Stilbenes, including resveratrol, piceatannol, and piceid, are valuable plant secondary metabolites but are often limited in terms of bioproduction yield. This study represents the first attempt to modulate stilbene production pathways in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cells. We investigated the potential of L-phenylalanine, sodium malonate dibasic, and cerulenin as metabolic modulators to promote stilbene biosynthesis. These modulators were tested at different concentrations and time points in both peanut callus cultures and cell suspension cultures. The effects of these modulators on cell growth and stilbene production were assessed. The results revealed that metabolic modulators significantly influence the production patterns of resveratrol, piceid, and piceatannol in peanut cells. Interestingly, both static and suspension cultures displayed distinct responses, with metabolite type and yield depending on the growth phase, modulator concentration, and incubation time. Our findings showed that 0.0002 mM cerulenin was the most effective modulator, resulting in more than a tenfold increase in resveratrol production in callus cultures. In cell suspension cultures, 0.5 mM sodium malonate dibasic also enhanced the production of resveratrol during the lag phase, whereas piceatannol and piceid were more prominently produced during the stationary phase. This effect was more significant than that observed with phenylalanine and cerulenin. This research provided valuable insights into metabolic pathway regulation within peanut cells and established a novel host system as a viable platform for future stilbene production.

Screening of salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties, identification of key genes and verification of gene function. Screening and breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties is crucial for the development and utilization of saline-alkali land. This study employed a comprehensive evaluation system to examine the response of various alfalfa germplasms to different salt concentrations during the germination and seedling stages. The classification of germplasms was achieved by integrating salt tolerance indicators across both phases, identifying the highly salt-tolerant cultivar 'Pegasus' and the salt-sensitive cultivar 'Fort'. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression between 'Pegasus' and 'Fort' under salt stress conditions. This identified 24 key candidate genes associated with alfalfa salt tolerance. Further analysis showed that the differential pathways between the tolerant and sensitive varieties involved metabolism and ion transport. The selected differential gene, MsELIP, was heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis. Compared to wild-type plants, the germination rate, main root length, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant capacity of the overexpression lines increased significantly under salt stress conditions. These findings provide germplasm resources for breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa and a theoretical foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in alfalfa.

Tomato mA writers and erasers were identified genome-wide. Furthermore, their inhibition was found to affect seedling growth, and these genes respond to various stimuli, including PEG, MeJA, ABA, GA, and SA. The balance between methylation and demethylation in N-methyladenosine (mA) determines the level of mA modification in multiple species. The mA modification is associated with abiotic stress and plant hormone responses. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the bioinformatics and expression patterns of writer and eraser genes under these conditions. Here, we report the function of 7 writer genes (SlMTA, SlMTB1, SlMTB2, SlMTC, SlVIR, SlFIP37, SlHAKAI) and 8 eraser genes (SlALKBH1, SlALKBH2, SlALKBH6, SlALKBH7, SlALKBH8, SlALKBH9A, SlALKBH9B, SlALKBH9C). Phylogenetic analysis reveals the evolutionary relationships among the genes of the writers and erasers, providing the conservativeness of evolution. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements suggest that writers and erasers may be involved in stress or plant hormone process. Furthermore, pharmacological experiments using 3-deazaneplanocin A (3-DA) or meclofenamic acid (MA) have demonstrated that inhibition of mA methylation or demethylation, suppresses the growth of tomato seedlings and regulates the expression of the writer and eraser genes. These findings suggesting that mA methylation dynamics are involved in the plant's response to drought stress and plant hormone. Moreover, quantitative reverse transcription further confirmed the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG), abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), gibberellic acid (GA3), and salicylic acid (SA) on the expression of writer and eraser genes. These results indicate that mA modification plays an important role in the growth of tomato seedlings and is also associated with the plant's response to drought stress and ABA, MeJA, GA3, and SA.

