Search Results (1,001)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop in Northwest China, exhibiting resistance to salt and drought. Mining its excellent tolerance genes can be used for breeding. However, the current platforms for identifying gene function in sunflower is inadequate. The transient transformation system, which can rapidly validate gene function, shows promising prospects in research. In this study, we established an efficient transient expression transformation system for sunflower using three methods: Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration, injection, and ultrasonic-vacuum. The detailed procedures were as follows: Agrobacterium GV3101 carrying a GUS reporter gene on the pBI121 vector with an OD₆₀₀ of 0.8 as the bacterial suspension and 0.02% Silwet L-77 as the surfactant were utilized in all three approaches. For the infiltration method, seedlings grown hydroponically for 3 days were immersed in a bacterial suspension containing 0.02% Silwet L-77 for 2 h; for the injection method, the same solution was injected into the cotyledons of seedlings grown in soil for 4 to 6 days. Subsequently, the seedlings were cultured in the dark at room temperature for three days; for the ultrasonic-vacuum method, seedlings cultured in Petri dishes for 3 days were first subjected to ultrasonication at 40 kHz for 1 min, followed by vacuum infiltration at 0.05 kPa for 5–10 min. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation efficiency achieved by the three methods exceeded 90%, with gene expression being sustained for at least 6 days. Next, we employed the infiltration-based sunflower transient transformation technology with the Arabidopsis stable transformation platform to confirm salt and drought stress tolerance of candidate gene HaNAC76 from sunflower responding to various abiotic stresses. Altogether, this study successfully established an Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation system for sunflower using these three methods, which can rapidly identify gene function and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying sunflower’s resistance traits. Full article

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA; EC 4.1.2.13) is a key enzyme in glycolysis and the Calvin cycle, which plays crucial roles in carbon allocation and plant growth. The FBA family genes (FBA s) have been identified in several plants. However, their presence and roles in sweet potato remain unexplored. In this study, a total of 20 FBAs were identified in sweet potato and its wild wild diploidrelatives, including seven in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, 2n = 6x = 90), seven in I. trifida (2n = 2x = 30), and six in I. triloba (2n = 2x = 30). Their protein physicochemical properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, promoter cis-elements, and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. The conserved genes and protein structures suggest a high degree of functional conservation among FBA genes. IbFBAs may participate in storage root development and starch biosynthesis, especially IbFBA1 and IbFBA6, which warrant further investigation as candidate genes. Additionally, the FBAs could respond to drought and salt stress. They are also implicated in hormone crosstalk, particularly with ABA and GA. This work provides valuable insights into the structure and function of FBAs and identifies candidate genes for improving yield, starch content, and abiotic stress tolerance in sweet potatoes. Full article

GOLDEN2-LIKEs (GLKs) are important transcription factors for the chloroplast development influencing photosynthesis, nutrition, senescence, and stress response in plants. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a highly photosynthetic plant; here, a GLK-homologues gene HaGLK was identified from the sunflower genome by bioinformatics. To analyze the bio-function of HaGLK, transgenic rice plants overexpressing HaGLK (HaGLK-OE) were constructed and characterized via phenotype. Compared to the wild-type control rice variety Zhonghua 11 (ZH11), the HaGLK-OE lines exhibited increased photosynthetic pigment contents, higher net photosynthetic rates, and enlarged chloroplast area; meanwhile, genes involved in both photosynthesis and chlorophyll biosynthesis were also significantly up-regulated. Significantly, the HaGLK-OE plants showed a 12–13% increase in yield per plant. Additionally, the HaGLK-OE plants were demonstrated to have improved salt and drought tolerance compared to the control ZH11. Our results indicated that the HaGLK gene could play multiple roles in photosynthesis and stress response in rice, underscoring its potential value for improving crop productivity and environmental adaptability in breeding. Full article

