J. Exp. Bot. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Optimizing wheat development to a range of winter climates.
Hirsz D, Dixon LE
J Exp Bot · 2026 May · PMID 41833447 · Full text
The effects of climate change are highly disruptive for reliable and sustainable crop production as crops have been regionally adapted to respond favourably to a set of regular, combined environmental cues. Notably in wh...
The effects of climate change are highly disruptive for reliable and sustainable crop production as crops have been regionally adapted to respond favourably to a set of regular, combined environmental cues. Notably in wheat, the most widely cultivated crop, the timing of floral meristem transitions and flowering is largely regulated by the combination of photoperiod and temperature cues. Identifying and understanding the key genes that regulate the physiological responses to these combined environmental cues has been important for enabling the optimal development of cultivars. Winter-grown crops are important as they provide ground cover, high biomass, and high yield potential. However, they are critically sensitive to the duration and level of cold season temperatures and the onset of the lengthening spring photoperiod. Therefore, to enable climate-robust cultivars, we need to understand and tailor the crop response to the winter environment; the crop must be resilient enough to survive but flexible enough not to require a standard winter each year. Here we detail the challenges and opportunities that are presented by the changing environmental conditions for the adaptation of winter wheat.
Rational Gene Stacking for Seed-Specific Carbon Partitioning to Simultaneously Enhance Lipid and Protein Contents in Arabidopsis.
McDonald KC, Rietzschel E, Wu L … +5 more , Jayawardhane KN, Ozga JA, Weselake RJ, Singer SD, Chen G
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41818217 · Publisher ↗
Increasing global population demands the development of oilseed crops such as canola-type Brassica napus L. and soybean varieties with high protein and oil content, despite the known negative correlation between them. We...
Increasing global population demands the development of oilseed crops such as canola-type Brassica napus L. and soybean varieties with high protein and oil content, despite the known negative correlation between them. We hypothesized that reallocating seed carbon from cellulose, a major compound of fiber, to these storage compounds via fine-tuned gene stacking could achieve this dual goal. We tested this hypothesis in Arabidopsis thaliana with a three-pronged gene stacking approach: (1) down-regulation of Arabidopsis CELLULOSE SYNTHASE 1 with RNAi (AtCESA1-RNAi) to reduce cellulose content, (2) over-expression (OE) of native B. napus DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE 1 (BnDGAT1) and a performance-enhanced variant BnDGAT1-L441P, respectively, to increase or maintain oil content, and (3) OE of protein biosynthesis-related genes, Arabidopsis AMINO ACID PERMEASE 1 (AtAAP1), ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE 1 (AtALAAT1), and ASPARAGINE SYNTHASE 1 (AtASN1), respectively, to increase seed protein content. The best line, AtCESA1-RNAi/BnDGAT1-L441P-OE/AtAAP1-OE, exhibited a relative increase of 19.5% in crude seed protein and 3.2% in total lipid content, and a 42.2% decrease in cellulose content compared to the empty vector control lines, alongside an 89% increase in seed yield. Collectively, the results demonstrate that fine-tuned gene stacking can mitigate the trade-offs between protein and oil accumulation for engineering high-value seed traits.
Genetic architecture and functional consequences of lateral root length in maize (Zea mays L.).
Guffanti F, Scheuermann D, Urbany C … +6 more , Reuscher S, Presterl T, Ouzunova M, Salvi S, Callot C, Schön CC
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41817676 · Publisher ↗
Understanding the genetic basis of root architecture and its relevance for crop productivity can contribute to the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Leveraging the phenotypic and allelic diversity of an Austria...
Understanding the genetic basis of root architecture and its relevance for crop productivity can contribute to the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Leveraging the phenotypic and allelic diversity of an Austrian maize landrace, we dissected the genetic basis of lateral root (LR) length across developmental stages. LR length, a relevant trait for breeding resource-efficient varieties, showed high heritability in our experiments. We discovered eight quantitative trait loci (QTL) for LR length at the reproductive stage R2, overlapping with four QTL at stage R6 but not with QTL detected at vegetative stage V6, suggesting that the genetic regulation of LR length might differ in vegetative and reproductive stages. We fine-mapped qlr1, the most significant QTL for LR length, to a region of 2.3 Mb containing 46 annotated genes. Based on whole-genome sequence and comparative genomics analyses we suggest a candidate gene underlying qlr1. Additionally, we examined the impact of nitrogen, phosphorus, and irrigation treatments on root and shoot development, finding that LR length positively correlates with biomass accumulation under optimal nutrient supply but not under nitrogen stress. Our work provides insights into the genetic regulation of LR length in maize and its relevance for the adaptation to diverse growing environments.