Starch branching enzymes (BEs) play crucial roles in determining amylopectin structure, starch components, and ultimately, starch properties and crop quality. This review begins by outlining starch biosynthesis and its relationship with starch properties and rice qualities. We summarized the current understanding of the tertiary structure, catalytic mechanism, and key functional sites of BEs, encompassing catalytic residues, substrate-binding sites, and phosphorylation sites. The regulating BEIIb for modulating amylopectin chain length distribution, starch crystalline lamellar structure, starch granule morphology, starch gelatinization resistance, and starch resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis is reviewed. The regulatory impacts of BEIIb deficiency (via frameshift mutation or expression downregulation) and amino acid substitution on rice qualities are critically discussed. Finally, we proposed some future research directions, including: high-throughput screening and identification methods for BEIIb allelic mutants exhibiting a transparency endosperm, utilizing base editing technology to create novel elite BEIIb alleles, pyramiding multiple genes to develop novel rice germplasm rich in resistant starch while maintaining elite grain quality, especially for appearance quality and eating and cooking quality, and integrating AI and machine learning to predict regulation effects. This review not only enriches the theoretical framework concerning BEIIb-mediated regulation of starch components and rice qualities but also provides some specific molecular targets within BEIIb for targeted quality improvement strategies.

AtNPR1 expression strengthens Fusarium wilt resistance in chickpea by activating SAR. Multi-omics analyses suggest CaDEAD-box20 as a candidate gene contributing to resistance through possible interaction with AtNPR1. Traditional breeding for broad-spectrum disease resistance in crops is often slow and resource-intensive, whereas genetic engineering provides a more precise and efficient alternative. To enhance resistance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt, we introduced the Arabidopsis NPR1 (AtNPR1) gene to activate systemic acquired resistance (SAR). We found that transgenic chickpea plants expressing AtNPR1 exhibited markedly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, higher expression of defense-related genes, and up to 41% greater resistance compared with wild-type (WT) plants. qRT-PCR analysis revealed a higher fungal DNA load and increased expression of virulence genes in infected WT plants relative to transgenic lines. We also observed elevated salicylic acid (SA) levels and strong induction of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes in transgenics at 2 days post-infection (dpi). Although jasmonic acid (JA) content did not differ significantly between genotypes, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment confirmed activation of JA pathway genes in both. To elucidate the molecular basis of resistance, label-free quantitative proteomics (LC-MS/MS) and metabolomics (GC-MS) analyses were performed, revealing 205 differentially expressed proteins and 38 metabolites associated with defense responses. Protein-protein interaction assays (BiFC and modeling) suggested an interaction between AtNPR1 and chickpea DEAD-box RNA helicase 20 (CaDEAD-box20). Functional validation showed that CaDEAD-box20 positively regulates resistance, as its overexpression enhanced, whereas its knockout reduced, tolerance to Fusarium wilt. Overall, we demonstrate that AtNPR1 enhances Fusarium wilt resistance in chickpea by coordinating SA- and JA-mediated defense pathways, with CaDEAD-box20 serving as a key regulatory component.

Constitutive expression of AtYUC1 in potato enhances branching and tuber production through upregulation of StARF1 and StARF5, which suppress StBRC1a expression. Branching is a crucial determinant of plant architecture, optimizing light capture, improving environmental adaptability, and enhancing crop yield. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) possess above-ground stems and modified stems. To investigate the effect of AtYUC1 in these processes, we generated transgenic potato lines constitutively expressing heterologous AtYUC1 and performed phenotypic and molecular analyses. Elevated auxin levels in the transgenic lines enhanced branching, plant height, stolon number, and above-ground biomass. The number of tubers was also significantly higher compared to wild-type plants. Molecular analysis revealed significant upregulation of StARF1 and StARF5. In addition, StBranched1a (StBRC1a) expression was significantly downregulated in these lines. Auxin treatments further confirmed concentration-dependent modulation of StBRC1a and StBRC1b expression. Further investigations demonstrated that StARF1 and StARF5 bind to the promoter region of StBRC1a, repressing its expression and thereby promoting branching. This study provides valuable insights into the hormonal regulation of branching in potatoes and underscores the potential of genetically manipulating auxin biosynthesis pathways to enhance potato yield.

