Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.6
4.1
Journals
Plants
Special Issues
Advancement in Gene Expression Regulation in Plants: Coordinating Growth, Development,...
share announcement

Advancement in Gene Expression Regulation in Plants: Coordinating Growth, Development, and Stress Resilience

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2007

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fei Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Interests: crop genetics; plant pathology; plant physiology; drought tolerance; salt tolerance; molecular biology
Dr. Zhongwei Zou

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
Interests: plant pathology; fungal genetics and biology; epidemiology of plant pathogens; plant breeding and genetics; breeding for disease resistance microbial
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Guogen Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
Interests: molecular microbiology; environmental microbiology; microbial molecular biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Different tissues, organs, or parts of a plant species share the same genome, yet they display distinct morphological characteristics and physiological functions. These differences stem from variations in transcript levels, protein expression, and metabolic activities, all orchestrated by tightly regulated gene expression. Such regulation is essential for plants to adapt to environmental challenges while sustaining growth and development. Gene expression is systematically and precisely governed by a complex network of regulatory factors, including transcription factors, epigenetic modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These elements enable plants to fine-tune stress responses and developmental processes, ensuring survival under diverse environmental conditions. Advances in molecular biology, omics technologies, and systems biology have greatly expanded our understanding of these intricate mechanisms.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on dynamic transcriptional changes, mechanisms of gene expression regulation, and their applications in improving crop resilience and productivity. We encourage submissions that encompass transcriptome analysis, genomics, functional genomics, and related studies. Additionally, contributions highlighting innovative strategies to translate these findings into sustainable agricultural practices are highly welcome, paving the way for more resilient and productive agricultural systems.

Dr. Fei Liu
Dr. Zhongwei Zou
Dr. Guogen Yang
Guest Editors

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • gene expression regulation
  • plant-environment interactions
  • transcription factors
  • epigenetic modifications
  • non-coding RNAs
  • transcriptomics
  • functional genomics
  • stress responses
  • sustainable agriculture

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (3 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

