Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition

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: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4168

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Moxian Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Research and Development Center for Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Interests: proteogenomics; abiotic stress; post-transcriptional regulation; genetic engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Genetic engineering is a crucial tool in modern agriculture, allowing for scientists to precisely modify the genetic composition of plants to enhance desirable traits. One of the key applications of this technology is the development of stress-tolerant crops. Environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and pests can severely reduce agricultural productivity, posing a significant threat to food security. 

Plant stress tolerance, enhanced through genetic engineering, is vital for ensuring stable crop yields under adverse conditions. By introducing genes that confer resistance to these stressors, genetically engineered crops can maintain productivity where traditional crops would fail. This not only boosts food production, but also reduces the need for chemical inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, promoting more sustainable farming practices. 

This Special Issue aims to address the pressing challenge of enhancing plant resilience to various stressors through genetic engineering. We invite contributions that provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance, biotechnologies developed to enhance plant stress tolerant traits, case studies demonstrating successful genetic modifications, and reviews of current advancements and future directions in this field. By compiling cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews, this Special Issue seeks to offer valuable knowledge and practical solutions for improving crop resilience, ultimately contributing to sustainable agriculture and global food security. Potential authors are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that align with these themes. 

This Special Issue is supervised by Dr. Moxian Chen (Guizhou University) and assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Members, Dr. Yinggao Liu (Shandong Agricultural University) and Dr. Abazar Ghorbani (Guizhou University).

Dr. Moxian Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • CRISPR-Cas system
  • RNA interference
  • abiotic and biotic stresses
  • transcriptional regulation
  • post-transcriptional regulation
  • post-translational modification
  • genetic evolution
  • biotechnology
  • molecular mechanisms
  • regulatory circuits

