulatory features, encompassing both infection-induced and constitutively expressed genes, predominantly shape QDR levels. To further dissect the evolutionary basis of these regulatory patterns, we performed phylotranscriptomic analyses of gene regulatory networks. Notably, our findings reveal that the conserved NAC transcription factor 29 is pivotal in developing disease resistance only in S. pennellii. The differential regulation and altered downstream signaling pathways of NAC29 provide evidence for its co-option in the resistance mechanisms of S. pennellii. The role of NAC29 in conferring resistance is confirmed by the presence of a premature stop codon in susceptible S. pennellii genotypes. This finding highlights the species-specific rewiring of gene regulatory networks by repurposing a conserved regulatory element to effectively enhance resistance against pathogens. These results offer insights into the evolutionary and regulatory complexity underlying QDR and emphasize the significance of species-specific gene regulation in shaping resistance against a cosmopolitan necrotrophic pathogen.
{"title":"Co-option of transcription factors drives evolution of quantitative disease resistance against a necrotrophic pathogen","authors":"S Einspanier, C Tominello-Ramirez, F Delplace, R Stam","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf233","url":null,"abstract":"Wild relatives of crop species possess diverse levels of quantitative disease resistance (QDR) to biotic stresses. The genomic and regulatory mechanisms underlying these differences are poorly understood. How QDR against a generalist necrotrophic pathogen evolved and whether it is driven by conserved or species-specific regulatory networks remains unclear. We examined the transcriptomic responses of five diverse wild tomato species that span a gradient of QDR. We initially hypothesized that conserved regulatory modules might control QDR. We use differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to find instead that species-specific regulatory features, encompassing both infection-induced and constitutively expressed genes, predominantly shape QDR levels. To further dissect the evolutionary basis of these regulatory patterns, we performed phylotranscriptomic analyses of gene regulatory networks. Notably, our findings reveal that the conserved NAC transcription factor 29 is pivotal in developing disease resistance only in S. pennellii. The differential regulation and altered downstream signaling pathways of NAC29 provide evidence for its co-option in the resistance mechanisms of S. pennellii. The role of NAC29 in conferring resistance is confirmed by the presence of a premature stop codon in susceptible S. pennellii genotypes. This finding highlights the species-specific rewiring of gene regulatory networks by repurposing a conserved regulatory element to effectively enhance resistance against pathogens. These results offer insights into the evolutionary and regulatory complexity underlying QDR and emphasize the significance of species-specific gene regulation in shaping resistance against a cosmopolitan necrotrophic pathogen.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145195148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miaoyuan Hua,Wenzhe Yin,Alison C Tidy,José Fernández Gómez,Huanjun Li,Shuya Shi,Guangwei Xing,Jie Zong,Zoe A Wilson
The production of viable pollen is essential for effective fertilization and optimal crop yields; however, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains limited. Here, we characterize a barley (Hordeum vulgare) anther bHLH gene, DEFECTIVE TAPETUM TRANSITION1 (DTT1), a gatekeeper that regulates tapetum development. The dtt1 mutant is male sterile, failing to acquire tapetum cell fate identity with over-proliferation of indeterminate tapetal precursor cells, a lack of tapetum endomitosis, and cell wall degeneration. DTT1 forms heterodimers with DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM1 (HvDYT1) through bHLH and ACT-like(BIF) domains, with the ACT-like(BIF) domain and the IKL motif critical in partner selection. These heterodimers may subsequently interact with each other through the bHLH-ACT-like(BIF) domain to activate expression. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that anther development transition from stage 6 to 7 fails in dtt1. We show that HvTDF1-related pathways are downstream of DTT1 and work in independent and overlapping networks with other conserved tapetum regulators. SELEX-seq analysis indicates that DTT1 can bind to DNA with a chimeric or canonical E-box motif only when it forms a complex with HvDYT1. In vivo dual-luciferase assays confirmed that the DTT1-HvDYT1 complex directly regulates the expression of several stage 7-specific transcription factors, such as HvTDF1, HvEAT1, and the identified GAMYB target genes. Therefore, the paired DTT1-HvDYT1 complex appears crucial in orchestrating the transition of tapetum cell fate by modulating genes involved in diverse biological pathways. This work uncovers detailed relationships in barley tapetum regulation and male fertility.
{"title":"The bHLH transcription factor DTT1 is part of a paired key that unlocks the tapetum transition in barley anther development.","authors":"Miaoyuan Hua,Wenzhe Yin,Alison C Tidy,José Fernández Gómez,Huanjun Li,Shuya Shi,Guangwei Xing,Jie Zong,Zoe A Wilson","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf230","url":null,"abstract":"The production of viable pollen is essential for effective fertilization and optimal crop yields; however, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains limited. Here, we characterize a barley (Hordeum vulgare) anther bHLH gene, DEFECTIVE TAPETUM TRANSITION1 (DTT1), a gatekeeper that regulates tapetum development. The dtt1 mutant is male sterile, failing to acquire tapetum cell fate identity with over-proliferation of indeterminate tapetal precursor cells, a lack of tapetum endomitosis, and cell wall degeneration. DTT1 forms heterodimers with DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM1 (HvDYT1) through bHLH and ACT-like(BIF) domains, with the ACT-like(BIF) domain and the IKL motif critical in partner selection. These heterodimers may subsequently interact with each other through the bHLH-ACT-like(BIF) domain to activate expression. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that anther development transition from stage 6 to 7 fails in dtt1. We show that HvTDF1-related pathways are downstream of DTT1 and work in independent and overlapping networks with other conserved tapetum regulators. SELEX-seq analysis indicates that DTT1 can bind to DNA with a chimeric or canonical E-box motif only when it forms a complex with HvDYT1. In vivo dual-luciferase assays confirmed that the DTT1-HvDYT1 complex directly regulates the expression of several stage 7-specific transcription factors, such as HvTDF1, HvEAT1, and the identified GAMYB target genes. Therefore, the paired DTT1-HvDYT1 complex appears crucial in orchestrating the transition of tapetum cell fate by modulating genes involved in diverse biological pathways. This work uncovers detailed relationships in barley tapetum regulation and male fertility.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hitching a ride: Bamboo mosaic virus satellite RNA hijacks the methyltransferase Fibrillarin for a ride across the plant.","authors":"Yu-Hung Hung","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf226","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play vital roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses; however, their regulation during viral infection and the mechanisms by which viruses counteract these defenses remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana atypical dual specificity phosphatase (DSP) DSP4 negatively regulates plant immunity against turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a member of the Potyviridae family. Subcellular localization, fractionation, and mutagenesis revealed that DSP4 is anchored to the cellular membrane via its C-terminus. Notably, only the membrane-bound form of DSP4 interacts with and dephosphorylates the MAPKs MPK6 and MPK3, which redundantly restrict TuMV infection. Furthermore, TuMV P3 protein binds to DSP4, maintaining it on the membrane to dephosphorylate MPKs, whereas DSP4 is typically released from the membrane during immune priming. These findings unveil a molecular mechanism wherein TuMV P3 exploits this membrane-associated phosphatase to dampen MAPK-mediated immunity and promote virus infection.
{"title":"A plant RNA virus hijacks a membrane-anchored dual-specificity phosphatase to attenuate MAPK-mediated immunity for robust infection.","authors":"Yameng Luan,Xue Jiang,Yuting Wang,Mengzhu Chai,Fangfang Li,Aiming Wang,Xiaoyun Wu,Xiaofei Cheng","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf232","url":null,"abstract":"Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play vital roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses; however, their regulation during viral infection and the mechanisms by which viruses counteract these defenses remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana atypical dual specificity phosphatase (DSP) DSP4 negatively regulates plant immunity against turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a member of the Potyviridae family. Subcellular localization, fractionation, and mutagenesis revealed that DSP4 is anchored to the cellular membrane via its C-terminus. Notably, only the membrane-bound form of DSP4 interacts with and dephosphorylates the MAPKs MPK6 and MPK3, which redundantly restrict TuMV infection. Furthermore, TuMV P3 protein binds to DSP4, maintaining it on the membrane to dephosphorylate MPKs, whereas DSP4 is typically released from the membrane during immune priming. These findings unveil a molecular mechanism wherein TuMV P3 exploits this membrane-associated phosphatase to dampen MAPK-mediated immunity and promote virus infection.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Plant anatomy: The next episode - high throughput sectioning and image processing with AnatomyArray.","authors":"Gwendolyn K Kirschner","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf228","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenrong Tan, Xiaolan Yue, Yangzhou Pan, Jin Hu, Rong Huang, Haili Tan, Feiyan Lan, Fei Yang, Hongbin Wei, Lucas Gutiérrez Rodríguez, Víctor Resco de Dios, Keming Luo, Yinan Yao
The spatial arrangement of phloem, cambium and xylem is crucial for secondary growth in tree species. During secondary growth, cambium cells produce secondary xylem inwards and secondary phloem outwards. While phytohormone regulators and differentiation mediators coordinate vascular development, their signaling crosstalk remains poorly understood. Here, we reveal that in poplar (Populus tomentosa), the GSK3 kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2.1 (PtoBIN2.1), integrates brassinosteroid (BR) and auxin signaling during secondary growth by phosphorylating the transcription factor KANADI1 (KAN1), which functions as abaxial determinant. In the phloem/abaxial side, BIN2-mediated phosphorylation stabilizes KAN1, enhancing its suppression of auxin biosynthesis/signaling and HD-ZIP III adaxial determinants, thereby promoting phloem development while inhibiting cambial activity and xylem differentiation. Conversely, BR and auxin synergistically promote xylem formation, with auxin signaling being required for BR-mediated secondary growth. BRs or lower BIN2.1 levels decrease KAN1 stability through diminished phosphorylation, attenuating KAN1-driven inhibition of auxin signaling and consequently enhancing cambial proliferation and xylem development. Our findings establish a BIN2–KAN1 regulatory module that orchestrates phloem–xylem patterning and demonstrate how poplar integrates BR and auxin signaling to control secondary growth.