15 pages, 2636 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification of DNA Methyltransferase and Demethylase in Populus sect. Turanga and Their Potential Roles in Heteromorphic Leaf Development in Populus euphratica
by Chen Qiu, Jianhao Sun, Mingyu Jia, Xiaoli Han, Jia Song, Zhongshuai Gai and Zhijun Li
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2370; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152370 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 244
Abstract
DNA methylation, mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DMTs) and demethylases (DMLs), is an important epigenetic modification that maintains genomic stability and regulates gene expression in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, a comprehensive characterization of these gene families in Populus sect. Turanga remains [...] Read more.
DNA methylation, mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DMTs) and demethylases (DMLs), is an important epigenetic modification that maintains genomic stability and regulates gene expression in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, a comprehensive characterization of these gene families in Populus sect. Turanga remains lacking. In this study, eight PeDMT and two PeDML genes were identified in Populus euphratica, and six PpDMT and three PpDML genes in Populus pruinosa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DMTs and DMLs could be classified into four and three subfamilies, respectively. The analysis of cis-acting elements indicated that the promoter regions of both DMTs and DMLs were enriched with elements responsive to growth and development, light, phytohormones, and stress. Collinearity analysis detected three segmentally duplicated gene pairs (PeDMT5/8, PeDML1/2, and PpDML2/3), suggesting potential functional diversification. Transcriptome profiling showed that several PeDMTs and PeDMLs exhibited leaf shape- and developmental stage-specific expression patterns, with PeDML1 highly expressed during early stages and in broad-ovate leaves. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing revealed corresponding decreases in DNA methylation levels, suggesting that active demethylation may contribute to heteromorphic leaf formation. Overall, this study provides significant insights for exploring the functions and expression regulation of plant DMTs and DMLs and will contribute to future research unraveling the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in P. euphratica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement in Gene Expression Regulation in Plants: Coordinating Growth, Development, and Stress Resilience)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4054 KiB  
Article
Identification of Auxin-Associated Genes in Wheat Through Comparative Transcriptome Analysis and Validation of the Candidate Receptor-like Kinase Gene TaPBL7-2B in Arabidopsis
by Mengjie Zhang, Guangzhu Chen, Jie Cai, Yongjie Ji, Linrun Xiang, Xinhong Chen and Jun Wang
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2277; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152277 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 321
Abstract
Auxin (IAA), a key natural signaling molecule, plays a pivotal role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. Understanding its signal transduction mechanisms is crucial for improving crop yields. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of wheat leaf and [...] Read more.
Auxin (IAA), a key natural signaling molecule, plays a pivotal role in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. Understanding its signal transduction mechanisms is crucial for improving crop yields. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of wheat leaf and root tissues treated with different concentrations of IAA (0, 1, and 50 μM). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) exhibited tissue-specific regulatory patterns in response to auxin. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified receptor-like kinase genes within the MEgreen module as highly correlated with auxin response, suggesting their involvement in both root and leaf regulation. Among them, TaPBL7-2B, a receptor-like kinase gene significantly upregulated under 50 μM IAA treatment, was selected for functional validation. Ectopic overexpression of TaPBL7-2B in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) enhanced auxin sensitivity and inhibited plant growth by suppressing root development and leaf expansion. In contrast, knockout of the Arabidopsis homolog AtPBL7 reduced auxin sensitivity and promoted both root and leaf growth. Transcriptome analysis of Col-0, the TaPBL7-2B overexpression line, and the pbl7 mutant indicated that TaPBL7-2B primarily functions through the MAPK signaling pathway and plant hormone signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis of wheat varieties with differing auxin sensitivities confirmed a positive correlation between TaPBL7-2B expression and auxin response. In conclusion, TaPBL7-2B acts as a negative regulator of plant growth, affecting root development and leaf expansion in both Arabidopsis and wheat. These findings enhance our understanding of auxin signaling and provide new insights for optimizing crop architecture and productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement in Gene Expression Regulation in Plants: Coordinating Growth, Development, and Stress Resilience)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4120 KiB  
Article
The WRKY28-BRC1 Transcription Factor Module Controls Shoot Branching in Brassica napus
by Ka Zhang, Jinfang Zhang, Cheng Cui, Liang Chai, Benchuan Zheng, Liangcai Jiang and Haojie Li
Plants 2025, 14(3), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030486 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 980
Abstract
The trade-off between growth and defense is common in plants. We previously demonstrated that BnaA03.WRKY28 weakened resistance strength but promoted shoot branching in Brassica napus (rapeseed). However, the molecular mechanism by which WRKY28 promotes branching formation is still obscure. In this study, we [...] Read more.
The trade-off between growth and defense is common in plants. We previously demonstrated that BnaA03.WRKY28 weakened resistance strength but promoted shoot branching in Brassica napus (rapeseed). However, the molecular mechanism by which WRKY28 promotes branching formation is still obscure. In this study, we found that BnaA01.BRC1, BnaC01.BRC1, and BnaC03.BRC1 are mainly expressed in the leaf axils and contained W-box cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. BnaA03.WRKY28 directly bound to the promoter regions of these three copies and inhibited their expression. The brc1 mutants, the BnaA01.BRC1, BnaC01.BRC1 BnaA03.BRC1 and BnaC03.BRC1 were simultaneously knocked out, mediated by CRISPR/Cas9, and exhibited excessive branching. The expression level of the ABA biosynthesis encoding gene NCED3 was significantly reduced in the mutant compared to that in the WT. Instead, the expression level of the ABA catabolism encoding gene CYP707A3 was significantly higher than that in WT. These results suggest that the excessive branching of the brc1 mutant may be caused by the release of ABA-mediated bud dormancy. This study provides direct evidence for the potential mechanism of the WRKY28-BRC1 transcription factor module contributing to shoot branching in rapeseed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement in Gene Expression Regulation in Plants: Coordinating Growth, Development, and Stress Resilience)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop