Search Results (342)

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3/Shaggy-like) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that orchestrates growth, hormone signaling, and abiotic stress responses in both animals and plants, yet its role in watermelon remains unexplored. In this study, we conducted a whole-genome identification, identifying a total of eight members of the GSK3 gene family (ClGSK3) distributed across seven chromosomes. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses resolved the eight ClGSK3s into four subfamilies that display one-to-one or one-to-many orthology with Arabidopsis and rice GSK3 genes, indicating conserved genomic micro-collinearity across dicots and monocots. Predictions of cis-acting elements and transcriptome data analysis indicate that ClGSK3s may be involved in hormone- and stress-responsive conditions. Protein–protein interaction networks predicted 53 candidate partners for five ClGSK3 proteins; yeast two-hybrid assays subsequently confirmed that ClSK21 associates with three of them—orthologs of the core brassinosteroid (BR)-signaling components BKI1 and BZR1. qRT-PCR revealed that ClSK21, ClSK31, and ClSK41 are rapidly and significantly reprogrammed by BR treatment. Collectively, our data suggest that ClGSK3s modulate fruit development and stress tolerance by integrating hormone-related pathways, especially BR signaling. Future studies are encouraged to integrate genetics and multi-omics approaches to systematically validate the roles of ClGSK3s in hormone signaling and abiotic stress responses. Full article

The organisation of hemicelluloses within the pollen intine of many monocots remains inadequately characterised, partly due to the masking of epitopes within complex wall matrices. In this study, mature pollen grains of Gagea lutea (L.) Ker-Gawl. were analysed using immunofluorescence and immunogold technique with a variety of monoclonal antibodies that target xyloglucan (LM15, LM24, LM25, CCRC-M48), heteroxylan (LM10, LM11), heteromannan (LM21, LM22), and xylan (CCRC-M138). Semithin sections of LR White were examined both untreated and following a sequential enzymatic pretreatment, which included alkaline de-esterification followed by treatment with pectate lyase (RbPel1A) and endo-β-mannanase 5A. In untreated pollen, xyloglucan-related epitopes were identified within the intine, accompanied by additional intracellular labelling for LM15, and LM25; while for LM24 signal was only to the intine ring. Conversely, CCRC-M48 exhibited a more punctate distribution. Neither xylan- nor mannan-related epitopes were detected in the wall or intracellularly. The enzymatic digestion significantly altered the detectability of epitopes, resulting in an increase in continuous wall labelling within the intine across multiple probes. These findings indicate that enzymatic modification of pectic and mannan components has a considerable impact on the apparent distribution of hemicellulose epitopes within the pollen wall of G. lutea. Together, these results expand the still limited in situ immunolocalisation evidence base for hemicellulose-related epitopes in pollen, and provide a practical framework for interpreting digestion-dependent changes primarily in terms of epitope accessibility within the intine matrix. Full article

Efficient in vitro regeneration remains a major constraint in the genetic transformation, genome editing, and molecular breeding of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), largely due to strong genotype-dependent recalcitrance and limited activation of developmental programs required for somatic embryogenesis. Plant regeneration relies on extensive transcriptional reprogramming and epigenetic remodeling orchestrated by morphogenic regulators that modulate meristem identity, as well as cellular pluri- and totipotency. In this review, we synthesize current molecular knowledge on key transcription factors (BBM, WUS/WUS2, GRF-GIF, WOX, LAX1, SERK, WIND1/ERF115) and signaling peptides (CLE/CLV-WUS module, phytosulfokine/PSK) that regulate embryogenic competence in monocot cereals, with emphasis on their orthologs and functional relevance in wheat. We highlight how controlled expression of these morphogenic genes, promoter engineering, and transient or excisable induction systems can significantly enhance regeneration capacity, reduce chimerism in CRISPR-Cas-edited plants, and facilitate genotype-independent transformation. We also discuss epigenetic and metabolic constraints underlying wheat recalcitrance and their potential modulation to improve culture responsiveness. By integrating evidence from wheat, rice, maize, and barley, we outline conserved gene-regulatory networks that reinitiate totipotency and propose strategies to accelerate doubled haploid production and speed-breeding pipelines. Collectively, morphogenic factors emerge as central molecular tools for overcoming regeneration bottlenecks and enabling next-generation wheat improvement. The objective of this review is to synthesize and critically evaluate current molecular knowledge on morphogenic regulators controlling in vitro regeneration in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with particular emphasis on their roles in genetic transformation and genome editing. Full article

