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The Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology Beyond Flowers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 5749

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flowers play a central role in plant reproduction and are key components of ecosystems. Many economically important crops and most of our food rely on successful flower development. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in flowers provides not only fundamental biological insights but also practical applications in agriculture, conservation, biotechnology, and human health. Despite this, our understanding of flower molecular mechanisms lags behind that of other known plant structures such as leaves. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent molecular advances in our understanding of the flower. We welcome all types of articles (original research, methods, opinions, and reviews) on the molecular mechanisms of the flower, including a diverse array of processes, from floral induction and development to pollination, fertilization, and seed formation. Studies may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Floral Induction and Flower Development;
  • Regulation of Floral Meristem Identity;
  • Floral Organ Identity and Patterning;
  • Pollination and Fertilization;
  • Gametogenesis and Gamete Development;
  • Pollen–Pistil Interactions;
  • Seed Development and Embryogenesis;
  • Integration of Signaling Pathways;
  • Role of Noncoding RNAs;
  • Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation;
  • Gene regulatory Networks and Cellular Processes.

Dr. Isabel Marques
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • flowers
  • homeotic genes
  • MADSBox
  • molecular expression
  • pollination
  • stress
  • transcription factors

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3810 KiB  
Article
Functional Analysis of PsHMGR1 and PsTPS1 Related to Floral Terpenoids Biosynthesis in Tree Peony
by Bo Ma, Zi-Yao Li, Rong-Chen Li, Mei-Chen Xu, Zhen-Quan Wang, Ping-Sheng Leng, Zeng-Hui Hu and Jing Wu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212247 - 14 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), as a popular ornamental plant worldwide, has a unique floral fragrance, and it is important in the pollination, ornamental, food, and fragrance product industries. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for the synthesis of floral fragrance terpenoids in [...] Read more.
Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), as a popular ornamental plant worldwide, has a unique floral fragrance, and it is important in the pollination, ornamental, food, and fragrance product industries. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for the synthesis of floral fragrance terpenoids in tree peony are not well understood, constraining their exploitation. P. suffruticosa ‘Oukan’ produces strong floral fragrance terpenoids with high ornamental value and excellent stress resistance and is considered a valuable model for studying tree peony floral fragrance formation. Based on transcriptome data analysis, the PsHMGR1 and PsTPS1 genes associated with floral terpene synthesis were cloned. Then, PsHMGR1 and PsTPS1 were functionally characterized by amino acid sequence analysis, multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree construction, qRT-PCR, and transgenic assay. PsHMGR1 contains two transmembrane structures and a conserved HMG-CoA_reductase_class I domain, and PsTPS1 belongs to TPS-a subfamily. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of PsHMGR1 and PsTPS1 increased and then decreased at different flower development stages, and both were significantly higher in flowers than in roots, stems, and leaves. In addition, the linalool content in PsHMGR1 transgenic lines was significantly higher than that of WT. Germacrene D, which was not found in WT, was detected in the flowers of PsTPS1 transgenic lines. These results indicate that PsHMGR1 and PsTPS1 promote terpene synthesis in plants and provide ideas for the molecular mechanism of enhancing terpene synthesis in tree peony floral fragrance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology Beyond Flowers)
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Review

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28 pages, 2423 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress on Plant Apomixis for Genetic Improvement
by Lihua Xue, Yingying Zhang, Fang Wei, Gongyao Shi, Baoming Tian, Yuxiang Yuan, Wenjing Jiang, Meiqi Zhao, Lijiao Hu, Zhengqing Xie and Huihui Gu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11378; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111378 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2906
Abstract
Apomixis is a reproductive process that produces clonal seeds while bypassing meiosis (or apomeiosis) without undergoing fertilization (or pseudo-fertilization). The progenies are genetically cloned from their parents, retaining the parental genotype, and have great potential for the preservation of genes of interest and [...] Read more.
Apomixis is a reproductive process that produces clonal seeds while bypassing meiosis (or apomeiosis) without undergoing fertilization (or pseudo-fertilization). The progenies are genetically cloned from their parents, retaining the parental genotype, and have great potential for the preservation of genes of interest and the fixing of heterosis. The hallmark components of apomixis include the formation of female gametes without meiosis, the development of fertilization-independent embryos, and the formation of functional endosperm. Understanding and utilizing the molecular mechanism of apomixis has far-reaching implications for plant genetic breeding and agricultural development. Therefore, this study focuses on the classification, influencing factors, genetic regulation, and molecular mechanism of apomixis, as well as progress in the research and application of apomixis-related genes in plant breeding. This work will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of apomixis and its application for plant genetic improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology Beyond Flowers)
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14 pages, 2257 KiB  
Review
Methylation Modification in Ornamental Plants: Impact on Floral Aroma and Color
by Chenchen Xie, Qingyin Tian, Hanruo Qiu, Rui Wang, Lianggui Wang, Yuanzheng Yue and Xiulian Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158267 - 29 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1334
Abstract
Methylation represents a crucial class of modification that orchestrates a spectrum of regulatory roles in plants, impacting ornamental characteristics, growth, development, and responses to abiotic stress. The establishment and maintenance of methylation involve the coordinated actions of multiple regulatory factors. Methyltransferases play a [...] Read more.
Methylation represents a crucial class of modification that orchestrates a spectrum of regulatory roles in plants, impacting ornamental characteristics, growth, development, and responses to abiotic stress. The establishment and maintenance of methylation involve the coordinated actions of multiple regulatory factors. Methyltransferases play a pivotal role by specifically recognizing and methylating targeted sites, which induces alterations in chromatin structure and gene expression, subsequently influencing the release of volatile aromatic substances and the accumulation of pigments in plant petals. In this paper, we review the regulatory mechanisms of methylation modification reactions and their effects on the changes in aromatic substances and pigments in plant petals. We also explore the potential of methylation modifications to unravel the regulatory mechanisms underlying aroma and color in plant petals. This aims to further elucidate the synthesis, metabolism, and regulatory mechanisms of various methylation modifications related to the aroma and color substances in plant petals, thereby providing a theoretical reference for improving the aroma and color of plant petals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology Beyond Flowers)
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