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Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation to Stress

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: 23 October 2026 | Viewed by 1414

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210032, China
Interests: plant; molecular ecology; spectroscopic techniques; tea quality; tea plant growth

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants face various environmental stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and pathogen attacks, which can significantly impact their growth and survival. To cope with these challenges, plants have evolved intricate molecular mechanisms that enable them to adapt and thrive under adverse conditions. These mechanisms involve a complex network of signaling pathways, gene regulation, and metabolic adjustments. Key players in these processes include stress-responsive genes, transcription factors, phytohormones, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging systems. For instance, abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in drought response by regulating stomatal closure and gene expression. Additionally, plants activate antioxidant defenses to mitigate oxidative damage caused by stress. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, also contribute to stress adaptation by modulating gene expression patterns. Understanding these molecular mechanisms not only provides insights into plant biology but also offers potential strategies for improving crop resilience through genetic engineering and breeding, ensuring food security in the face of climate change.

Dr. Yuanchun Ma
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • plant
  • environmental stresses
  • signaling pathways
  • stress-responsive genes
  • transcription factors
  • phytohormones
  • crop resilience
  • breeding
  • genetic engineering

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 6596 KB  
Article
Identification of the NLP Gene Family in Populus euphratica and Its Expression Analysis Under Drought Stress
by Xinyue Long, Chen Qiu, Jianhao Sun, Tongrui Song, Jing Li, Hongyan Jin, Donghui Miao, Xiaoli Han, Zhijun Li and Zhongshuai Gai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073071 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 414
Abstract
NIN-like protein (NLP) transcription factors are key regulators of plant nitrate signaling and stress responses. Although extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana and various crops, it has rarely been reported in woody plants, particularly in drought-tolerant tree species. In this study, 10 PeNLP genes [...] Read more.
NIN-like protein (NLP) transcription factors are key regulators of plant nitrate signaling and stress responses. Although extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana and various crops, it has rarely been reported in woody plants, particularly in drought-tolerant tree species. In this study, 10 PeNLP genes were identified in the drought-tolerant tree Populus euphratica Oliv. through comparative genomics. These genes were unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes, and the gene-family expansion was mainly driven by whole-genome duplication (WGD). Analysis of conserved domains showed that PeNLPs contained 4–10 characteristic motifs, and most members possessed the typical RWP-RK and PB1-related domains. Collinearity analysis identified 18 NLP orthologous gene pairs between P. euphratica and its relatives (Populus pruinosa and Salix sinopurpurea), which exceeded the 15 pairs detected between P. euphratica and A. thaliana, indicating that the NLP family is more conserved within the Salicaceae. Phylogenetic analysis divided PeNLPs into three subfamilies, and their promoter regions harbored diverse cis-acting elements associated with hormone signaling, environmental stress, growth, and light response. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses further demonstrated that PeNLPs were generally downregulated under drought stress. Overall, this study systematically characterized the evolution, structure, and drought responsiveness of the PeNLPs, providing a theoretical basis and genetic resources for improving nitrogen use efficiency and drought resistance in trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation to Stress)
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18 pages, 4264 KB  
Article
Expansion and Functional Divergence of Shaker K+ Channels in Bermudagrass Highlight CdKAT1.1 in Salt Tolerance
by Dong-Li Hao, Jia Qu, Jun-Yi Zhai, Rui-Qi Zhang, Shu-Yan Xi, Xi Xiang, Rong-Rong Chen, Hai-Lin Guo, Jun-Qin Zong and Jing-Bo Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073020 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Salt stress inhibits plant growth, requiring salt-tolerant genes for the development of resilient plants. A key tolerance mechanism is potassium/sodium homeostasis, governed by Shaker K+ channels. Given that Shaker K+ channels from salt-sensitive species have been extensively studied while their counterparts [...] Read more.
Salt stress inhibits plant growth, requiring salt-tolerant genes for the development of resilient plants. A key tolerance mechanism is potassium/sodium homeostasis, governed by Shaker K+ channels. Given that Shaker K+ channels from salt-sensitive species have been extensively studied while their counterparts in salt-tolerant plants remain largely unexplored, this study investigates the evolution and function of these channels in salt-tolerant bermudagrass to address this knowledge gap. Genomic analysis identified 25 Shaker K+ channel genes, an expanded family relative to other species. Phylogenetics placed them into five groups (I–V), with groups I, II, III, and V expanded via segmental duplication. Salt stress response screening revealed that only CdKAT1.1 was rapidly upregulated. Functional assays in yeast demonstrated that both CdKAT1.1 and its closest homolog CdKAT1.2 improve potassium uptake and salt tolerance, but the enhancement from CdKAT1.1 was significantly greater. This work elucidates the expansion and functional divergence of Shaker K+ channels in bermudagrass. CdKAT1.1 emerges as a superior regulator of potassium efficiency and salt tolerance, making it a prime candidate for molecular breeding to improve plant resilience in saline-alkaline soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation to Stress)
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