Our results highlight the key role of NaMYC2a/b in regulating trypsin protease inhibitor activity after insect feeding by controlling the expression of NaPI, NaKTI2, and NaPI-like. When attacked by insect herbivores, Nicotiana attenuata plants activate jasmonate (JA) signaling, and increase trypsin protease inhibitor (TPI) activities by switching on the transcription of various protease inhibitor (PI) genes, such as NaPI and NaKTI2. However, how PI genes are regulated during insect feeding remains unclear. Here we identified a new PI, NaPI-like, that confers Spodoptera litura resistance. NaPI-like shares low sequence identity to NaPI. However, its expression could be specifically and highly induced by S. litura oral secretion (OS). TPI activity was increased by NaPI-like overexpression, and was reduced by silencing NaPI-like. Accordingly, the generalist S. litura performed better in NaPI-like-silenced plants. Further study revealed that the expression levels of NaPI, NaPI-like, and NaKTI2 were all strongly elicited by treatment with methyl JA or wounding plus S. litura oral secretion (W + OS) in wild-type (WT) plants. However, they were induced to a much lesser extent in JA-deficient irAOC plants with W + OS treatment, suggesting that these three PI genes are regulated by JA signaling. Finally, we demonstrated that co-silencing NaMYC2a and NaMYC2b significantly reduced TPI activity, resulting in decreased insect resistance in N. attenuata. EMSA and Dual-LUC assays revealed that NaMYC2a/b regulates the expression of NaPI and NaKTI directly, and NaPI-like indirectly. Our results highlight the diversity of PI genes elicited by insect, and the key role of NaMYC2a/b in regulating TPI activity after insect feeding by controlling NaPI, NaPI-like, and NaKTI2 expression. Thus, our data provide new insights into the regulation of PIs during insect feeding.

This is the first report on the identification and fine-mapping of yellow mosaic disease resistance locus, qMYMIV14.1, on chromosome 14 using integrative genomic approaches in interspecific soybean populations. Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is a major viral threat to soybean production in Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Field screening of the disease was performed at Ludhiana; a YMD hot spot and its causative agent, mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV, Begomovirus vignaradiataindiaense) was detected and validated as the causal agent through PCR and sequence analysis. Genetic assessment was conducted on 1784 F plants derived from a cross between the susceptible cultivated soybean (Glycine max cv. 'NRC 94') and a resistant wild accession (Glycine soja accession 'PI 393551'). The segregation ratio indicated that YMD resistance is controlled by four dominant genes, three of which confer resistance, while one inhibitory gene suppresses this resistance. Test of allelism performed on direct and reciprocal crosses [SL 958//JS 335/PI 393551 (BCF)] across F, F, and F generations revealed that genes in cultivated and wild soybean were non-allelic with no maternal effect. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) initially identified eight markers (Satt157, BARCSOYSSR_14_0441, BARCSOYSSR_14_0445, BARCSOYSSR_14_0448, BARCSOYSSR_14_0455, BARCSOYSSR_14_1416, BARCSOYSSR_14_1417 & BARCSOYSSR_14_1516) linked to resistance. Traditional QTL mapping revealed three novel QTLs on chromosome 14. Combined results from QTL-seq, a genome-wide association study, and QTL mapping consistently identified a major and stable locus, qMYMIV14.1, spanning the 46.55-48.70 Mb region on the long arm of chromosome 14. This is the first QTL detected from an interspecific cross which explained for 27.81-68.01% of phenotypic variance. Two candidate genes, Glyma.14G173300 and Glyma.14G173600, encoding leucine-rich repeat proteins, were identified within this locus. These findings provide valuable genomic resources for marker-assisted selection and breeding of soybean cultivars with durable YMD resistance.

