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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 June 2026 | Viewed by 3499

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Dr. Xingguo Li

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Guest Editor

College of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Interests: plant abiotic stress; secondary metabolism
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Dear Colleague,

Plants are increasingly threatened by climate change, heavy metal pollution, soil salinization, and the spread of pests and diseases. Increasing tolerance of crop plants to stresses is needed to fulfill increased food needs of the population. The application of various phytoprotectants has become one of the most effective approaches in enhancing the tolerance of plants to these stresses.

This Special Issue will explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance traits, aiming to identify innovative breeding strategies that can enhance their resilience to environmental stresses. We also welcome original research articles and reviews in this field.

Dr. Li Xingguo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

plant
genetic breeding
biotic stress
abiotic stress
gene regulation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 7075 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the VOZ Gene Family in Gossypium hirsutum L. and Functional Characterization in Abiotic Stress and Somatic Embryogenesis

by Mengmeng Jiang, Conghua Feng, Junbo Zhen, Linlin Liu, Di Liu, Shuling Zhang and Jina Chi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(22), 10965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262210965 - 12 Nov 2025

Viewed by 284

Abstract

Vascular Plant One-Zinc finger (VOZ) transcription factors are pivotal regulators of plant growth and stress adaptation, yet their functional roles in Gossypium hirsutum, a key fiber crop, remain poorly characterized. In this study, we systematically identified six VOZ genes in G. hirsutum and conducted a comprehensive analysis of their phylogenetic relationships, genomic distribution, promoter architecture, and expression profiles. Phylogenetic classification placed the GhVOZ proteins into three distinct clades, and chromosomal localization revealed that family expansion was likely driven by segmental duplication events. Promoter analysis uncovered an abundance of stress-related cis-regulatory elements, suggesting a potential role in abiotic stress signaling. Consistent with this, expression profiling demonstrated that GhVOZ1/3, GhVOZ2/4/5, and GhVOZ6 were specifically induced under drought, salt, and cold stress, respectively, with qRT-PCR further confirming their tissue-specific dynamic regulation under salt treatment. Furthermore, the GhVOZ family exhibited stage-specific expression patterns during somatic embryogenesis. GhVOZ1, GhVOZ3, and GhVOZ4 were upregulated at the early induction phase, implicating them in the initiation of cell reprogramming. In contrast, GhVOZ2 and GhVOZ4 showed sustained expression in embryogenic callus at later stages, suggesting a role in maintaining embryogenic competence, whereas GhVOZ5—preferentially expressed in non-embryogenic callus—may act as a repressor of embryogenesis. Synteny analysis further highlighted evolutionary conservation and subgenomic divergence of VOZ genes in G. hirsutum. Collectively, these findings establish GhVOZs as key regulators integrating abiotic stress response and somatic embryogenesis, providing a genetic framework for future functional studies and crop improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tolerance to Stress)

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19 pages, 5872 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome and Targeted Hormone Metabolome Reveal the Mechanism of Flower Abscission in Soybeans Under Shade

by Zhuorui Tan, Wenhui Han, Wanmin Mao, Xiang Wang, Shijun Li, Xinyang Luan, Xingdong Yao, Kai Guo and Futi Xie

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110303 - 23 Oct 2025

Viewed by 349

Abstract

Shade-induced flower abscission in soybean plants is a significant factor limiting yield improvement. Under shaded conditions, significant differences exist in the flower abscission rates among different soybean varieties, but the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study selected Tiedou 44 (T44) and Liaodou 32 (L32) as experimental materials. Results indicate that under shaded conditions, the flower abscission rate of T44 was significantly higher than that of L32. Physiological analysis revealed that cell wall degradation enzyme activity in T44 pedicels was significantly higher than in L32. Furthermore, compared to L32, T44 flowers under shade conditions exhibited significantly higher levels of IAA, IAA–amino acid conjugates, and ABA. The expression levels of PIN family genes (GMPIN3C, GMPIN3D, PIN3A, GMPIN1A, GMPIN1B, GMPIN1C, GMPIN1D, and GMPIN1E) in T44 were downregulated. These results suggest that the obstruction of auxin polar transport leads to auxin accumulation in flowers. This accumulation, in turn, triggers flower abscission. Additionally, GH3 gene expression was upregulated in T44 compared to L32. GH3 proteins catalyze the conjugation of free auxin (IAA) with amino acids, forming inactive IAA–amino acid complexes. This significantly reduces the concentration of free IAA capable of inhibiting abscission in T44, making flowers more prone to abscission. This study provides crucial insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying flower abscission in soybean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tolerance to Stress)

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19 pages, 2428 KB

Open AccessArticle

OsPIP2;1 Positively Regulates Rice Tolerance to Water Stress Under Coupling of Partial Root-Zone Drying and Nitrogen Forms

by Chunyi Kuang, Ziying Han, Xiang Zhang, Xiaoyuan Chen, Zhihong Gao and Yongyong Zhu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199782 - 8 Oct 2025