Methylthioadenosine-driven rewiring of sulfur assimilation lowers the methyl index and fertility in Arabidopsis.
Tremblay BJM, Adeel SA, Saechao M … +10 more , Dong Y, Andrianasolo E, Steele JM, Traa A, Yogadasan N, Waduwara-Jayabahu I, Katzenback BA, Hell R, Wirtz M, Moffatt BA
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41811183 · Publisher ↗
The tight coordination of sulfur metabolism and growth regulation is predicated upon nutrient availability. Central to this balancing act is the utilization of cysteine (Cys) for the formation of methionine (Met) and S-a...
The tight coordination of sulfur metabolism and growth regulation is predicated upon nutrient availability. Central to this balancing act is the utilization of cysteine (Cys) for the formation of methionine (Met) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Plants that are severely deficient in regenerating Met due to reduced methylthioadenosine (MTA) nucleosidase activity experience numerous developmental abnormalities. Here, we assess the developmental, metabolic, and regulatory effects associated with decreased MTA recycling. We show that MTA over-accumulation predominantly occurs in reproductive tissues and leads to reduced levels of Cys, Met, and SAM, as well as elevated S-adenosylhomocysteine. These disruptions of primary sulfur utilization also lead to the misregulation of energy metabolism and altered cell cycle progression. RNA-seq experiments show a general down-regulation of many developmental and reproductive genes. Targeted metabolite analyses demonstrate clear impacts on the methyl index which are reflected in the results of bisulfite-sequencing experiments including global alterations in CG gene-body methylation levels and decreases of CHG and CHH methylation in transposable elements. Our findings demonstrate the broad impacts of MTA metabolism on plant development, sulfur utilization and the maintenance of the methyl index.
Floodproof mustards: Adaptation strategies in wild Brassicaceae.
Mustroph A, Mandáková T
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41810531 · Publisher ↗
Climate change is intensifying hydrological extremes, reshaping water availability across ecosystems and threatening both agriculture and natural plant communities. While flooding tolerance has been extensively studied i...
Climate change is intensifying hydrological extremes, reshaping water availability across ecosystems and threatening both agriculture and natural plant communities. While flooding tolerance has been extensively studied in crops and model species such as Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, wild plants naturally adapted to water-rich habitats remain underexplored. This review summarizes anatomical, physiological, and molecular strategies of flooding adaptation in wild Brassicaceae, with a focus on the ecologically diverse tribe Cardamineae. We further highlight other water-associated lineages, including Arabis, Cakile, Cochlearia and Subularia, as well as the related family Limnanthaceae inhabiting seasonal wetlands. Importantly, flooding in natural habitats rarely represents a single stress factor. Besides limited gas diffusion leading to hypoxia and carbon limitation, additional constraints such as salinity, mechanical disturbance, or low temperature may occur. The taxa reviewed here exhibit convergent morphological traits, including schizogenic aerenchyma, adventitious roots, heterophylly, and growth modulation under submergence. Although whole-genome duplication is frequent among water-associated Brassicaceae, it does not universally predict flooding tolerance and is best viewed as a context-dependent modifier of adaptive potential. This review highlights that flooding adaptation in Brassicaceae has evolved through multiple evolutionary routes and underscores wild relatives as a valuable, yet underutilized, resource for improving flooding resilience in crops.
The other giant: functional significance and divergence of Type I MADS-box genes in the evolution of land plants.
Qiu Y, Köhler C
J Exp Bot · 2026 Jun · PMID 41807110 · Full text
Angiosperms represent the most abundant and diverse lineage of land plants, and their evolutionary success is closely linked to major reproductive innovations, including the origin of flowers and the embryo-nourishing en...
Angiosperms represent the most abundant and diverse lineage of land plants, and their evolutionary success is closely linked to major reproductive innovations, including the origin of flowers and the embryo-nourishing endosperm. Many of the genes underlying these innovations belong to the MADS-box transcription factor family. While the functions of MIKCC-type MADS-box genes in floral development are well established, this review focuses on the other two lineages, M-type and MIKC*-type genes, and synthesizes recent advances in the understanding of their functional roles and evolutionary histories. M-type genes are key regulators of female gametophyte and endosperm development, indicating that two hallmark features of angiosperms were promoted by distinct MADS-box gene classes. MIKC*-type genes govern pollen development and are phylogenetically more closely related to M-type genes; together, they form the plant-specific Type I clade, which primarily regulates gametophytic programmes. This contrasts with the Type II clade, comprising MIKCC-type genes that diversified to control sporophytic development. Both Type I and Type II clades originated from plant-specific duplications of ancestral MEF2-like genes. Through extensive lineage-specific expansion and diversification, these MADS-box transcription factors have played a central role in plant terrestrialization by integrating stress responses with reproductive development and the patterning of progressively complex body plans.
Enzymatic DNA demethylation enables the formation of stable epimutations in tomato.
Antunez-Sanchez J, Engelhorn J, Lopez-Gomollon S … +2 more , Meyer P, Gutierrez-Marcos J
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805974 · Publisher ↗
DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic modification in plants that regulates gene expression, silences transposable elements (TEs), and supports proper development. Traditionally, heritable epimutations in plants have...
DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic modification in plants that regulates gene expression, silences transposable elements (TEs), and supports proper development. Traditionally, heritable epimutations in plants have been generated using genetic mutants or chemical inhibitors, but these approaches often lack precision or stability. In this study, we investigated the effects of globally altering DNA methylation in tomato, a species with a large, TE-rich genome, through the ectopic expression of the catalytic domain of the human DNA demethylase TEN-ELEVEN TRANSLOCATION3 (hTET3cd). We found that TET3-mediated demethylation induced stable hypomethylation at CG and CHG sites and that these changes were inherited across multiple generations, including in non-transgenic siblings. Interestingly, demethylation in heterochromatic pericentromeric regions was often accompanied by gains in CHH methylation, suggesting the compensatory activation of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway. Differentially methylated region (DMR) analysis revealed that CG and CHG methylation loss was widespread, while CHH DMRs showed complex patterns of gain and loss, particularly near gene-rich regions and transposable elements enriched for 24-nt small RNAs. Transcriptomic analyses showed distinct gene expression profiles in both TET3 and non-transgenic progeny, with altered expression of TEs and associated genes. These findings demonstrate that enzymatic manipulation of the methylome via hTET3cd can generate stable, heritable epigenetic variation, and highlight the dynamic interplay between targeted DNA demethylation and endogenous mechanisms that act to restore epigenetic homeostasis.
Engineering ultra-low-gliadin wheat for celiac disease using an integrated RNAi, CRISPR, and doubled haploid strategy.
Marín-Sanz M, Berlanga-Torres JA, Guzmán-López MH … +4 more , Sánchez-León S, Vallés MP, Castillo AM, Barro F
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805199 · Publisher ↗
The growing prevalence of gluten-related disorders has driven the development of wheat varieties with reduced immunogenic gluten. This study aimed to integrate RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR genome editing within a d...
The growing prevalence of gluten-related disorders has driven the development of wheat varieties with reduced immunogenic gluten. This study aimed to integrate RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR genome editing within a doubled haploid (DH) platform to overcome challenges of gene redundancy and polyploidy in wheat gliadins. We generated DH lines from crosses between RNAi and CRISPR lines and elite wheat cultivars, enabling stable fixation of multiple genetic modifications in a single generation. Deep sequencing analysis of α-gliadin amplicons was conducted using a custom bioinformatics pipeline optimized for complex, repetitive gene families. Gluten protein profiles were evaluated using RP-HPLC and R5 monoclonal antibody. Several DH lines presented over 70% reduction in immunogenic epitopes in α-gliadins, with lines outperforming both parents. Editing frequency was influenced by single-guide RNA efficiency and parental background. Silencing and editing combined led to nearly depleted gliadins in some lines, often with compensatory increases in other storage proteins linked with bread-making quality, such as high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits. Kernel and specific weight traits were largely maintained. This work demonstrates that combining RNAi and CRISPR in a DH platform enables efficient, heritable reduction of immunogenic gluten, providing a viable strategy for breeding wheat lines safer for individuals with gluten-related disorders.
Tethers and Transporters: The Molecular Fingerprint of Plant ER-PM Contact Sites.
Morello-López J, Pagano-Marquez R, Jaillais Y … +1 more , Botella MA
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41796074 · Publisher ↗
Endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane contact sites (ER-PM CS) are central hubs that coordinate lipid metabolism, membrane remodelling, calcium signalling and stress responses in plant cells. This review summarizes curre...
Endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane contact sites (ER-PM CS) are central hubs that coordinate lipid metabolism, membrane remodelling, calcium signalling and stress responses in plant cells. This review summarizes current knowledge on the molecular architecture and functions of ER-PM CS, with emphasis on the three tether families (synaptotagmins/SYTs, multiple-C2-domain and transmembrane region proteins/MCTPs, and VAMP-associated protein 27/VAP27 proteins) and the lipid-transfer proteins (SMP-domain proteins and oxysterol-binding protein-related/ORPs) described to date. SYTs and MCTPs use C2 domains to read PM phosphoinositides and Ca2+ signals to dynamically modulate tethering, while VAP27s scaffold multimeric complexes via MSP-FFAT interactions and link the ER to the cytoskeleton. Lipid transfer at ER-PM CS sustain the phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle and prevents accumulation of cone-shaped lipids such as diacylglycerol (DAG) at the PM. In plants, SYT1/SYT3 form a module with diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) to clear DAG from the PM and to channel DAG into metabolism. ORP family members function as PI/PS (and sterol) exchangers and integrate contact-site lipid exchange with signalling and autophagy. ER-PM CS also intersect with endocytosis, autophagosome biogenesis, plasmodesmata function and unfolded protein response signalling, underlining their multi-functional roles in cellular homeostasis and stress adaptation.
From chill to bloom: seasonal coordination of reproductive development in peach and temperate fruit trees.
Varotto S, Giannino D, Bonghi C
J Exp Bot · 2026 May · PMID 41796073 · Full text
Seasonal temperature is the primary environmental cue controlling reproductive development in temperate fruit trees, yet its role has largely been interpreted through dormancy-based models that view winter cold as a pass...
Seasonal temperature is the primary environmental cue controlling reproductive development in temperate fruit trees, yet its role has largely been interpreted through dormancy-based models that view winter cold as a passive prerequisite for growth resumption. This review reassesses this framework by examining cold and warmth as sequential developmental signals acting during late flower development, after inflorescence meristem identity has been established. Integrating anatomical, cytological, and transcriptomic evidence, we show that reproductive development follows a biphasic thermal organization. Microsporogenesis can progress during winter under chilling temperatures in a species-dependent manner, with peach representing a clear case of cold-driven meiotic progression. In contrast, pollen maturation and female gametophyte development remain dependent on rising spring temperatures and occur within a narrow pre-bloom window across major Rosaceae fruit crops. We further discuss how this sequential thermal control is coordinated by multiple regulatory layers involving transcriptional regulation, hormonal balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and chromatin dynamics. Disruption of the sequence of cold and warm periods under recent climate variability uncouples male and female gametophyte development, leading to recurrent failure modes that compromise fertility. We conclude that winter represents an active developmental phase and that reproductive vulnerability arises primarily from altered thermal sequencing rather than cumulative temperature deficits.
Crossing the PAL crossroads: De novo gene birth in plant scent diversification and the pathogenic arms race.
Khan MSS, Lu Q, Yin Y … +4 more , Wu Y, Li J, Que Y, Guo X
J Exp Bot · 2026 Jun · PMID 41796063 · Publisher ↗
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Simultaneous overexpression of three enzymes of chloroplast metabolism fails to improve CO2 assimilation or biomass.
Lemonnier P, Wall S, Gherli H … +5 more , Moreno-Garcia B, Afamefule C, Lawson T, Raines CA, Lopez-Calcagno PE
J Exp Bot · 2026 Jun · PMID 41793249 · Full text
Ensuring an adequate food supply amidst a growing global population and climate change challenges necessitates innovative strategies to enhance crop productivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that the simultaneous...
Ensuring an adequate food supply amidst a growing global population and climate change challenges necessitates innovative strategies to enhance crop productivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that the simultaneous stimulation of different photosynthesis-related processes can increase the rate of photosynthetic carbon assimilation and plant biomass. This study evaluates an approach based on modelling aimed at simultaneously increasing photosynthetic and sink capacities in Nicotiana tabacum by overexpressing three key enzymes: sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase), fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBP aldolase), and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase). Our results showed that this strategy does not significantly improve growth or carbon assimilation in Nicotiana tabacum under the tested conditions. This suggests that while the model informing our work offers a valuable framework, its application may require adjustments based on species and environmental conditions. Future research should explore these genetic modifications in species with larger sink capacities and under a range of growth conditions to fully realize the potential of photosynthetic optimization.
Volatile defence signalling: molecular basis of herbivory-induced terpene biosynthesis and emission in purple willow leaves.
Panagoulias M, Strassburg S, Krischke M … +2 more , Mueller MJ, Lackus ND
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41789729 · Publisher ↗
Volatiles play an important role in biotic plant-environment interactions. While major research has been conducted on the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in annual herbaceous species, little comparable info...
Volatiles play an important role in biotic plant-environment interactions. While major research has been conducted on the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in annual herbaceous species, little comparable information is available about long-living plant species. This study shows that herbivory by gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars or poplar leaf beetles (Chrysomela populi) on purple willow (Salix purpurea) leaves led to the induced emission of complex volatile bouquets, including a wide range of mono- and sesquiterpenes. Further comprehensive sequence and phylogenetic analyses enabled the identification of a mid-sized terpene synthase (TPS) family within the S. purpurea genome. The heterologous overexpression of identified S. purpurea TPS candidate genes in E. coli revealed their respective activities in the formation of the monoterpene alcohol linalool, as well as the sesquiterpenes (E,E)-α-farnesene and germacrene D, among others. Moreover, the majority of the herbivore-induced terpenoid volatile bouquet of S. purpurea leaves could be reconstituted in the volatile blend of the heterologous host Nicotiana benthamiana by overexpression of the respective TPS candidate genes.
Nitrogen status defines grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) metabolic response to sulfur deficiency.
Lehr PP, Gödde V, Niehaus K … +1 more , Zörb C
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41787825 · Publisher ↗
Sulfur is an essential macronutrient, yet its role in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) physiology is poorly understood. Following reduced atmospheric sulfur deposition, sulfur fertilisation is increasingly required to preve...
Sulfur is an essential macronutrient, yet its role in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) physiology is poorly understood. Following reduced atmospheric sulfur deposition, sulfur fertilisation is increasingly required to prevent deficiencies, which are difficult to diagnose before they impair grapevine and subsequent wine quality. Therefore, the metabolic responses of grapevines to isolated and combined sulfur and nitrogen deficiencies were investigated. Using a non-targeted metabolomics and ionomics approach under controlled sulfur and nitrogen supplies, it was shown that isolated sulfur deficiency led to a massive accumulation of nitrogen rich amino acids and activation of the GABA shunt. This metabolic imbalance, and its disruptive effect on the concentration of other plant nutrients, was significantly alleviated under combined sulfur deficiency and low nitrogen, while additive effects also occurred. Sulfur deficiency uniquely induced a drastic increase in transpiration, significantly reducing intrinsic water use efficiency. We identified specific metabolic markers for each nutrient status and evaluated diagnostic indicators. The interaction between sulfur and nitrogen is important and demonstrates that adequate sulfate nutrition is essential for optimising water use efficiency and metabolic balance, suggesting nitrogen management strategies should consider sulfur availability to ensure crop resilience in a changing climate.
Sulfur in Dialogue with Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Iron: Regulatory Networks in Plant Nutrient Homeostasis.
Haque AM, Takahashi H, Rouached H
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41783933 · Publisher ↗
Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and resilience. The S-amino acids cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) are indispensable for protein synthesis and structural integrity, as well as redox homeostas...
Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and resilience. The S-amino acids cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) are indispensable for protein synthesis and structural integrity, as well as redox homeostasis and cofactor assembly. Over the past several decades, biochemical and molecular genetic studies demonstrated the core steps in sulfate (SO42-) uptake and assimilation pathways, while it has become increasingly evident that S homeostasis in plants cannot be understood in isolation. Robust and reciprocal regulatory interactions link S with phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and iron (Fe). Plants remodel membrane lipid compositions, replacing the phospholipids with sulfolipids under P deficiency. Cys/Met biosynthesis is coordinated with N metabolism. The Fe-S cluster assembly requires a balanced supply of Fe and S. These interactions are orchestrated through shared regulatory circuits and specific hub-regulatory transcription factors, including SULFUR LIMITATION 1 (SLIM1), PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1), NIN-LIKE PROTEIN 7 (NLP7), and FER-LIKE IRON DEFICIENCY-INDUCED FACTOR (FIT). Comparative studies reveal both species-specific and evolutionarily conserved regulatory networks. This review deliberately focuses on mechanistic insights into the regulatory circuits revealed from studies with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, where the genetic and molecular resolution enabled detailed dissection of the signaling and regulatory networks. This review also highlights unresolved mechanistic gaps and provides insights into systems-level understanding and potential translational approaches that can be implemented to improve crop nutrient use efficiency and stress resilience.
Genome-wide regulatory and interaction landscape underlying the functional divergence of rice AGAMOUS-like transcription factors.
Gong P, Zhao X, Jiang Y … +4 more , Liu H, Xu N, Li X, He C
J Exp Bot · 2026 Jun · PMID 41782234 · Full text
Angiosperm AGAMOUS-like (AG-like) genes are essential for flower formation. The molecular basis underlying the functions and divergence of four rice AG-like genes that belong to the AG lineage (OsMADS3 and OsMADS58) and...
Angiosperm AGAMOUS-like (AG-like) genes are essential for flower formation. The molecular basis underlying the functions and divergence of four rice AG-like genes that belong to the AG lineage (OsMADS3 and OsMADS58) and AGL11 lineage (OsMADS13 and OsMADS21) is currently poorly understood. In this study, we created AG-like in situ overexpressing (AGisOE) transgenic rice plants for each gene with AG-like fusion with GFP. The AG-like expression domains in AGisOE were found to be similar to those in the wild type, although their expression levels exhibited varying degrees of elevation. In situ overexpression of OsMADS3, OsMADS13, and OsMADS21 perturbed floral robustness and affected flowering time, male fertility, seed-setting rate, and seed-borne fungal growth in different ways. Overall, the fitness of the transgenic plants was reduced in these AGisOEs. Genome-wide characterization of the molecular interactions associated with the AG-like genes revealed that the phenotypic differences observed in the AGisOE lines were well supported by corresponding variations in their direct target genes, putative trans-acting factors, and protein-protein interaction partners. Our results provide new insights into the molecular basis underlying the functional divergence of rice AG-like duplicates in reproductive organs, and reveal the potential significance of variation in gene expression-dosage in plant evolution, the manifestation of new functions, and crop improvement.
Exploring the diversity of the CO2-concentrating mechanism in different C4 subtypes.
Baccolini C, Ishihara H, Feil R … +7 more , Perez de Souza L, Alseekh S, Walther D, Fernie AR, Stitt M, Lunn JE, Arrivault S
J Exp Bot · 2026 Jun · PMID 41777160 · Full text
C4 plants have traditionally been classified into NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) subtypes based on the predominant C4 acid decarboxylating enzyme. To...
C4 plants have traditionally been classified into NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) subtypes based on the predominant C4 acid decarboxylating enzyme. To investigate the relative contributions of malate and aspartate to C4 pathway fluxes in each subtype, we performed 13CO2 pulse-chase labelling experiments on four C4 grass species: Zea mays and Setaria viridis (NADP-ME), Panicum miliaceum (NAD-ME), and Megathyrsus maximus (PEPCK). Only a proportion (8-50%) of the total malate pool in the leaves is photosynthetically active, whereas essentially all of the aspartate pool is photosynthetically active. Estimates of metabolic fluxes indicate that approximately two-thirds of the C4 pathway flux is via malate in Z. mays and the remaining third via aspartate, while in S. viridis 50% of the flux is via malate and 50% via aspartate. In P. miliaceum and M. maximus, 91% and 85% of the flux is via aspartate and the remaining 9% and 15% via malate, respectively. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using non-radioactive 13CO2 in pulse-chase labelling experiments to study C4 photosynthesis and to detect C4 pathway fluxes in C3 plants engineered to perform C4 photosynthesis.
PELOTA at the Crossroads of Ribosome-associated quality control and Silencing: Coordinating Development, Stress, and Immunity in Plants.