Modifications in leaf architecture disrupt optical properties and internal light-scattering dynamics. Accurate modeling of leaf-scale light scattering is therefore essential not only for understanding how disease affects the availability of light for chlorophyll absorption, but also for evaluating its potential as an early optical marker for plant disease detection prior to visible symptom development. Conventional ray-tracing and radiative-transfer models rely on high-frequency approximations and thus fail to capture diffraction and coherent multiple-scattering effects when internal leaf structures are comparable to optical wavelengths. To overcome these limitations, we present a GPU-accelerated finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) framework for full-wave simulation of light propagation within plant leaves, using anatomically realistic dicot and monocot leaf cross-section geometries. Microscopic images acquired from publicly available sources were segmented into distinct tissue regions and assigned wavelength-dependent complex refractive indices to construct realistic electromagnetic models. The proposed FDTD framework successfully reproduced characteristic reflectance and transmittance spectra of healthy leaves across the visible and near-infrared (NIR) ranges. Quantitative agreement between the FDTD-computed spectral reflectance and transmittance and those predicted by the reference PROSPECT leaf optical model was evaluated using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. Higher concordance was observed for dicot leaves ($C_b=0.90$) than for monocot leaves ($C_b=0.79$), indicating a stronger agreement for anatomically complex dicot structures. Furthermore, simulations mimicking an early-stage fungal infection in a dicot leaf—modeled by the geometric introduction of melanized hyphae penetrating the cuticle and upper epidermis—revealed a pronounced reduction in visible green reflectance and a strong suppression of the NIR reflectance plateau. These trends are consistent with experimental observations reported in previous studies. Overall, this proof-of-concept study represents the first full-wave FDTD-based optical modeling of internal light scattering in plant leaves. The proposed framework enables direct electromagnetic analysis of pre- and post-penetration light-scattering dynamics during early fungal infection and establishes a foundation for exploiting leaf-scale light scattering as a next-generation, pre-symptomatic diagnostic indicator for plant fungal diseases. Full article

Seed germination is a critical developmental stage exhibiting high vulnerability to salt stress. The role of MYB transcription factors (TFs) in mediating this process in Cannabis sativa L. remains largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis and identified 115 CsMYB genes, which were phylogenetically classified into 12 distinct subgroups. In silico promoter analysis revealed a significant enrichment of abscisic acid (ABA)- and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-responsive cis-elements, suggesting their potential linkage to phytohormone signaling pathways under stress conditions. To investigate their expression during salt stress, we profiled a subset of candidate CsMYB genes during seed germination under 150 mM NaCl treatment based on RNA-seq screening at 24 h post-imbibition (hpi) under salt stress. These candidates exhibited distinct temporal expression profiles: CsMYB33 and CsMYB44 were transiently induced at the early stage (12 h post-imbibition), while CsMYB14, CsMYB78, and CsMYB79 showed sustained upregulation from 24 h to 5 days. In contrast, CsMYB58 and CsMYB110 were downregulated. Synteny analysis indicated a closer evolutionary relationship between CsMYBs and their Arabidopsis thaliana orthologs compared to those in monocots. Protein–protein interaction predictions, based on orthology, further implicated these CsMYBs within putative ABA signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis networks. Collectively, our findings provide a systematic genomic identification and genomic characterization of the CsMYB family and propose a model for the potential multi-phase involvement of selected CsMYBs in the salt stress response during seed germination. This work establishes a foundational resource and identifies key candidate genes for future functional validation aimed at enhancing salt tolerance in C. sativa. Full article

