Plant signaling & behavior最新文献

Sunflower, an important oil-yielding crop of tremendous economic importance worldwide, is sensitive to salt stress like many other agriculturally important crops. Different varieties of sunflower exhibit notable variations in their sensitivity/tolerance to salt-stress. Sensing of salt stress in sunflower is evident as early as at the seedling stage. Oil bodies, the major storehouse of fatty acids, are encased in a phospholipid monolayer containing intrinsic and extrinsic proteins. Any changes expected in the fatty acid composition of oil bodies as a response to salt stress are first perceived through alterations in the expression of oil body membrane proteins (OBMPs). The present investigations provide an in-depth proteomic analysis of OBMPs in the seedling cotyledons of three sunflower varieties exhibiting variations in their salt sensitivity. The exhaustive data from the LC‒MS/MS analysis of OBMPs highlight the differences in the levels of expression of a number of intrinsic and transiently expressed protein constituents of oil body membranes. The present proteomic analysis, thus, provides an insight into proteins capable of sensing salt stress as an early signaling response in sunflower seedlings.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium is a crucial oil tree species in northern China. Additionally, fatty acid constituents in its fruits possess remarkable medicinal value. Hence, probing the regulatory role of FAD family members in fatty acid components accumulation in X. sorbifolium fruits is crucial. Drawing on X. sorbifolium genome data, 22 XsFAD members distributed across 10 chromosomes were identified. The physicochemical properties and subcellular localization predictions thereof were analyzed. Phylogenetic and conserved domain analyses demonstrated that same subfamily members are highly conserved in both gene structure and conserved domains. Cis-acting element analysis indicated that XsFAD members are highly susceptible to light. Furthermore, transcriptome data and qRT-PCR findings corroborated that XsFAD members play an active regulatory role in X. sorbifolium fruit ripening and fatty acid metabolism. The bioinformatic analysis and preliminary verification of regulatory functions of XsFAD members establish conditions for in-depth research on the functions of key XsFAD in the future. The study findings will be conducive to determine the accumulation of fatty acids substances in X. sorbifolium and screening of germplasm resources with superior traits.

Root hairs are essential for nutrient acquisition and rhizosphere interactions in vascular plants. While the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase is a well established regulator of growth and metabolism, its role in root hair development in Phaseolus vulgaris remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of TOR in root hair morphogenesis using RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated downregulation of PvTOR and transcriptomic profiling. Microscopic examination of PvTOR-RNAi roots confirmed significant reductions in root hair length and density. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of 148 P. vulgaris homologs of Arabidopsis thaliana root hair-related genes, with 63 genes downregulated and 85 upregulated. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily involved in cellular development, cell differentiation, and redox regulation. Upregulation of phosphoinositide metabolism genes, ROS generators, and cell wall-related extensins suggests compensatory tip growth responses under TOR suppression. On the otherhand, repression of key auxin signaling genes and cell wall-loosening proteins such as EXPA1 and ENDOGLUCANASE5 indicates a shift away from elongation processes. Protein - protein interaction network analysis highlighted phosphoinositide and ROP GTPase signaling hubs as major pathways affected by TOR inhibition, suggesting that TOR indirectly modulates cell polarity and membrane dynamics essential for root hair development. These findings provide further evidence of TOR as a central integrator of hormonal, metabolic, and structural cues during root hair formation.

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) has shown a high incidence rate in rice fields in recent years. Rice resistance breeding is considered as the most effective method for achieving economical and sustainable management of BLB disease. The essential basis for resistance breeding is rooted in the exploration of rice resistance genes and the clarification of the molecular mechanisms that underlie Xoo resistance. In our previous research, we showed that Xanthomonas outer protein XopZ and rice oxysterol-binding related protein ORP1C collaboratively regulate the compatible interaction between Xoo strain PXO99 and Nipponbare rice, but the deeper regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we successfully constructed ORP1C overexpression rice using the plant binary expression vector pCAMBIA1301. Through a series of virulence and effector translocation detections in Xoo-rice interactions, we revealed that overexpression of the ORP1C gene largely increases rice resistance to multiple Xoo strains from different countries and regions. Mechanistically, ORP1C plays a Xoo resistant role through negatively regulating transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) translocation, ORP1C has become a potential candidate gene resource for disease-resistant breeding in rice. Further studies also indicated that XopZ and ORP1C collaboratively regulate the compatible interaction of PXO99-Nipponbare by modulating TALEs translocation.

Urban greening had a significant effect on enhancing the distribution of alien plants, which pose a threat to the native species in new areas. Senecio angulatus L.f. (cape ivy) is one of the naturalized species dominant in urban ecosystems in many regions. This study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic interference of this alien species on the native plants in these habitats in Iran. The allelopathy impact of aqueous extract of stem, leaf and root of cape ivy was estimated on germination and seedling´s growth of five native plants (Agropyron elongatum, Medicago sativa, Portulaca oleracea, Silybum marianum, and Lactuca sativa as indicator plant). The tested species differed in their susceptibility to allelopathy of cape ivy, in which M. sativa, P. oleracea, and L. sativa were significantly sensitive than other species. The inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts from leaves and stems was stronger than those from belowground parts and it revealed that the presence of higher concentrations of natural substances (phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity) gave it its efficiency in inhibiting the early growth of native plant. Our results imply that reducing the allelopathic impact of this species during habitat restoration requires the removal of the aboveground parts, including fallen leaves. Furthermore, the information obtained helps score cape ivy risk and impact assessment in the introduced regions.