Sans-Coll G, Merchante C
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41777049 · Publisher ↗
Ribosome-associated quality control (RaQC) pathways, including no-go decay (NGD) and non-stop decay (NSD), are essential for maintaining translational fidelity and regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Central to the...
Ribosome-associated quality control (RaQC) pathways, including no-go decay (NGD) and non-stop decay (NSD), are essential for maintaining translational fidelity and regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Central to these pathways is the conserved ribosome rescue factor PELOTA, which resolves stalled ribosomes and promotes the clearance of aberrant mRNAs and nascent polypeptides. While NGD and NSD have been extensively characterized in yeast and animals, our understanding of these processes in plants remains limited. Nevertheless, emerging evidence indicates that PELOTA plays a pivotal role in plant biology, contributing to key developmental processes and regulating immune responses to bacterial and viral pathogens. In this review, we provide an overview of the core NGD and NSD machinery in eukaryotes and synthesize current knowledge of these pathways in plants, highlighting both conserved mechanisms and regulatory features that appear to be plant-specific. We further discuss the roles of PELOTA in plant development and biotic stress responses and draw on insights from other eukaryotic systems to identify major gaps and open questions. By consolidating existing findings and outlining future research directions, this review aims to underscore the importance of ribosome-associated quality control in plants and aims to stimulate further investigation into this still underexplored field.
Vascular bundle plasticity and cellular heterogeneity drive asymmetric carbon partitioning in maize nodes.
Sun Y, Zhang J, Wang S … +7 more , Fu C, Wang Y, Zhao M, Li S, Shen J, Tang S, Cheng L
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774775 · Publisher ↗
Plants optimize carbon partitioning in response to heterogeneous nutrient availability to enhance resource acquisition. However, the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying this plasticity remain poorly understood...
Plants optimize carbon partitioning in response to heterogeneous nutrient availability to enhance resource acquisition. However, the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying this plasticity remain poorly understood. Here, we combined histology, fluorescent tracing, and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate how maize basal nodes mediate asymmetric carbon allocation under split-root heterogeneous phosphorus (P) supply. We found that the P-supplied side exhibited significant increases in the number and cross-sectional area of vascular bundles, particularly small vascular bundles and phloem, accompanied by elevated non-structural carbohydrate levels and enhanced photoassimilate allocation. Single-cell transcriptomics identified 13 cell types and revealed cell-type-specific transcriptional reprogramming, including upregulation of carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., incw1, invan5) and transport genes (e.g., sweet13a, stp2, stp4). Pseudotime analysis indicated a differentiation bias toward xylem parenchyma under local P supply. Additionally, downregulation of trpp14 in procambial cells suggests a potential role for trehalose-6-phosphate in regulating sink strength. Our study establishes vascular bundle plasticity and cellular functional heterogeneity as key mechanisms for spatially programmed carbon partitioning in response to P heterogeneity, providing insights for improving nutrient use efficiency in crops.
Emerging functions of cysteine synthase complexes in plants.
Sun SK, Wirtz M, Hell R
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41773520 · Publisher ↗
Cysteine biosynthesis is the entry point of reduced sulfur into plant metabolism and underlies the formation of numerous sulfur-containing compounds essential for stress adaptation. Cysteine is produced by the consecutiv...
Cysteine biosynthesis is the entry point of reduced sulfur into plant metabolism and underlies the formation of numerous sulfur-containing compounds essential for stress adaptation. Cysteine is produced by the consecutive action of serine acetyltransferase (SERAT) and O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OAS-TL), which assemble into the cysteine synthase complex (CSC). CSC formation is reversible and regulated by the cysteine precursors O-acetylserine (OAS) and sulfide, linking cysteine production to the cellular status of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Traditionally, the CSC has been hypothesized as a metabolic sensor of the carbon/nitrogen and sulfur supply for cysteine biosynthesis. However, recent studies reveal a broader role. The CSC is present in multiple subcellular compartments and shows functional diversity across plant species. Emerging evidence shows that CSC dynamics are tightly integrated with environmental signaling pathways, enabling plants to coordinate sulfur metabolism with responses to stress conditions such as high light, drought, heavy metals, and pathogen challenge. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in the characterization of SERAT and OAS-TL proteins and highlight the CSC as a regulatory hub that integrates metabolic status with stress signaling to respond to specific environmental stimuli.
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