Novel endophytic bacterial consortium promotes the growth of Solanum lycopersicum surviving salt stress by differentially regulating the primary and secondary metabolic pathways. Crop yield is being impacted by global warming, which threatens food security. Salinization of soil or irrigation water is becoming increasingly prevalent in most agricultural terrain, especially around the coast. In India, it is estimated that approximately 10% of additional area is getting salinized, and around 50% of the arable land would be salt-affected by the year 2050. Finding innovative techniques that enable farmers to sustain production in an increasingly saline environment is crucial given the world's population expansion and the depletion of natural resources used in agriculture. Biostimulants are naturally occurring compounds or microorganisms that are used to promote plant functions, such as nutrient absorption, nutrient utilisation efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, and the overall quality of the resulting agricultural products. In the present work, we evaluated the agronomic effectiveness of a novel formulated biostimulant consisting of four strains of endophytic bacteria isolated from the roots of mangrove plants of Sundarbans in a crop of great interest (Tomato) under controlled conditions and salt stress. Our research has shown that our product had a positive effect on the biochemical parameters in tomato plants under salt stress. The application of our biostimulant also increased osmolyte production and maintained Na/K homeostasis under salt conditions. Similarly, when exposed to salinity, the biostimulant increased the concentration of signature molecules, including primary metabolites, phenolic compounds, polyamines, and phytohormones inside the plant cell. This study enriched our body of knowledge by providing novel perspectives on the mechanism of salt resistance that endophytic microbes provide through symbiosis.

The RUBY reporter enabled the evaluation of different transgene expression constructs in lettuce, revealing that the lettuce ubiquitin promoter and terminator had strong expression that was stable over multiple generations. Nearly four decades after the first transgenic lettuce was reported, constructs for stable transgene expression remain limited. Notably, the 35S promoter from the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (35S), which drives strong expression of transgenes in several plant species, has often shown silencing and instability in lettuce. Other promoter/terminator combinations that are commonly used in plant expression vectors have not been extensively studied in lettuce. In this study, we evaluated three different expression constructs in two different horticultural types of lettuce using the non-invasive RUBY reporter, which allowed for the monitoring of transgene expression throughout the process of regeneration during tissue culture, throughout development of the primary transgenics, and in two subsequent sexual generations. The LsUBI promoter/terminator combination resulted in strong, uniform expression throughout regeneration, during growth of the primary transgenics, and in both subsequent generations. The AtUBI promoter/tRBCS combination showed slightly lower levels of expression and intermediate levels of silencing, while the 35S promoter/tHSP combination showed both initial strong expression and frequent silencing. Therefore, our data show that the LsUBI promoter/terminator combination provides strong, uniform expression that is unlikely to result in silencing and that the AtUBI promoter/tRBCS combination is an additional option for stable expression of transgenes in lettuce, especially if an intermediate expression level is desired.

Using CRISPR/Cas12a, we engineered novel soybean germplasms by knocking out GmFAD2 (GmFAD2-1A, GmFAD2-1B) and GmFAD3 (GmFAD3A, GmFAD3B) genes, yielding elevated oleic or linoleic acid content. Soybean oil contains high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are known to reduce cholesterol levels and help prevent hypertension, thereby contributing significantly to human health. However, the chemical instability of PUFAs makes them susceptible to oxidation, a process that generates harmful trans-fatty acids. To address this issue, precise modulation of fatty acid composition in soybeans becomes critically important for health applications. In this study, we employed CRISPR/Cas12a gene editing technology to selectively knock out the GmFAD2 (GmFAD2-1A, GmFAD2-1B) and GmFAD3 (GmFAD3A, GmFAD3B) genes in soybean. This approach successfully created novel soybean germplasms with distinct fatty acid profiles: one with elevated oleic acid content and another with increased linoleic acid levels. These engineered variants provide valuable options for utilizing soybean oil with optimized fatty acid compositions tailored for specific health and nutritional purposes.