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

25 pages, 7790 KiB  
Article
Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Pharmacological Effects and Differential Mechanisms of Isoflavone Biosynthesis in Four Species of Glycyrrhiza
by Yuanfeng Lu, Zhen Ding, Daoyuan Zhang, Fuyuan Zhu and Bei Gao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062539 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 535
Abstract
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.) is a globally popular medicinal and edible plant, with nearly 30 species distributed across all continents. The usable part is primarily the root. To understand the metabolic differences among different Glycyrrhiza species, we selected four species and performed comprehensive [...] Read more.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.) is a globally popular medicinal and edible plant, with nearly 30 species distributed across all continents. The usable part is primarily the root. To understand the metabolic differences among different Glycyrrhiza species, we selected four species and performed comprehensive analyses of their roots. Metabolomic profiling was conducted using UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS, while transcriptomic analysis was carried out using RNA-sequencing. A total of 2716 metabolites were identified, including flavonoids (527 types) and terpenoids (251 types), among various other components. Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to explore the medicinal value and potential pharmacological ingredients of these metabolites. Joint analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed significant differences in differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pairwise comparisons among the four species. These differences were primarily enriched in the isoflavone pathway. Further investigation into the regulatory mechanisms of isoflavone biosynthesis in different Glycyrrhiza species identified key genes and metabolites involved in isoflavone biosynthesis. Finally, we made reasonable predictions of the potential suitable habitats for the four Glycyrrhiza species, aiming to provide new insights for the development and utilization of licorice resources. The results of this study can serve as a basis for the development and utilization of licorice and for in-depth research on the regulation of isoflavone biosynthesis in licorice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3335 KiB  
Article
Improved Salt Tolerance in Brassica napus L. Overexpressing a Synthetic Deinocuccus Stress-Resistant Module DICW
by Qilin Dai, Lingling Zhang, Shijie Jiang, Bodan Su, Zhaoqin Li, Yinying Shuai and Jin Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062500 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Salt stress adversely impacts plant physiology by causing ionic, osmotic, and oxidative stress, ultimately hindering growth and yield. The genus Deinococcus contains unique stress resistance genes, and previous studies have shown that proteins such as IrrE, Csp, and WHy enhance stress tolerance in [...] Read more.
Salt stress adversely impacts plant physiology by causing ionic, osmotic, and oxidative stress, ultimately hindering growth and yield. The genus Deinococcus contains unique stress resistance genes, and previous studies have shown that proteins such as IrrE, Csp, and WHy enhance stress tolerance in plants and microbial cells. However, their role in Brassica napus L. (oilseed rape) remains unexamined. In this study, a synthetic stress-resistance module, DICW, was constructed using the Deinococcus-derived genes IrrE, Csp, and WHy and heterologously overexpressed in B. napus to assess its impact on salt tolerance. The results demonstrated that the DICW module significantly improved seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress. Transgenic B. napus plants exhibited reduced membrane damage, higher leaf relative water content, enhanced accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity compared to wild-type plants. Additionally, qRT-PCR analysis revealed the upregulation of stress-related genes (BnRD29A, BnP5CS, BnKIN1, BnLEA1, BnNHX1, and BnSOS1) and antioxidant enzyme-related genes (BnSOD, BnPOD, and BnCAT) in transgenic lines. In conclusion, the DICW module plays a crucial role in enhancing salt tolerance in B. napus by regulating stress responses and antioxidant mechanisms. This study provides valuable molecular insights into improving the survival and growth of B. napus in saline environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2640 KiB  
Article
Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Maize Seedlings Provides Insights into the Mechanisms of Heat-Stress Tolerance
by Zhenyu Ma, Runsi Qi, Huaning Zhang, Xiangzhao Meng, Zihui Liu, Shuonan Duan, Xiulin Guo, Guoliang Li and Zhonglin Shang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062439 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 564
Abstract
The dramatically high temperatures triggered by global climate change threaten maize growth and yield. In recent years, increasing attention has focused on the impacts of heat injury on maize. However, the molecular mechanisms behind maize’s adaptation to heat stress remain largely unexplored. To [...] Read more.
The dramatically high temperatures triggered by global climate change threaten maize growth and yield. In recent years, increasing attention has focused on the impacts of heat injury on maize. However, the molecular mechanisms behind maize’s adaptation to heat stress remain largely unexplored. To uncover how plants protect themselves from heat stress, we performed a phosphoproteomic analysis on maize leaves by using multiplex iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic and LC-MS/MS methods. A total of 1594 phosphopeptides ascribed to 875 proteins were identified. A functional enrichment analysis of the proteins and phosphoproteins revealed that the early thermal responses of maize were associated with translational and post-translational modifications, protein turnover, and chaperone binding in the MAPK pathway. A motif analysis also yielded a significant number of potential MAPK substrates. The functional characterization of the phosphoproteins and pathways identified here will provide new insights for improving crop thermal tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 6313 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Exploration and Characterization of the TCP Gene Family’s Expression Patterns in Response to Abiotic Stresses in Siberian Wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.)