Anthurium andraeanum Linden, a flowering foliage plant belonging to the Araceae family, exhibits colorful spathes but lacks deep yellow cultivars. The carotenoid metabolic pathway is crucial for the accumulation of yellow pigments (e.g. lutein) in plant cells, with transcriptional regulation playing a key role in this process. Among these regulators, the MADS-box family represents one of the major transcription factor families involved in this regulatory network. To investigate the regulatory role of MADS-box family transcription factors in carotenoid metabolism in Anthurium spathes, a MADS-box gene from the light yellow spathe cultivar 'Vanilla' was cloned and designated as AaCMB1. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that AaCMB1 is localized in the nucleus. Transient overexpression of AaCMB1 increased carotenoid accumulation in Anthurium spathes, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that overexpression of AaCMB1 upregulated the expression of key structural genes in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays demonstrated that AaCMB1 interacts with AaNAC1574. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays further indicated that AaCMB1 can activate the AaLCYB promoter. These findings suggest that AaCMB1 and AaNAC1574 may form a heterodimer to regulate the expression of AaLCYB, thereby modulating carotenoid accumulation in Anthurium spathes.

Aluminum stress is a critical limiting factor in crop productivity, as it rapidly inhibits root elongation, impairs water and nutrient uptake, and ultimately leads to substantial yield reductions. To address this challenge, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms underlying plant aluminum toxicity and tolerance, thereby enhancing crop resilience to aluminum stress. In this study, we employed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to identify the protein TSJT1, which is induced by aluminum exposure and plays an essential role in the plant's response to aluminum. Notably, TSJT1 expression was significantly up-regulated in mpc1 mutants; furthermore, overexpression of TSJT1 markedly enhanced the plant's resistance to aluminum stress. Our integrated analysis also revealed significant differences in glutamate metabolites as well as a protein encoding glutamate synthetase during this process. Through exogenous glutamate supplementation, we demonstrated that glutamate plays a critical role in the MPC1-mediated response to aluminum stress.

Wheat is the third most widely consumed cereal in the world, after maize and rice. However, it is regularly attacked by the wheat aphid (Schizaphis graminum), causing considerable damage to wheat crops. The acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which plays a key role in the transmission of the synaptic cholinergic signal, has emerged as a promising target for the development of pest control strategies. Inhibition of this enzyme leads to the paralysis or even death of the aphid. The objective of this study is to identify the bioactive compounds in Securidaca longepedunculata (S. longepedunculata) that are capable of interacting with acetylcholinesterase from Schizaphis graminum and inhibiting its activity. Furthermore, a computer simulation of these compounds in interaction with the key protein was conducted. First, the secondary metabolites of S. longepedunculata were selected on the basis of GC-MS data available from specific reference sources. Subsequently, the compounds were subjected to virtual screening based on their docking scores in order to identify those with inhibitory properties. The compounds with the highest scores were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation over a 50 ns trajectory. Subsequently, MMGBSA free energy calculations were conducted. The results demonstrated that eight compounds exhibited inhibitory properties, four of which (echimidine, populin, salidroside, and farrerol) demonstrated superior stabilizing effects on proteins compared to the remaining compounds. In terms of free energy by MMGBSA and molecular simulation, it was observed that echimidine and populin formed robust and stable hydrogen bonds with the amino acids of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. This study identifies and attempts to validate the potential inhibitory activities of echimidine and populin against acetylcholinesterase, with a view to developing potent insecticides and unique treatment strategies.

Drought stress inhibits the development of maize ears. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that can regulate the physicology metabolism under abiotic stress. In this study, maize varieties Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) and Xianyu 335 (XY335) with different filling stages were used as materials. Three treatments were set in the filling period: normal irrigation (CK), drought stress (stress); exogenous ABA + drought stress (ABA+stress). They were used to study the physiological regulation of exogenous ABA on maize ears development during drought stress. Exogenous ABA inhibited bald tip and the decline of maize plant biomass, and increased the number and weight of grains per ear at harvest under drought stress by regulating photosynthetic pigment content (Chla, Chlb, Car), gas exchange parameters (Pn, Tr, gs, Ci, Ls), Chla fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ФPSII, ETR, qP, NPQ), chloroplast structure and function, photosynthetic enzyme activity, and the transcription level of genes coding SUTs (ZmSUT1, ZmSUT2, ZmSUT4, ZmSUT6). There was a significant correlation between physiological indexes of sucrose loading in maize and yield factors. This study discussed the mechanism of exogenous ABA alleviating maize ear dysplasia at grain filling stage under drought stress from the perspective of photosynthesis and sucrose transport.

Rhizosphere microorganisms play a significant role in influencing the growth and quality of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). However, the complex mechanisms underlying the interactions between rhizosphere microorganisms and tea plants require further investigation. In this study, we employed high-throughput sequencing and the isolation of functional rhizosphere microorganisms to examine variations in rhizosphere microbial diversity and functional characteristics among five distinct tea cultivars: Camellia sinensis cv. Wuniuzao, Fudingdahao, Fuyunliuhao, Jinxuan, and Fudingdabai, each recognized for its unique qualities and adaptability. Our results revealed significant differences in the community diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms among the different tea cultivars. The phylum Mucoromycota may exert a notable influence on the growth of cultivars Wuniuzao, Fudingdahao, and Fuyunliuhao through metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism. Specifically, Serratia spp. and Enterobacter spp. which produce higher levels of IAA and were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of cultivars Wuniuzao and Fudingdahao, may play a critical role in promoting tea plant growth and development. Additionally, bacteria from the phylum Acidobacteriota may also contribute significantly to tea plant growth. These findings provide valuable insights into the roles of rhizosphere microorganisms in influencing the growth and quality of tea plants, offering a foundation for further exploration of microbial-assisted strategies to enhance tea cultivation.