Background: Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone that regulates plant growth and stress responses through protein phosphorylation. While ABA-induced phosphosignaling has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, its conservation and divergence across plant species remain unclear. Methods: Here, we performed phosphoproteomic analysis using LC-MS/MS in Arabidopsis, rice (Oryza sativa), and soybean (Glycine max) to compare ABA-responsive phosphorylation profiles among monocots, dicots, and legumes. Results: ABA treatments on Arabidopsis, rice, and soybean seedlings yielded approximately 24,604, 18,865, and 24,930 phosphopeptides, respectively. Comparative analyses revealed both conserved and species-specific ABA-responsive phosphoproteins. Conclusions: This work provides insights into the evolutionary diversification of ABA signaling and its potential applications in improving crop stress tolerance. Full article

Gloriosa superba ‘Passion Flame’ (flame lily) is a distinctive ornamental plant characterized by its striking floral structure and vivid coloration. During flower development, flame lily tepals undergo a pronounced color transition from green at the bud stage to bright red with a yellow base at maturity, providing an excellent system for studying flower pigmentation in monocots. Here, we applied a multi-omics approach to examine metabolite accumulation and gene expression dynamics across four stages of flower development. Metabolomic profiling identified 240 flavonoids and four anthocyanins, among which pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside showed the highest relative abundance among red pigmentation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that seven key anthocyanin structural genes showed strong correlations with anthocyanin accumulation. In parallel, several chlorophyll degradation genes, including GsSGR and GsPPH, were upregulated during tepal maturation, suggesting transcriptional activation of chlorophyll degradation pathways concurrent with pigment accumulation. Co-expression network analysis further identified GsMYB75 and GsMYB114 as temporally distinct regulators associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis, acting together with bHLH, NAC, and AP2/ERF transcription factors. This study provides new insights into the pigment regulation in G. superba ‘Passion Flame’ and offers candidate regulatory components for future functional studies and the improvement of ornamental traits in monocotyledonous plants. Full article

This study reports the first complete mitochondrial genome of the traditional medicinal and edible crop, D. opposita (493,268 bp, 45.67% GC). We annotated 39 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs), which included 24 core mitochondrial genes and 15 variable genes, as well as 19 tRNA genes and 3 rRNA genes, along with 245 SSRs and multiple repeat sequences. The longest palindromic repeat measured 260 bp, while the longest forward repeat was 24,068 bp. Furthermore, 723 RNA editing sites were discovered, all involving C-to-U edits, with the nad4 having the highest number of edits (60 sites in total). Comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses revealed Tiegun yam conserved gene content but structural variations compared to other monocots, underscoring the role of repetitive sequences and recombination in shaping mitochondrial architecture and facilitating cytonuclear co-adaptation. These findings establish a crucial genomic foundation for understanding mitochondrial regulation of growth and metabolic traits in this important species, with implications for future molecular breeding and functional studies of medicinal compound biosynthesis. Full article

Garlic’s vegetative reproduction limits genetic improvement, necessitating advanced biotechnological tools like protoplast culture. However, efficient protoplast regeneration in monocots such as garlic remains a significant challenge. This study establishes an optimized protocol for embryogenic callus induction and subsequent protoplast-to-plant regeneration in garlic (Allium sativum L.), aiming to overcome current limitations using suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and phytosulfokine-alpha (PSK). We successfully induced embryogenic callus from four garlic accessions and refined protoplast isolation and culture conditions. Key optimizations included using a specific enzyme mixture (2% cellulase R-10 and 0.2% pectolyase Y23) for high yields (from 0.8 to 2.1 × 10⁶ protoplasts per g FM) of viable (approx. 90%) protoplasts and employing the enriched K8M culture medium. Short exposure of protoplasts to SAHA (0.05 or 0.1 µM) significantly improved microcallus formation and plant regeneration. Notably, only callus derived from SAHA-treated cultures displayed regeneration potential, highlighting its pivotal role in embryo differentiation and development. This optimized protocol achieved a 70% success rate for plant acclimatization to ex vitro conditions, with 97% of regenerated plants retaining the ploidy of the donor accession. We demonstrate that SAHA and PSK application enhances garlic protoplast regeneration efficiency. This reliable system provides the groundwork for advanced biotechnological applications, including gene editing technologies in garlic. Full article