JrWOX5 promotes adventitious root formation and modulates plant architecture by interacting with key developmental regulators, providing novel insights into WOX-mediated organogenesis in woody plants. WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors, a plant-specific gene family, play essential roles in regulating plant development, including stem cell maintenance and organogenesis. Among the WOX genes identified in Juglans regia, JrWOX5 exhibited significantly elevated expression during AR formation, suggesting a potential regulatory role in this process. To investigate its function, we employed a combination of bioinformatics analysis, subcellular localization, heterologous overexpression, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). The JrWOX5 protein was localized to the nucleus. Ectopic expression of JrWOX5 in transgenic poplar markedly promoted AR formation and altered plant architecture, characterized by increased lateral branching and reduced plant height. To elucidate the molecular mechanism, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was conducted, and key candidate interactors were experimentally validated. JrWOX5 was found to interact with JrLBD16, a LOB domain-containing protein; JrLHW, a transcription factor; and JrCNR8, a regulator of cell proliferation. These findings indicate that JrWOX5 interacts with developmental regulators, which may jointly affect organogenesis and plant architectural patterning. This study aims to provide a new insight into WOX-associated organogenesis in woody plants.

Exogenous GA lowers the C:N ratio, depleting starch/sucrose and suppressing flowering, while untreated control plants maintain normal C:N, ample carbohydrates, and higher floral-promoter expression, supporting floral initiation. This study elucidates the regulatory role of gibberellin-3 (GA) in nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) metabolism and its association with bud dormancy in pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Exogenous GA application completely inhibited floral bud development, maintaining dormancy, whereas untreated control plants progressed to active flowering. GA-treated plants exhibited elevated nitrogen content but reduced carbon allocation, alongside significant declines in sucrose, glucose, fructose, total sugars, and starch compared with controls. Transcriptomic profiling identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to N/C metabolism, starch/sucrose pathways, and aligning with observed trends in nitrogen, carbon and sugar level changes. Key flowering-promoting transcription factors (TFs) (e.g., PHYB, CRY, VIN3-like, TCP) and floral integrators (e.g., FY, FLK, AGL, FTIP) were downregulated under GA, while N-assimilation genes and dormancy-associated TFs (e.g., CDF) and floral inhibitors (e.g., SOC1) were upregulated. These results demonstrate that GA disrupts the metabolic transition from N-to-C utilization necessary for floral activation, likely through coordinated suppression of flowering-promoting networks and enhancement of nutrient metabolism pathways. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into GA-mediated dormancy and highlight its potential application in synchronizing pitaya cultivation cycles.

NtRPP13, a CNL-type gene suppressed by Ralstonia solanacearum, mediates a positive regulation of hypersensitive response and phytohormone-related defense genes for bacterial wilt resistance in tobacco. Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a devastating soil-borne disease that infects hundreds of plant species worldwide. To date, while effective control strategies for this pathogen remain limited, exploring resistant genes is particularly important in disease-resistant breeding. Nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins are key participants in effector-triggered immunity in plants. This study identified a novel NBS-LRR resistance gene, NtRPP13, in tobacco, which exhibited downregulation in roots of a susceptible tobacco cultivar upon R. solanacearum infection. The NtRPP13 protein contained a typical coiled-coil (CC) domain at its N-terminus and was classified into the CC-NBS-LRR category. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that NtRPP13 localizes to the plasma membrane. Additionally, exposure to phytohormones-including abscisic acid, auxin and gibberellic acid, and abiotic stressors such as drought and cold altered NtRPP13 expression. This could be attribute to the corresponding cis-acting elements in the NtRPP13 promoter. Transient overexpression of NtRPP13 triggered a hypersensitive response (HR) in Nicotiana benthamiana, while stable overexpression in transgenic tobacco plants significantly enhanced resistance to R. solanacearum, with varying resistance levels observed between different transgenic lines. Moreover, following inoculation with R. solanacearum, the transgenic plants exhibited marked upregulation of some key defense-related marker genes associated with the HR, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene signaling pathways, along with significantly elevated levels of JA and SA, compared to wild-type controls. These findings suggest that NtRPP13 contributes to tobacco defense against R. solanacearum by mediating crosstalk between multiple signaling pathways.

A novel male sterility line Nan A forms normal microspore tetrads, but defective pollen development. Dysregulated fertility/stress-related genes in anthers cause cotton male sterility. Cotton exhibits significant heterosis, characterization of genic male-sterility (GMS) genes is crucial for unraveling molecular mechanisms controlling anther and pollen development, and enables the development of biotechnology-based male-sterility systems for commercial hybrid seed production. Here, we report a combined cytological and transcription analyses of the anther of a single-gene recessive GMS line Nan A and its near-isogenic male fertile line Nan B, and further verified the functions of two male sterility-related genes. Nan A developed shorter stamen filaments, produced sterile pollens characterized by shriveled starch grains inside, delayed nexin deposition, without spines on exine surface, and failure in dehiscence. A number of anther-preferentially expressed genes were unexpectedly up-regulated in Nan A, whereas loss-of-function mutants of their homologous genes in other plant species exhibit male sterility. By contrast, a number of stress-related transcription activation protein genes are down-regulated in Nan A. Either silencing the anther specifically expressed GhCYP450 that down-regulated or overexpressing GhPHD-D that up-regulated in Nan A can convert wild-type into male sterility. Our results indicate that timely expression of anther and/or pollen developmental genes are pivotal for male fertility.

A total of 13 FtGAPDHs was identified in buckwheat and FtGAPDH7 plays a key role in heat stress response. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is an essential enzyme of the glycolytic pathway that helps in the production of energy in living cells. GAPDH is a multifunctional enzyme that performs several roles including participation in plant growth and development, enhancing resilience to biotic and abiotic stress, and safeguarding genome integrity. In the present study, a total of 13 GAPDH genes were identified across the eight chromosomes in buckwheat [Fagopyrum tataricum (Ft)], comprising eleven GAPDH genes and two GAPN genes. The cis-regulatory element analysis elucidated that the FtGAPDH genes may regulate diverse biological processes and exhibit responses against various biotic and abiotic stressors. FtGAPDH gene expression analysis was conducted in different abiotic stresses, including heat, cold, salt, and drought stress, to comprehend the functions of these genes in mediating abiotic stress responses. In cold stress, FtGAPDH8/10 and 11 showed significant upregulation by 13.6-fold, 4.8-fold, and 25.3-fold, respectively. Under drought stress, significant downregulation was observed in FtGAPDH6/8 and 9. Similarly, salt stress led to the downregulation of maximum genes, and FtGAPDH1/2/10 and 11 showed significant downregulation. Under heat stress, FtGAPDH2/3/6/7/9/10 and 11 exhibited significant upregulation, with the most pronounced increase observed in FtGAPDH7, which was upregulated up to 66-fold. Furthermore, the overexpression of FtGAPDH7 in buckwheat and in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in higher chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage levels under heat stress as compared to the wild type, indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and reduced oxidative damage, which provides evidence that this gene might be involved in thermotolerance. This study highlights the potential roles of FtGAPDH7 genes in heat stress responses, providing a foundation for their functional validation to understand the regulatory mechanism and eventually to develop heat stress-tolerant buckwheat cultivars.

BjZIP1 is a plasma membrane-localized protein. Overexpression of BjZIP1 in yeast, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Brassica juncea hairy roots confirmed its role in promoting Cd/Zn uptake. Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils significantly threatens global food security. While Brassica juncea is recognized as a promising hyperaccumulator for phytoremediation, the specific transporters mediating its metal uptake remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify BjZIP1, a plasma membrane-localized protein that functions as a transporter for cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) uptake in B. juncea. Heterologous expression of BjZIP1 in Cd-sensitive yeast mutant (Δyap1) increased intracellular accumulation of Cd and Zn by 17.8% and 25.0%, respectively, and consequently enhanced metal sensitivity. In Arabidopsis thaliana, BjZIP1 overexpression lines accumulated 31.1-58.3% more Cd and 1.68-2.48-fold higher Zn in roots under metal stress, which was accompanied by a growth inhibition phenotype. Crucially, BjZIP1-overexpressing B. juncea hairy roots accumulated 1.05-1.30-fold more Cd and 1.42-1.92-fold more Zn, alongside a concomitant exacerbation of cellular damage under Cd exposure. Collectively, our results establish BjZIP1 as a plasma membrane transporter responsible for Cd and Zn uptake in B. juncea, thereby providing a promising molecular target for genetic enhancement of phytoremediation efficiency.