The worldwide agriculture industry is facing increasing problems due to rapid population increase and increasingly unfavorable weather patterns. In order to reach the projected food production targets, which are essential for guaranteeing global food security, innovative and sustainable agricultural methods must be adopted. Conventional approaches, including traditional breeding procedures, often cannot handle the complex and simultaneous effects of biotic pressures such as pest infestations, disease attacks, and nutritional imbalances, as well as abiotic stresses including heat, salt, drought, and heavy metal toxicity. Applying phytohormonal approaches, particularly those involving hormonal crosstalk, presents a viable way to increase crop resilience in this context. Abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GAs), auxin, cytokinins, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, and GA are among the plant hormones that control plant stress responses. In order to precisely respond to a range of environmental stimuli, these hormones allow plants to control gene expression, signal transduction, and physiological adaptation through intricate networks of antagonistic and constructive interactions. This review focuses on how the principal hormonal signaling pathways (in particular, ABA-ET, ABA-JA, JA-SA, and ABA-auxin) intricately interact and how they affect the plant stress response. For example, ABA-driven drought tolerance controls immunological responses and stomatal behavior through antagonistic interactions with ET and SA, while using SnRK2 kinases to activate genes that react to stress. Similarly, the transcription factor MYC2 is an essential node in ABA–JA crosstalk and mediates the integration of defense and drought signals. Plants’ complex hormonal crosstalk networks are an example of a precisely calibrated regulatory system that strikes a balance between growth and abiotic stress adaptation. ABA, JA, SA, ethylene, auxin, cytokinin, GA, and BR are examples of central nodes that interact dynamically and context-specifically to modify signal transduction, rewire gene expression, and change physiological outcomes. To engineer stress-resilient crops in the face of shifting environmental challenges, a systems-level view of these pathways is provided by a combination of enrichment analyses and STRING-based interaction mapping. These hormonal interactions are directly related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). This review emphasizes the potential of biotechnologies to use hormone signaling to improve agricultural performance and sustainability by uncovering the molecular foundations of hormonal crosstalk. Increasing our understanding of these pathways presents a strategic opportunity to increase crop resilience, reduce environmental degradation, and secure food systems in the face of increasing climate unpredictability. Full article

Asia minor bluegrass (Polypogon fugax), a widespread Poaceae weed, exhibits broad tolerance to abiotic stresses. Validated reference genes (RGs) for reliable RT-qPCR normalization in this ecologically and agriculturally significant species remain unidentified. This study identified eight candidate RGs using transcriptome data from seedling tissues. We assessed the expression stability of these eight RGs across various abiotic stresses and developmental stages using Delta Ct, BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder algorithms. A comprehensive stability ranking was generated using RefFinder, with validation performed using the target genes COR413 and P5CS. Results identified EIF4A and TUB as the optimal RG combination for normalizing gene expression during heat stress, cold stress, and growth stages. EIF4A and ACT were most stable under drought stress, EIF4A and 28S under salt stress, and EIF4A and EF-1 under cadmium (Cd) stress. Furthermore, EIF4A and UBQ demonstrated optimal stability under herbicide stress. Additionally, application of validated RGs revealed higher acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene (ACCase) expression in one herbicide-resistant population, suggesting target-site gene overexpression contributes to resistance. This work presents the first systematic evaluation of RGs in P. fugax. The identified stable RGs provide essential tools for future gene expression studies on growth and abiotic stress responses in this species, facilitating deeper insights into the molecular basis of its weediness and adaptability. Full article

The bZIP gene family play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and stress responses, functioning as transcription factors. While this gene family has been studied in several plant species, its roles in the endangered woody plant Phoebe bournei remain largely unclear. This study comprehensively analyzed the PbbZIP gene family in P. bournei, identifying 71 PbbZIP genes distributed across all 12 chromosomes. The amino acid count in these genes ranged from 74 to 839, with molecular weights varying from 8813.28 Da to 88,864.94 Da. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the PbbZIP genes into 12 subfamilies (A-K, S). Interspecific collinearity analysis revealed homologous PbbZIP genes between P. bournei and Arabidopsis thaliana. A promoter cis-acting element analysis indicated that PbbZIP genes contain various elements responsive to plant hormones, stress signals, and light. Additionally, expression analysis of public RNA-seq data showed that PbbZIP genes are distributed across multiple tissues, exhibiting distinct expression patterns specific to root bark, root xylem, stem bark, stem xylem, and leaves. We also performed qRT-PCR analysis on five representative PbbZIP genes (PbbZIP14, PbbZIP26, PbbZIP32, PbbZIP67, and PbbZIP69). The results demonstrated significant differences in the expression of PbbZIP genes under various abiotic stress conditions, including salt stress, heat, and drought. Notably, PbbZIP67 and PbbZIP69 exhibited robust responses under salt or heat stress conditions. This study confirmed the roles of the PbbZIP gene family in responding to various abiotic stresses, thereby providing insights into its functions in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. The findings lay a foundation for future research on breeding and enhancing stress resistance in P. bournei. Full article

Plant growth is susceptible to abiotic stresses like salt and drought, and Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters (NHXs) play a pivotal role in stress responses. NHX proteins belong to the CPAs (cation/proton antiporters) family with a conserved Na⁺ (K⁺)/H⁺ exchange domain, which is widely involved in plant growth, development, and defense. While NHX genes have been extensively studied in model plants (e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa), research in other species remains limited. In this study, we identified nine NHX genes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and analyzed their systematic phylogeny, gene structure, protein characteristics, distribution of the chromosome, collinearity relationship, and cis-elements prediction at the promoter region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the members of the SiNHX gene family were divided into four subgroups. RT-qPCR analysis of the SiNHX family members showed that most genes were highly expressed in roots of foxtail millet, and their transcriptional levels responded to salt stress treatment. To determine SiNHX7’s function, we constructed overexpression Arabidopsis lines for each of the two transcripts of SiNHX7, and found that the overexpressed plants exhibited salt tolerance. These findings provide valuable insights for further study of the function of SiNHX genes and are of great significance for breeding new varieties of salt-resistant foxtail millet. Full article

Background: The short strand-related sequence (SRS) gene family is a class of plant-specific transcription factors related to a group of genes known as the short internode (SHI) or SRS/STY gene family, which plays important roles in regulating plant growth and development and stress responses. Although the SRS genes have been studied in many plants, in cucurbit crops, they have thus far only been identified in cucumber. Methods: In the Cucurbitaceae database from melon (Cucumis melo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), moschata pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), a total of 60 SRS genes were identified in seven Cucurbitaceae crops, which were classified into three subfamilies. Results: The same subfamily showed conserved motifs and gene structures. The differences in the number of SRS genes in different Cucurbitaceae crops implied likely gene loss or duplication events during evolution. Analysis of promoter cis-regulatory elements indicated that these SRS genes may be involved in hormone response, growth and development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. Most of the CmSRS genes in melons were expressed in the roots, with a few expressed in the leaves and ovaries. In addition, CmSRS expression was induced by biotic (wilt and powdery mildew) and abiotic (drought and salt) stresses. Subcellular localization of CmSRS proteins showed predominant expression in the nucleus. Conclusions: A total of 60 Cucurbitaceae SRS genes are present in the genomes of seven Cucurbitaceae crops. These cucurbit SRS genes seem to have maintained similar characteristics and functions during the evolutionary process. These results lay the foundation for the study of biological functions of SRS genes in Cucurbitaceae crops. Full article

Soil salinization poses a significant threat to tea plant (Camellia sinensis) production by compromising its bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine, which are key contributors to the plant’s health benefits and economic value. This study investigates the Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene family, a critical salt-tolerance regulator in tea plants, to elucidate its role in maintaining quality under environmental stress. Genome-wide analysis identified 51 CsSOS1 genes, with phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealing strong evolutionary conservation with Populus trichocarpa and Arabidopsis thaliana. Promoter analysis detected stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements, indicating adaptive functions in abiotic stress. Expression profiling demonstrated tissue-specific patterns, highlighting significant upregulation of CsSOS1-15 and CsSOS1-41 under salt and drought stress. Co-expression network analysis further linked CsSOS1 genes to carbohydrate metabolism, implicating their roles in stress resilience and secondary metabolite synthesis. Our findings provide molecular insights into CsSOS1-mediated salt tolerance, proposing potential targets for preserving bioactive compounds. This work facilitates developing salt-resistant tea plant cultivars to ensure sustainable production and quality stability amid environmental challenges. Full article

As an auxin-responsive gene, Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) maintains hormonal homeostasis by conjugating excess auxin with amino acids in plant stress-related signaling pathways. GH3 genes have been characterized in many plant species, but the characteristics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) GH3 (CaGH3) gene family members in response to multiple stimulants are largely unknown. In this study, we systematically identified the CaGH3 gene family at the genome level and identified eight members on four chromosomes in pepper. CaGH3s were divided into two groups (I and III) and shared conserved motifs, domains, and gene structures. Moreover, CaGH3s had close evolutionary relationships with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and the promoters of most CaGH3 genes contained hormone and abiotic stress response elements. A protein interaction prediction analysis demonstrated that the CaGH3-3/3-6/3-7/3-8 proteins were possibly core members of the CaGH3 family interaction. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that CaGH3 genes were differentially expressed in pepper tissues and could be induced by phytohormones (IAA, ABA, and MeJA) and abiotic stresses (salt, low temperature, and drought) with different patterns. In addition, CaGH3-5 and CaGH3-7 were cloned, and the sequences showed a high degree of conservation. Moreover, the results of subcellular localization indicated that they were located in the membrane and chloroplast. Notably, after overexpressing CaGH3-7 in tomato, RNA-seq was performed on wild-type and transgenic lines, and the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in response to external stimuli. This study not only lays the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the function of the CaGH3 gene family during plant growth and stress responses but also provides potential genetic resources for pepper resistance breeding. Full article

Caleosin/peroxygenases (CLO/PXGs) play critical functional roles during plant development, oxylipin metabolism, and the response to abiotic/biotic stressors and environmental toxins. In Oryza sativa, peroxygenase-9 (OsPXG9) catabolizes intermediates in oxylipin biosynthesis produced by lipoxygenase-9 (9-LOX) and scavenges HOOH and CuOOH by transferring oxygen to hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) but not to the free fatty acids. The resulting epoxide derivatives of HFAs are then enzymatically or non-enzymatically hydrolyzed into the corresponding trihydroxy derivatives. Results presented here demonstrate OsPXG9′s specificity for catabolizing products of the 9-LOX (and not for the 13-LOX) pathway of oxylipin biosynthesis. Overexpression of OsPXG9 reduces ROS (reactive oxygen species) abundance and reduces drought- and salt-stress-induced apoptotic cell death. The high expression level of OsPXG9 also stimulates drought- and salt-induced but not basal expression of antioxidant enzymes/pathways in plants, thereby increasing cellular resistance to drought. These results suggest that OsPXG9 decreases ROS abundance and is essential to increase resilience in rice plants exposed to exogenous or endogenous abiotic stress. Full article

The phosphofructokinase (PFK) gene family plays a pivotal role in glycolysis and energy metabolism in plants. This study aimed to systematically characterize the PFK gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana at the genome-wide level and to investigate the function of AtPFK2 (ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase 2) in response to salt and drought stress. Through bioinformatics analysis, 11 AtPFK genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these PFK genes can be classified into two subfamilies: PFK and PFP. Notably, AtPFK2 possesses a unique structure, containing only a single intron, and its promoter is enriched with stress- and hormone-responsive elements, such as ABRE and MBS. T-DNA insertion mutants (pfk2) exhibited slightly shorter roots but slightly higher fresh weight under stress conditions, whereas Arabidopsis lines AtPFK2-overexpressing (OE-PFK2) showed increased stress sensitivity, with inhibited root and leaf growth, leaf wilting, reduced malondialdehyde and chlorophyll content, and enhanced accumulation of proline and soluble sugars. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 14 stress-related modules, from which six core genes—LBD41, TRP3, PP2-A3, SAUR10, IAA6, and JAZ1—were selected. These genes are involved in glycine metabolism and plant hormone signaling. The results of this study indicate that AtPFK2 mediates stress responses by regulating osmoregulatory substances and hormone signaling pathways, offering new insights into the mechanisms of stress resistance in crops. Full article

The primary worldwide variables limiting plant development and agricultural output are the ever-present threat that environmental stressors such as salt (may trigger osmotic stress plus ions toxicity, which impact on growth and yield of the plants), drought (provokes water stress, resulting in lowering photosynthesis process and growth rate), heavy metals (induced toxicity, hindering physiological processes also lowering crop quantity and quality), and pathogens (induce diseases that may significantly affect plant health beside productivity). This review explores the integrated effects of these stressors on plant productivity and growth rate, emphasizing how each stressor exceptionally plays a role in physiological responses. Owing to developments in technology that outclass traditional breeding methods and genetic engineering techniques, powerful alleviation strategies are vital. New findings have demonstrated the remarkable role of nanoparticles in regulating responses to these environmental stressors. In this review, we summarize the roles and various applications of nanomaterials in regulating abiotic and biotic stress responses. This review discusses and explores the relationship between various types of nanoparticles (metal, carbon-based, and biogenic) and their impact on plant physiology. Furthermore, we assess how nanoparticle technology may play a role in practices of sustainable agriculture by reducing the amount of compounds used, providing them with a larger surface area, highly efficient mass transfer abilities, and controlled, targeted delivery of lower nutrient or pesticide amounts. A review of data from several published studies leads to the conclusion that nanoparticles may act as a synergistic effect, which can effectively increase plant stress tolerance and their nutritional role. Full article

Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott synthesizes volatile sesquiterpenes through the mevalonate pathway (MVA), in which 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) serves as the key rate-limiting enzyme. Although HMGR plays a crucial role in terpenoid biosynthesis, its functional characteristics in D. fragrans and its involvement in stress responses remain unclear. This study identified three HMGR genes (DfHMGR1/2/3) from the transcriptome data of D. fragrans. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the encoded proteins are localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and share high sequence similarity with fern homologs. Under abiotic stress conditions, DfHMGRs exhibited differential expression patterns, with marked upregulation under salt and drought stress. To validate the functions of these genes, we generated transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L. plants overexpressing DfHMGRs. Compared with wild-type controls, the transgenic lines showed enhanced tolerance to drought and heat stress. Promoter analysis identified functional regulatory regions controlling DfHMGR expression, and co-expression network analysis predicted 21 potential transcriptional regulators. This study validates the function of D. fragrans HMGRs in a heterologous system and provides candidate genes for improving stress resistance in plants. Full article

Soil saline–alkaline stress and water stress, exacerbated by anthropogenic activities and climate change, are major drivers of wetland vegetation degradation, severely affecting the function of wetland ecosystems. In this study, we conducted a simulation experiment with three water levels and four saline–alkaline concentration levels as stress factors to assess eight key functional traits of Phragmites australis and Bolboschoenus planiculmis, dominant species in the salt marsh wetlands in the western region of Jilin province, China. The study aimed to evaluate how these factors influence the functional traits of P. australis and B. planiculmis. Our results showed that the leaf area, root biomass, and clonal biomass of P. australis significantly increased, and the leaf area of B. planiculmis significantly decreased under low and medium saline–alkaline concentration treatments, while the plant height, ramet number, and aboveground biomass of P. australis and the root biomass, clonal biomass, and clonal/belowground biomass ratio of B. planiculmis were significantly reduced and the ratio of belowground to aboveground biomass of B. planiculmis significantly increased under high saline–alkaline concentration treatment. The combination of drought conditions with medium and high saline–alkaline treatments significantly reduced leaf area, ramet number, and clonal biomass in both species. The interaction between flooding water level and medium and high saline–alkaline treatments significantly suppressed the plant height, root biomass, and aboveground biomass of both species, with the number of ramets having the greatest contribution. These findings suggest that the effects of water levels and saline–alkaline stress on the functional traits of P. australis and B. planiculmis are species-specific, and the ramet number–plant height–root biomass (RHR) strategy may serve as an adaptive mechanism for wetland clones to environmental changes. This strategy could be useful for predicting plant productivity in saline–alkaline wetlands. Full article