High-Mobility Group B (HMGB) proteins are conserved non-histone nuclear proteins involved in DNA replication, transcription, recombination, repair; plant growth and development; and stress responses. In this study, we identified nine ClHMGB genes in watermelon using genome-wide search. Phylogenetic and homology analyses classified them into four distinct classes. Synteny analysis revealed that ClHMGB genes share closer evolutionary relationships with dicots than with monocots. Tissue-specific expression profiling showed that eight ClHMGB members exhibit higher transcript levels in female and/or male flowers, suggesting that they play essential roles in floral organ development. Under drought, low-temperature, and salt stresses, ClHMGB members displayed distinct expression patterns. For instance, ClHMGB4 and ClHMGB8 were downregulated under drought and low-temperature stress but upregulated under salt stress, indicating potential functional specialization in response to different abiotic stresses. The highly virulent Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 (Fon R2) induced the upregulation of more ClHMGB genes than the less virulent race 1 (Fon R1). Four members (ClHMGB1, 4, 6, and 7) were consistently upregulated by both races, suggesting that they may play fundamental roles in disease resistance. This study provides a foundation for further investigation into the roles of ClHMGB genes in growth, development, and stress responses of watermelon. Full article

Phospholipid:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase (PDAT) catalyzes the final step of the acyl-CoA-independent triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis pathway and plays an important role in lipid metabolism and abiotic stress responses in plants. Oat (Avena sativa L.) possesses the highest lipid content among cereal crops, yet the functions of PDAT genes in this species remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified and characterized three AsPDAT genes in oat, which form a homeologous triplet evenly distributed across the three subgenomes and show high conservation in sequence and gene structure. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a clear divergence between monocot and dicot PDATs. Expression profiling revealed that the three AsPDAT genes share similar organ-specific and stress-responsive expression patterns, suggesting functional conservation following polyploidization, with AsPDAT-5C showing relatively higher transcript levels. The enzymatic activity of AsPDAT-5C was confirmed by complementation of the TAG-deficient yeast quadruple mutant H1246. Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells demonstrated that AsPDAT-5C localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Stable overexpression of AsPDAT-5C in Nicotiana tabacum significantly increased lipid content in both leaves and seeds without compromising plant growth and enhanced tolerance to cold and phosphorus-deficiency stresses. Our results provide new insights into the AsPDAT gene family and underscore the potential of AsPDAT-5C in engineering lipid biosynthesis and improving stress resilience in plants. Full article

Drought and salinity are critical abiotic stresses that constrain plant growth. Although MYB transcription factors mediate plant responses to abiotic stresses, their functions in the monocot I. laevigata remain unexplored. Here, we identified a nuclear-localized gene, IlMYB108, which was rapidly upregulated under NaCl and PEG-6000 treatments. Overexpression of IlMYB108 in tobacco enhanced root growth under salt and drought conditions. At the seedling stage, transgenic lines maintained higher leaf growth rates and plant height with reduced wilting during 14 days of continuous stress. Physiologically, transgenic plants exhibited a higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and chlorophyll content, alongside lower stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (Tr). They also accumulated less malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anion (O₂⁻), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which was attributed to enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), as confirmed by p-Nitro-Blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB) staining. Moreover, IlMYB108 up-regulated stress-responsive and antioxidant genes. Collectively, IlMYB108 functions as a key gene that enhances tobacco tolerance to salt and drought stress by coordinating root development, photosynthetic efficiency, water balance and antioxidant defense, thereby providing a valuable genetic resource for breeding stress-resilient plants. Full article

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a key channel controlling mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis, yet its role in plant stress responses remains unclear. Using the tomato pan-genome, this study identified 66 MCU genes across 12 tomato species and grouped them into two distinct evolutionary subfamilies. Phylogenetic, collinearity, and selection pressure analyses revealed that MCU genes are evolutionarily conserved and have undergone strong purifying selection. In addition, one MCU gene located on chromosome 6 appears to have originated before the divergence of monocots and dicots, indicating an ancient evolutionary trajectory. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses confirmed their structural conservation, while promoter cis-element analysis suggested that MCU genes are widely involved in light and hormone responsiveness. Expression profiling under salt stress showed that multiple MCU genes are differentially regulated in a time-dependent manner: SolycMCU1 and SolycMCU2 respond rapidly at early stages, whereas SolycMCU5 and SolycMCU6 are upregulated during middle and late phases. These results highlight the functional diversification of MCU genes in tomato under salt stress. This study provides the first comprehensive evolutionary and functional analysis of the tomato MCU gene family, offering insights into their stress-regulatory mechanisms and potential use in breeding salt-tolerant tomatoes. Full article

Climate change and the resulting abiotic stresses that emerge due to anthropogenic activities are the main causes of agricultural losses worldwide. Abiotic stresses such as water scarcity, extreme temperatures, high irradiance, saline soils, nutrient deprivation and heavy metal contamination compromise the development and productivity of crops on a global scale. In this scenario, understanding the response of C₄ plants to different abiotic stresses is of utmost importance, as they constitute major pillars of the global economy. To further our understanding of the response of C₄ monocots, Setaria viridis and Setaria italica have gradually emerged as powerful model species for elucidating the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. This review integrates recent findings on the morphophysiological, transcriptomic, and metabolic responses of S. viridis and S. italica to drought, elevated heat and light, saline soils, nutrient deficiencies and heavy metal contamination. Comparative analyses highlight conserved and divergent stress-response pathways between the domesticated S. italica and its wild progenitor S. viridis. Together, these findings reinforce Setaria as a versatile C₄ model for unraveling mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance and highlight its potential as a genetic resource for developing climate-resilient cereal and bioenergy crops. Full article

Curcuma wenyujin (C. wenyujin) is a Dao-di geoherb. It depends on specific ecological conditions. DNA methylation (5mC) mediates environmental stress responses, regulating both growth and bioactive compound synthesis. This implies epigenetic control of secondary metabolism in C. wenyujin. However, its DNA methylation patterns remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified five CwC5-MTases and three CwdMTases based on the transcriptome of C. wenyujin. They were responsible for DNA methylation and demethylation, respectively. Structural and integrated phylogenetic analysis classified the five CwC5-MTases into four subfamilies: CwMET, CwCMT, CwDRM, CwDNMT. The three CwdMTases were grouped into the ROS subfamily. Both CwC5-MTases and CwdMTases exhibited the closest evolutionary relationship to their homologs in monocots. Treatment of C. wenyujin seedlings with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-Az) enhanced terpenoid biosynthesis. QPCR analysis demonstrated that this treatment significantly upregulated key biosynthetic genes, with the exception of CwDXS. Subsequent GC detection further revealed a concomitant increase in the accumulation of β-elemene. Furthermore, Methylation-Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism (MSAP) analysis revealed that 5-Az altered global DNA methylation patterns. It primarily induced demethylation events. Finally, we explored the nature of these MSAP bands with altered methylation patterns. Gene identification and the effects of 5-Az on terpenoid biosynthesis and methylation not only elucidate the potential role of DNA methylation in secondary metabolism in C. wenyujin but also provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its geoherbalism. This research opens a new avenue for breeding high-yield and stress-tolerant cultivars. Full article