Coordinated transcriptional networks orchestrate fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis in olives, with ABA signaling and specific transcription factors regulating lipid pathways that define extra-virgin olive oil quality. Health benefits of olive oil are due to the unique fatty acid (FA) profile. However, the transcriptional mechanisms regulating FA biosynthesis during drupe ripening are poorly understood. Herein, we coupled transcriptomics, targeted FA profiling and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to dissect lipid metabolism through four developmental stages of 'Koroneiki' drupes. FA quantification revealed a progressive decline in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) alongside a steady rise in monounsaturated (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), notably oleic and linoleic acids. Transcriptome analysis identified 42 core genes of FA metabolism and triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis. WGCNA revealed distinct transcriptional modules linked to progressive SFA reduction, late-stage MUFA accumulation and PUFA synthesis during drupe ripening. Expression of the saturation pathway genes progressively downregulated contrary to the desaturation pathway counterparts that determine the final oil composition leading to oleic acid prevalence. Intriguingly, ABA-biosynthesis and signaling genes were co-expressed with MUFA/PUFA modules, supporting a central role of ABA in late-stage lipid biosynthesis. Moreover, ABA-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism appeared to be fine-tuned by the contrasting expression of distinct PP2C homologs and coordinated by specific transcription factors. The expression dynamics of stearoyl-ACP desaturase SAD4 and the TAG assembly enzyme PDAT1 identify them as molecular markers of the transition from saturated to unsaturated fatty acids, leading to oleic acid enrichment during ABA-regulated olive drupe ripening. Overall, we present an integrated systems-level framework of the transcriptional networks driving olive oil biosynthesis, outlining a molecular toolbox to enhance extra virgin olive oil yield and quality.

MdPHR1 activates the antioxidant system, reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, regulates the expression of genes related to heavy metal detoxification, and reduces plant sensitivity to zinc or cadmium. In the process of the rapid development of industrial and agricultural production, the excessive accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in the soil seriously threatens the survival and development of plants and even endangers human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore new genes and mechanisms to regulate heavy metal tolerance in plants. We demonstrated that MdPHR1 (MYB-CC transcription factor) gene expression was markedly up-regulated after Zn or Cd treatment. Moreover, apple callus and transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing MdPHR1 exhibited enhanced tolerance to Zn or Cd stress. The transgenic materials exhibited enhanced activity of essential antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD), accompanied by a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, enhanced biomass production and elevated chlorophyll levels were observed in the overexpression lines. Moreover, ectopic overexpression of MdPHR1 in Arabidopsis regulated the preserving structural expression of antioxidant synthesis-related genes and heavy metal detoxification-related genes, thereby increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and promoting the efflux of Zn or Cd ions. Thus, Zn- or Cd-induced phytotoxicity was significantly mitigated. Collectively, our results demonstrate that MdPHR1 functions as a key positive regulator in plant adaptation to Zn or Cd stress. These findings provide valuable insights for molecular breeding strategies designed to improve crop tolerance to heavy metal stress.

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental concern, particularly in agricultural soils, where various MP types, including polyethylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride accumulate due to plastic mulch degradation, irrigation, and biosolid application. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of MPs on soil integrity and function, highlighting the degradation of soil structure, disruption of nutrient cycles and shifts in microbial community composition and enzymatic activity. Furthermore, MPs can be taken up by plants, with submicrometer sized particles infiltrating root tissues, triggering phytotoxic effects such as oxidative stress, impaired growth, and reduced photosynthesis. In response plants deploy tolerance mechanisms involving antioxidant defense and altered nutrient metabolism to mitigate MP-induced stress. Advanced omics technologies, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics provide valuable insights into the molecular responses of plants to MP exposure, uncovering stress responsive genes, metabolite shifts and protein alterations linked to MP toxicity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on MP contamination in agricultural soil, its impact on soil health and plant physiology, and the application of multiomics approaches to elucidate MP-induced toxicity, paving the way for sustainable strategies to mitigate MP pollution in agroecosystems.