Viewed by 602

Abstract

The coupling of partial root-zone drying (PRD) with nitrogen forms exerts an interactive “water-promoted fertilization” effect, which enhances rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and development, improves water use efficiency (WUE), mediates the expression of aquaporins (AQPs), and alters root water conductivity. In this study, gene cloning and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies were employed to construct overexpression and knockout vectors of the OsPIP2;1 gene, which were then transformed into rice (cv. Meixiangzhan 2). Three water treatments were set: normal irrigation (CK); partial root-zone drying (PRD); and 10% PEG-simulated water stress (PEG), combined with a nitrogen form ratio of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) to nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻) at 50:50 (A50/N50) for the coupled treatment of rice seedlings. The results showed that under the coupled treatment of PRD and the aforementioned nitrogen form, the expression level of the OsPIP2;1 gene in roots was upregulated by 0.62-fold on the seventh day, while its expression level in leaves was downregulated by 1.84-fold. Overexpression of OsPIP2;1 enabled Meixiangzhan 2 to maintain a higher abscisic acid (ABA) level under different water conditions, which helped rice reduce water potential and enhance water absorption. Compared with the CK treatment, overexpression of OsPIP2;1 increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of rice under PRD by 26.98%, effectively alleviating tissue damage caused by excessive accumulation of O₂⁻. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of OsPIP2;1-overexpressing rice showed correlations under PRD and A50/N50 nitrogen form conditions, with WUE exhibiting a significant positive correlation with transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, nitrogen content, and Rubisco enzyme activity. Overexpression of OsPIP2;1 could promote root growth and increase the total biomass of rice plants. The application of the OsPIP2;1 gene in rice genetic engineering modification holds great potential for improving important agricultural traits of crops. This study provides new insights into the mechanism by which the AQP family regulates water use in rice and has certain significance for exploring the role of AQP genes in rice growth and development as well as in response to water stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tolerance to Stress)

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22 pages, 4499 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Analysis and Expression Profiles of Auxin Response Factors in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

by Yuanyuan Tong, Sujuan Xu, Jiayu Shi, Yi He, Hong-Lei Li, Tian Yu, Sinian Zhang and Hai-Tao Xing

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8412; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178412 - 29 Aug 2025

Viewed by 799

Abstract

Ginger, an economically important crop, fulfills multifunctional roles as a spice, vegetable, and raw material for medicinal and chemical products. The family of Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) plays an essential role in facilitating auxin signal transduction and regulating plant growth and development. However, the role of ARF genes in ginger, a crop of considerable economic importance, remains elucidated. In this study, a total of 26 ZoARF genes were identified in the ginger genome, which were further categorized into four subfamilies (I–IV) and displayed a non-uniform distribution across 11 chromosomes. The proteins are predominantly localized to the nucleus. Promoter regions contained numerous cis-elements linked to light signaling, phytohormones, growth, development, and stress responses. Collinearity analysis revealed 9 pairs of fragment duplication events in ZoARFs, all uniformly distributed across their related chromosomes. In addition, the expression profiles of ZoARFs in ginger were analyzed during development and under several stress conditions like ABA, cold, drought, heat, and salt, employing RNA-seq data and qRT-PCR analysis. Notably, expression profiling revealed tissue-specific functions, with ZoARF#04/05/12/22 associated with flower development and ZoARF#06/13/14/23 implicated in root growth. This work provides an in-depth insight into the ARF family and establishes a foundation for future investigations of ZoARF gene functions in ginger growth, development, and abiotic stress tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tolerance to Stress)

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19 pages, 7231 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Features and Predicted 3D Structures of the CcWOX Transcription Factors in Cinnamomum camphora

by Fengshuo Cui, Kang Wang, Haoran Qi, Tengfei Shen, Caihui Chen, Yongda Zhong and Meng Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8204; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178204 - 23 Aug 2025

Viewed by 834

Abstract

The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family is integral to plant growth and development. Here, we identified 14 CcWOX genes from the Cinnamomum camphora genome and analyzed their phylogeny, conserved features, and expression patterns. Phylogenetic inference grouped CcWOX into the Ancient, Intermediate, and WUS clades, consistent with other plant lineages. Expression profiling across seven tissues/organs, together with qRT-PCR validation, revealed tissue-biased expression for several members (e.g., floral or root enrichment), suggesting gene-specific roles during development. Using AlphaFold3, we predicted monomeric structures for CcWOX proteins and an interface model compatible with an interaction between CcWOX3 and CcLBD33. Consistently, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) in Nicotiana benthamiana detected nuclear YFP signals for cEYFP-CcWOX3 + nEYFP-CcLBD33 relative to appropriate negative controls, confirming a physical interaction in plant cells. While these findings support a putative WOX–LBD interaction module in C. camphora, the regulatory functions remain to be established. Overall, this work provides a framework for dissecting the CcWOX family in C. camphora and illustrates how AI-assisted structure prediction can be integrated with cell-based assays to accelerate hypothesis generation in plant developmental biology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tolerance to Stress)

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