by Tianqi Liu, Jinghan Peng, Zhixiao Dong, Yingjie Liu, Jiqiang Wu, Yanli Xiong, Changbing Zhang, Lijun Yan, Qingqing Yu, Minghong You, Xiao Ma and Xiong Lei
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051925 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.), a model Elymus Gramineae plant, has high eco-economic value but limited seed and forage yield. TCP transcription factors are widely regarded as influencing yield and quality and being crucial for growth and development; still, this gene family [...] Read more.
Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.), a model Elymus Gramineae plant, has high eco-economic value but limited seed and forage yield. TCP transcription factors are widely regarded as influencing yield and quality and being crucial for growth and development; still, this gene family in Siberian wildrye remains unexplored. Therefore, this study looked at the Siberian wildrye TCP gene family’s reaction to several abiotic stresses, its expression pattern, and its potential evolutionary path. Fifty-four members of the EsTCP gene family were discovered. There are two major subfamilies based on the phylogenetic tree: 27 of Class I (PCF) and 27 of Class II (12 CIN-type and 15 TB1/CYC-type). Gene structure, conserved motif, and sequence alignment analyses further validated this classification. Cis-elements found in the promoter region of EsTCPs are associated with lots of plant hormones and stress-related reactions, covering drought induction and cold tolerance. EsCYC5, EsCYC6, and EsCYC7 may regulate tillering and lateral branch development. EsPCF10’s relative expression was significant under five stresses. Additionally, eight EsTCP genes are potential miR319 targets. These findings highlight the critical significance of the TCP gene family in Siberian wildrye, laying the groundwork for understanding the function of the EsTCP protein in abiotic stress studies and high-yield breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 9731 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Heat Stress on Wheat Flag Leaves Revealed by Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses During the Reproductive Stage
by Shuonan Duan, Xiangzhao Meng, Huaning Zhang, Xiaotong Wang, Xu Kang, Zihui Liu, Zhenyu Ma, Guoliang Li and Xiulin Guo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041468 - 10 Feb 2025
Viewed by 895
Abstract
In this study, we were dedicated to investigating the effect caused by heat stress on wheat flag leaves. Metabolome and transcriptome analysis were introduced to identify some key biological processes. As a result, 182 and 214 metabolites were significantly changed at the anthesis [...] Read more.
In this study, we were dedicated to investigating the effect caused by heat stress on wheat flag leaves. Metabolome and transcriptome analysis were introduced to identify some key biological processes. As a result, 182 and 214 metabolites were significantly changed at the anthesis and post-anthesis stages, respectively; most of them were lipids, amino acids and derivatives, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis was the most significantly enriched pathway by metabolites at both two stages, each of which included 13 types of amino acid, and 12 of them were shared and up-regulated. Therefore, we further measured 22 kinds of amino acid content in ten different wheat genotypes at the post-anthesis stage. Based on the average content of each amino acid, 17 kinds of them were significantly increased after heat stress, and 4 types were significantly decreased. Both the metabolism analysis and the transcriptome analysis had a higher number of significantly changed metabolites or differential expressed genes at the post-anthesis stage, which indicated that the post-anthesis stage is more sensitive to heat stress, with 21,361 and 17,130 differential expressed genes, respectively. Two pathways, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and ABC transporters, were significantly enriched at two stages. The differential expressed genes in processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway mainly encoded various types of molecular chaperones; among them, the HSP20 family was the most predominant and intensively up-regulated. The ABC transporter gene family is another pathway that is deeply involved in heat-stress response, which could be classified into five subfamilies; among them, subfamilies B and G were the most active. In summary, this study revealed the heat response pattern of amino acids, HSPs, and ABC transporter which may play a vital role during the wheat reproductive stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 3211 KiB  
Review
Adaptation of High-Altitude Plants to Plateau Abiotic Stresses: A Case Study of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
by Pengcheng Sun, Ruirui Hao, Fangjing Fan, Yan Wang and Fuyuan Zhu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2292; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052292 - 4 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 796
Abstract
High-altitude regions offer outstanding opportunities for investigating the impacts of combined abiotic stresses on plant physiological processes given their significant differences in terms of the ecological environment in high-elevation areas, low anthropogenic disturbance, and obvious distribution characteristics of plants along altitudinal gradients. Therefore, [...] Read more.
High-altitude regions offer outstanding opportunities for investigating the impacts of combined abiotic stresses on plant physiological processes given their significant differences in terms of the ecological environment in high-elevation areas, low anthropogenic disturbance, and obvious distribution characteristics of plants along altitudinal gradients. Therefore, plants in high-altitude areas can be used as good targets for exploring plant adaptations to abiotic stress under extreme conditions. Plants that thrive in high-altitude environments such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau endure extreme abiotic stresses, including low temperatures, high UV radiation, and nutrient-poor soils. This study explores their adaptation mechanisms via phenotypic variation analyses and multiomics approaches. Key findings highlight traits such as increased photosynthetic efficiency, robust antioxidant systems, and morphological modifications tailored to high-altitude conditions. These insights advance our understanding of plant evolution in harsh environments and inform strategies to increase stress resistance in crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Engineering of Plants for Stress Tolerance, Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop