Search Results (3,229)

Abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, alkalinity, temperature extremes, flooding, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants, challenge plant growth and productivity by disturbing water relations, ion balance, redox homeostasis, membrane stability, energy metabolism, and developmental progression. Although substantial progress has been made in the identification of stress-responsive hormones, second messengers, kinases, transcription factors, transporters, and metabolic regulators, plant stress adaptation cannot be fully explained by linear signaling cascades or single tolerance genes. A major unresolved question is how early molecular events are reorganized into coordinated physiological and developmental outputs that support survival, recovery, and productivity. In this review, we propose an intermolecular interaction-driven adaptive remodeling framework for plant abiotic stress responses. This framework emphasizes that stress tolerance emerges from dynamic changes in receptor–ligand recognition, protein–protein interactions, calcium decoding, redox-sensitive modification, phosphorylation networks, transcriptional regulation, chromatin-associated control, and metabolite-mediated feedback. We further emphasize ROS as integrative redox switches that connect stress sensing, defense activation, senescence-related transitions, and recovery, and chromatin-associated mechanisms as regulators that may stabilize primed or memory-like adaptive states. We discuss how these interaction networks converge on core signaling hubs, including abscisic acid, reactive oxygen species, Ca²⁺, and kinase/phosphatase systems, and how they remodel stomatal behavior, root architecture, ion and pH homeostasis, redox buffering, metabolism, development, and reproductive resilience. We further highlight how natural variation, multi-omics, genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping, and field validation can translate interaction-centered stress biology into crop resilience. This perspective provides a conceptual bridge between molecular stress perception, network behavior, physiological adaptation, and climate-resilient agriculture. Full article

Background: Di19 (drought-induced 19)proteins belong to the C2H2-type zinc-finger family and play a crucial role in regulating plant growth, developmental processes, hormone signal transduction, and abiotic stress adaptation. However, research on the Di19 gene family in sweet potato and its diploid relatives remains relatively limited. Methods: At the whole-genome level, members of the Di19 gene family in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, 2n = 6x = 90) and its two diploid relatives, Ipomoea trifida (2n = 2x = 30) and Ipomoea triloba (2n = 2x = 30) were systematically identified, and multi-dimensional bioinformatics analyses were carried out. Results: Seven Di19 genes were identified per species, with the family’s overall evolutionary characteristics conserved. Some IbDi19s showed species-specific structural variations, mainly manifested as an increase in the number of exons, loss or substitution of conserved motifs. The expression patterns of Di19s of two diploid relatives are highly conserved. IbDi19s are mainly expressed in leaves and roots. Most members respond significantly to JA treatment, but hardly respond to IAA. The expression of IbDi19-1 was significantly up-regulated by 336-fold and 68-fold under GA3 and cold treatments, respectively. Based on bioinformatics and expression data, a hypothesis was proposed that IbDi19-1 may be involved in the regulation of low-temperature response and gibberellin signaling pathways. Conclusions: This study provides candidate genes and a theoretical basis for evolutionary analysis, stress-resistant molecular breeding of the Di19 gene family in sweet potato and its two diploid relatives. Full article

The Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEET) family plays a crucial role in the carbohydrate distribution, phloem loading, and stress response of plants, yet the evolutionary characteristics and functional diversification of SWEET genes in the endangered timber species Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yen C. Yang remain largely unexplored. In this study, 21 PbSWEET genes were identified and classified into four subfamilies (A-D). Subfamily A exhibited a unique lineage expansion, mainly driven by tandem and segmental duplications. The nonsynonymous-to-synonymous substitution ratio (Ka/Ks) values of all duplicate gene pairs were all less than 1, indicating a strong selective suppression effect; consistent with this evolutionary constraint, the majority of PbSWEET proteins harbor the conserved Medicago truncatula Nodulin 3/saliva (MtN3_slv) domain, with only a few exceptions lacking a complete version. Promoter and hormone response analyses revealed that under abscisic acid (ABA) stress, PbSWEET4 exhibited an immediate burst, whereas PbSWEET10 showed a delayed burst. Physiological data indicated that soluble sugars may be more dominant osmolytes than proline (Pro), a pattern that points to a potential carbon-centric regulatory strategy. PbSWEET4 showed an early burst before sugar/oxidative peaks, suggesting a possible non-canonical signaling role, whereas PbSWEET10 exhibited a late increase coinciding with sugar/malondialdehyde (MDA) peaks, suggesting potential involvement in sugar redistribution. Under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment, PbSWEET10 was rapidly induced, yet sugar accumulation occurred only at 24 h, a temporal decoupling that suggests a possible transcription–metabolism decoupling. Collectively, these correlative patterns point to a possible dual-wave transcriptional mechanism and nominate PbSWEET10 as a candidate for stress response, though these inferences require functional validation. Full article

Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (ANE) are widely used biostimulants associated with improvements in plant growth, productivity, nutrient acquisition, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, the molecular mechanisms linking extract composition to plant signaling and physiological responses remain incompletely resolved. ANE contains a complex mixture of bioactive constituents, including polysaccharides, osmolytes, phenolic compounds, and phytohormone-like molecules. Their composition varies according to biomass source, environmental conditions, and extraction methodology, contributing to variability in biological activity. Current evidence suggests that ANE functions mainly as a signaling modulator rather than a direct nutrient source. ANE treatment has been associated with early cellular responses, including cytosolic Ca²⁺ influx, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-associated signaling events. However, many proposed mechanisms remain unresolved, and a considerable proportion of the available mechanistic evidence originates from studies using purified ANE-derived polysaccharides or related elicitor systems. ANE-associated responses include modulation of nutrient transport, primary metabolism, hormonal regulation, transcriptional reprogramming, and stress-responsive pathways, contributing to improved root development, nutrient acquisition, and defense-related responses. Nevertheless, limited knowledge of receptor-mediated perception mechanisms, signaling hierarchies, and extract-dependent variability continues to constrain mechanistic understanding and reproducibility. Future research should prioritize receptor identification, bioassay-guided fractionation, integrated multi-omics approaches, and improved standardization of extraction and formulation procedures. These advances will be essential for establishing robust mechanistic models and supporting the development of evidence-based ANE biostimulants for sustainable crop production. Full article

Plants must continuously balance the trade-offs between growth and defense, a constraint that is exacerbated by biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly when they occur together. Ethylene (ET) serves as a central, integrative regulatory node controlling this by linking developmental programs to stress-responsive signaling networks. Advances at the molecular and systems levels have revealed that ET mediates the redistribution of metabolic resources via coordinated regulation of its synthesis, perception, and downstream signaling. The ETR (Ethylene Receptor)-CTR1 (Constitutive Triple Response 1)-EIN2 (Ethylene Insensitive 2)-EIN3(Ethylene Insensitive 3) signaling module lies at the core of this network, integrating multiple hormonal pathways. Through dynamic crosstalk with jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (AUX), and gibberellins (GA), ET enables the fine-tuned coordination of growth inhibition, immune activation, and stress acclimation in response to environmental fluctuations. Processes such as induced systemic resistance, programmed cell death, and architectural plasticity further reinforce this regulatory framework, with ethylene-responsive transcription factors, including ERFs (ethylene responsive factor gene family) and WRKYs, acting as critical convergence points. Emerging insights into ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) -dependent signaling, chromatin remodeling, and tissue-specific regulation expand the functional scope of ET beyond traditional hormone paradigms. At the same time, the ability of pathogens to manipulate ET signaling underscores its dual role in both promoting immunity and facilitating susceptibility. By integrating molecular, physiological, and ecological perspectives, this review highlights ET as a central coordinator of plant stress resilience and growth optimization, providing a unifying framework for understanding how plants adapt to complex and dynamic environments. Full article

Fragaria vesca is a highly adaptable diploid model species. Although bHLH transcription factors (TFs) have been widely reported to regulate plant development and stress responses, the bHLH gene family has not been systematically characterized in Fragaria vesca. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the bHLH TF family based on the Fragaria vesca v6 genome assembly. A total of 117 FvbHLH genes were identified, and promoter analysis revealed the presence of numerous cis-regulatory elements associated with plant development, hormone signaling, and stress responses. Transcriptome analysis showed that several FvbHLH genes were differentially expressed in leaves and stems under low-temperature stress. The low-temperature expression patterns of selected genes were further validated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Moreover, heterologous overexpression of FvbHLH86 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced cold tolerance by improving reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. These findings provide a valuable foundation for future functional studies of FvbHLH genes and contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cold stress responses in Fragaria vesca. Full article

TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) are plant-specific regulators involved in growth, development, and responses to abiotic stresses, yet their roles in halophytes remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of TCP family members in the extreme halophyte Salicornia europaea, uncovering 15 non-redundant genes (SeurTCPs) classified into PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1 subfamilies. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed that SeurTCPs are largely intronless and maintain the canonical TCP domain, while showing subfamily-specific variations in motif composition and secondary/tertiary structures. Promoter analysis identified abundant stress and hormone-responsive cis-elements, particularly ABRE and STRE, suggesting potential involvement in salt stress signaling. Protein–protein interaction network prediction highlighted CIN and PCF members as hub nodes, indicating central roles in growth and stress response regulation. Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that most SeurTCP genes were responsive to salinity treatment, although the extent of transcriptional variation differed among subfamilies. Collectively, our results indicate that SeurTCPs balance conserved structural functions with subfamily-specific regulatory roles, contributing to S. europaea adaptation to extreme saline environments. This study provides valuable candidate genes for elucidating plant salt tolerance mechanisms and for potential crop improvement. Full article

Background: The NAC family constitutes one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors and plays crucial roles in fruit development, ripening, seed life, and stress responses. However, comprehensive characterization of NAC genes in Persea americana (avocado), an economically important horticultural crop, has been largely unexplored. Methods: We performed a genome-wide identification and systematic characterization of NAC transcription factor (TF) genes in P. americana using blastp analysis, phylogenetic reconstruction, expression profiling and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results: A total of 130 NAC genes (PaNACs) were identified and distributed across all 12 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these PaNACs into eight distinct subfamilies. WGCNA identified 43 co-expression modules, with 68 PaNAC genes distributed across 24 modules associated with hormone signaling, cell wall modification, secondary metabolism, and fatty acid beta-oxidation. Among 48,785 developmental differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 70 PaNAC genes were differentially expressed, with PaNAC003 and PaNAC002 showing the strongest upregulation and PaNAC023 and PaNAC025 the strongest downregulation. Among 9488 ethylene-responsive DEGs, PaNAC041 was suppressed by ethylene and induced by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, a competitive inhibitor of ethylene perception), while PaNAC016, PaNAC085, and PaNAC086 showed the opposite pattern. Conclusions: These findings provide a genomic and transcriptional framework for future functional investigation of PaNAC genes and their potential relevance to avocado fruit development and postharvest ripening. Full article

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gasotransmitter generated by heme oxygenase (HO) isoforms during heme catabolism. The inducible HO-1 produces CO under conditions of redox imbalance, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. On the other hand, HO-2 constitutively generates CO, primarily during the physiological turnover of heme. Extensive evidence indicates that CO exerts autocrine effects by targeting hemoproteins, including soluble guanylyl cyclase, cyclooxygenase, and cytochromes. Furthermore, CO regulates many biological processes within the brain, including mitochondrial biogenesis, potassium channel activity, mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling. It also controls the activity of transcription factors, such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Through these mechanisms, CO modulates inflammatory gene expression, promotes anti-apoptotic signaling, and contributes to local stress responses. Conversely, CO produced in the hypothalamus inhibits the stress-induced release of corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin under pro-inflammatory conditions, resulting in reduced adrenocorticotropin hormone release and cortisol secretion from the anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex, respectively. Moreover, hypothalamic CO acts in a paracrine manner to modulate glucocorticoid release during psychological stress, including restraint or water deprivation. Together, these findings support the view that endogenous CO is a key modulator of the stress axis, exerting pleiotropic effects that integrate neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic responses. Full article

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are increasingly recognized as dynamic vectors capable of transporting a wide range of environmental contaminants, as well as acting as physical particulates. Their small size, high surface reactivity and strong sorption capacity allow them to carry metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine-active compounds into biological systems. This narrative review examines how these particle-contaminant complexes influence oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling and endocrine function during early development. Relevant literature was identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, with a focus on the physicochemical properties of plastics, sorption mechanisms, gut barrier physiology and developmental toxicology. Early developmental stages are particularly sensitive, as immature mucus layers, permeable epithelial junctions and underdeveloped detoxification pathways facilitate the uptake and systemic distribution of MNPLs. Once internalized, these particles and their chemical cargo promote the generation of reactive oxygen species through redox-active contaminants, surface-catalysed reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction. The resulting oxidative imbalance activates stress-responsive pathways, including Nrf2–Keap1 signaling, and promotes lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cellular dysfunction. MNPLs also stimulate inflammatory cascades by activating pattern-recognition receptors, altering cytokine profiles and disrupting epithelial homeostasis. These responses are intensified in the presence of sorbed pollutants, leading to sustained inflammatory states that can be particularly detrimental during organogenesis and immune maturation. Endocrine function is likewise affected, as MNPLs transport hormonally active chemicals and can interfere with hormone-responsive pathways through oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. These interactions may disrupt thyroid signaling, metabolic regulation and the development of the reproductive axis, with potential long-term physiological consequences. Integrating evidence from polymer chemistry, contaminant behavior and developmental physiology, this review shows that MNPLs act as biologically active vectors that may increase oxidative, inflammatory and endocrine disturbances during early development. These findings highlight the importance of considering particle–contaminant interactions as a critical component of early-life risk assessment. Full article

JAZ (Jasmonate ZIM-Domain) proteins are key negative regulators of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway and are involved in various plant growth, development, and stress regulation. However, the functions of the JAZ gene family in Camellia nitidissima remain poorly understood. Here, ten CnJAZ genes were identified at the genome-wide level, encoding 134–398 amino acids and unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. All CnJAZs were predicted to localize to the nucleus. Based on phylogenetic and structural analyses, the ten CnJAZs were classified into five subfamilies, with members of the same subfamily sharing similar exon–intron structures. Collinearity analysis with Arabidopsis thaliana and Malus domestica suggests that the JAZ gene family shares a common ancestor. Promoter analysis revealed cis-acting elements responsive to light, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and anaerobic stress. Transcriptome profiling showed that most CnJAZs exhibit tissue- and development-specific expression, particularly during flower development and organ formation. RT-qPCR confirmed that MeJA and gibberellin (GA₃) significantly induced the expression of CnJAZ, whereas ethylene (ETH) treatment up-regulated CnJAZ3 and CnJAZ5 by 80-fold after three hours. These findings highlight their important roles in growth, development, and hormonal regulation in C. nitidissima, laying a foundation for functional studies. Full article

Granulosa cells (GCs), an element of the ovarian follicle, are crucial for oocyte maturation, folliculogenesis, and steroidogenesis. Granulosa cells play a crucial role in fertilization by providing metabolic and hormonal support to the oocyte, maintaining its quality and regulating its meiotic arrest. Oocyte quality and fertilization efficiency depend on the proper activity of GCs, especially their mutual communication, providing metabolic support and protecting against oxidative stress. When interrupted, they may take part in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, primary ovarian insufficiency, and diminished ovarian reserve. GCs are enclosed in the antrum where they communicate with surrounding cells, create a dynamic microenvironment, and regulate hormone biosynthesis. To analyze molecular mechanisms regulating endogenous signaling, it is important to consider the dynamic transcriptomic response of porcine GCs during in vitro culturing over 48, 96, and 144 h. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a variable and dynamic transcriptional upregulation of genes associated with cellular response to endogenous and external stimuli, chemical compound metabolism, vascular development, and GCs migration. Also, proven by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, the following terms were highlighted: “cellular response to chemical stimulus” and “cellular response to organic substance”. Specific genes, such as HSD3B1, POSTN, LOX, SERPINB2, ITGB3, ANKRD1, SLC1A1, and SFRP2, exhibited significant expression changes, suggesting extensive GCs self-regulation and metabolism changes. Further analysis indicates improvements in cellular response to a cytokine stimulus, growth factor response, hormone response, enzyme-linked receptor protein signaling, and positive regulation of cell migration. These findings suggest interweaving of regulatory mechanisms underlying intercellular communication in GCs during in vitro culturing, despite the lack of signals from the native ovarian environment. Further investigating interplays of detecting pathways will provide a more comprehensive understanding and even insights into the potential clinical use of the knowledge about the role of GCs in folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and ovulation. Full article

Anthocyanin-rich dark pigmentation is increasingly recognized as more than a simple consequence of flavonoid accumulation. Here, we define the anthocyanin-driven dark phenotype (ADP) as a coordinated stress-responsive state characterized by intense anthocyanin accumulation coupled with cellular and regulatory reprogramming. Recent studies show that reactive oxygen species, sugar signaling, temperature stress, and hormonal crosstalk converge on MYB–bHLH–WD40-centered regulatory networks that integrate pigment biosynthesis with vacuolar organization, transport activity, and stress adaptation. Epigenetic remodeling, chromatin dynamics, and post-transcriptional regulation further influence pigment intensity and persistence. Importantly, ADPs do not represent an alternative biosynthetic pathway or merely pigment abundance, but instead reflect a systems-level regulatory state governed by coordinated transcriptional, hormonal, and epigenetic control of the canonical anthocyanin machinery. However, several important questions remain unresolved, including how plants retain phenotypic stability under various environmental and developmental settings, whether ADPs contribute to long-term stress memory, and how anthocyanin accumulation is balanced with growth and energy expenditures. To translate ADP-associated features into crop development techniques, these gaps must be filled. We also emphasize spatial omics and CRISPR-based engineering as new methods for analyzing and modifying stress-resilient phenotypes. Full article

Thinopyrum ponticum, a salt-tolerant grass widely used in the restoration of saline–alkali lands, was the focus of this study. Two accessions with contrasting salt tolerance—‘4–6’ (salt tolerant) and ‘5–22’ (salt sensitive)—were watered with 500 mM NaCl solution for 14 days, and seedling growth and physiological responses were assessed. Salt stress significantly inhibited the growth of both accessions, but ‘4–6’ was less impacted. Morphologically, ‘4–6’ adapted to stress by increasing the root-to-shoot ratio, increasing leaf length, and decreasing leaf width. In contrast, the growth of ‘5–22’ was comprehensively inhibited, with significant reductions in fresh weight, dry weight, leaf length, and leaf area. Physiologically, the contents of malondialdehyde and proline increased in both accessions, but ‘4–6’ exhibited stronger antioxidant capacity and more flexible regulation of sugar metabolism (with sucrose decreasing while fructose and glucose increased) to maintain osmotic balance. In comparison, ‘5–22’ showed dysregulated sugar metabolism, characterized by sucrose accumulation and a decrease in fructose, which exacerbated salt damage. Regarding hormones under salt stress, IAA content increased in leaves of ‘4–6’ but decreased in ‘5–22’. Jasmonate-related hormones decreased in both accessions; however, ‘4–6’ maintained higher basal levels and smaller reductions, indicating stronger hormonal regulation capacity. Correlation analysis confirmed that IAA- and JA-related hormones play important roles in salt tolerance of Thinopyrum ponticum. In terms of ion balance, ‘4–6’ maintained higher K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ratios, promoted beneficial cation transport to shoots, and restricted Cl⁻ accumulation. In contrast, ‘5–22’ suffered from disrupted ion balance and excessive Cl⁻ accumulation, resulting in severe growth inhibition. In addition, the key indicators screened by RDA provide an important reference for revealing the salt tolerance mechanism of Thinopyrum ponticum and for constructing a corresponding evaluation system. This study elucidates the mechanisms underlying differential salt tolerance among Thinopyrum ponticum accessions, highlighting the coordinated role of hormonal reprogramming and ion homeostasis. These findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for breeding new salt-tolerant varieties of Thinopyrum ponticum and for the amelioration of saline–alkali lands. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that impairs plant growth, metabolism, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. To investigate methylation-associated Cd responses in the medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis, we integrated whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and transcriptome sequencing under three Cd treatments (T0, T2, and T4). Cd stress induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming and widespread DNA methylation changes, with CHH methylcytosines accounting for the largest proportion of methylated sites, whereas CG sites showed the highest average methylation level. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were predominantly detected in the CHH context and were frequently located in promoter and flanking regions. Integrated analysis identified 6547 and 6204 differentially methylated genes in T2 vs. T0 and T4 vs. T0, respectively, and 420 and 612 genes, respectively, showing concurrent changes in DNA methylation and transcript abundance. Genes with hypermethylation and reduced expression were more frequent than hypomethylated/upregulated genes and were mainly associated with photosynthesis, carbon fixation, fatty acid metabolism, sulfur-related metabolism, and secondary metabolic pathways potentially related to medicinal quality. Among the hypomethylated/upregulated genes, the hormone-related candidate gene StGH3.1 was selected for functional validation, and heterologous overexpression of StGH3.1 enhanced Cd tolerance in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana. These results indicate that Cd stress is accompanied by coordinated methylome and transcriptome remodeling in S. tonkinensis and provide methylation-associated candidate genes for further investigation of Cd-responsive adaptation. Full article