{"title":"BIN2-mediated phosphorylation of KAN1 integrates brassinosteroid and auxin signaling during poplar secondary growth","authors":"Wenrong Tan, Xiaolan Yue, Yangzhou Pan, Jin Hu, Rong Huang, Haili Tan, Feiyan Lan, Fei Yang, Hongbin Wei, Lucas Gutiérrez Rodríguez, Víctor Resco de Dios, Keming Luo, Yinan Yao","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf222","url":null,"abstract":"The spatial arrangement of phloem, cambium and xylem is crucial for secondary growth in tree species. During secondary growth, cambium cells produce secondary xylem inwards and secondary phloem outwards. While phytohormone regulators and differentiation mediators coordinate vascular development, their signaling crosstalk remains poorly understood. Here, we reveal that in poplar (Populus tomentosa), the GSK3 kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2.1 (PtoBIN2.1), integrates brassinosteroid (BR) and auxin signaling during secondary growth by phosphorylating the transcription factor KANADI1 (KAN1), which functions as abaxial determinant. In the phloem/abaxial side, BIN2-mediated phosphorylation stabilizes KAN1, enhancing its suppression of auxin biosynthesis/signaling and HD-ZIP III adaxial determinants, thereby promoting phloem development while inhibiting cambial activity and xylem differentiation. Conversely, BR and auxin synergistically promote xylem formation, with auxin signaling being required for BR-mediated secondary growth. BRs or lower BIN2.1 levels decrease KAN1 stability through diminished phosphorylation, attenuating KAN1-driven inhibition of auxin signaling and consequently enhancing cambial proliferation and xylem development. Our findings establish a BIN2–KAN1 regulatory module that orchestrates phloem–xylem patterning and demonstrate how poplar integrates BR and auxin signaling to control secondary growth.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145116550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Root metabolites are essential for plant development and environmental stress adaptation. However, the genetic basis controlling root metabolome variation in crops and its role in stress resilience remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we employed a comprehensive multi-omics approach, integrating root metabolome and transcriptome profiles of 273 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines at the seedling stage. Our analysis annotated 407 metabolites, of which 155 exhibited significant correlations with root traits. Using a variome-transcriptome-metabolome association (VTM) network, we identified the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene ZmGAD as a crucial regulator that enhances root growth and stress tolerance by modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis. ZmGAD-derived GABA confers stress tolerance by regulating stomatal aperture and scavenging reactive oxygen species. A transcription factor, ZmZIM2, acts as a negative regulator of ZmGAD expression and GABA accumulation. Moreover, a 2-bp insertion in ZmGAD causes a premature translation termination, resulting in reduced GABA content, shorter roots, and decreased stress tolerance in maize. The reduced frequency of a 2-bp deletion suggests it may have been inadvertently lost during maize domestication and modern breeding. This study elucidates the genetic and molecular framework underlying root metabolite regulation in maize and provides a valuable resource for enhancing root traits and stress tolerance in maize breeding.
{"title":"A variome-transcriptome-metabolome network links GABA biosynthesis to stress resilience in maize","authors":"Yunyun Wang, Dan Sun, Yamin Duan, Aiqing Yang, Xiaoyi Yang, Tianze Zhu, Yuxing Yan, Wei Li, Wenye Rui, Shuai Fang, Baoqing Wang, Yimei Tian, Houmiao Wang, Fanjun Chen, Zhongtao Jia, Qingchun Pan, Zefeng Yang, Lixing Yuan, Chenwu Xu, Pengcheng Li","doi":"10.1093/plcell/koaf221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf221","url":null,"abstract":"Root metabolites are essential for plant development and environmental stress adaptation. However, the genetic basis controlling root metabolome variation in crops and its role in stress resilience remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we employed a comprehensive multi-omics approach, integrating root metabolome and transcriptome profiles of 273 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines at the seedling stage. Our analysis annotated 407 metabolites, of which 155 exhibited significant correlations with root traits. Using a variome-transcriptome-metabolome association (VTM) network, we identified the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene ZmGAD as a crucial regulator that enhances root growth and stress tolerance by modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis. ZmGAD-derived GABA confers stress tolerance by regulating stomatal aperture and scavenging reactive oxygen species. A transcription factor, ZmZIM2, acts as a negative regulator of ZmGAD expression and GABA accumulation. Moreover, a 2-bp insertion in ZmGAD causes a premature translation termination, resulting in reduced GABA content, shorter roots, and decreased stress tolerance in maize. The reduced frequency of a 2-bp deletion suggests it may have been inadvertently lost during maize domestication and modern breeding. This study elucidates the genetic and molecular framework underlying root metabolite regulation in maize and provides a valuable resource for enhancing root traits and stress tolerance in maize breeding.","PeriodicalId":501012,"journal":{"name":"The Plant Cell","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145116551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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