Beyond their traditional roles as biological building blocks and energy sources, metabolites also influence gene expression, exerting direct effects on the epigenetic landscape. For example, core metabolites such as acet...Beyond their traditional roles as biological building blocks and energy sources, metabolites also influence gene expression, exerting direct effects on the epigenetic landscape. For example, core metabolites such as acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) serve as substrates or cofactors for chromatin-modifying enzymes, thereby modulating transcription through the chemical modification of histones and DNA. In addition, metabolites regulate the transcription of the genes encoding these chromatin modifiers, as well as the post-translational modifications and enzymatic activities of these proteins. Therefore, we propose that the metabolic state of a cell or organism is a dynamic and active driver of epigenomic reprogramming, adjusting gene expression in response to fluctuations in the environment.
Liu Z, Liang Z, Liao M
… +7 more, Huang Y, Ma R, Gao J, Wang W, Ni T, Erdmann PS, Jiang L
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 May · PMID 41562308
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Understanding cellular events in three dimensions (3D) is of great importance for the annotation and illustration of biological processes in a contextual way. Imaging techniques based on electron microscopy (EM), such as...Understanding cellular events in three dimensions (3D) is of great importance for the annotation and illustration of biological processes in a contextual way. Imaging techniques based on electron microscopy (EM), such as those derived from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), provide various options to visualize biological samples at scales ranging from cells to macromolecules in situ. Recently, a series of cryogenic techniques has brought EM-based imaging to a new level, enabling specimens to retain their hydrated state throughout the sample preparation and imaging steps, thereby offering a near-native visualization of cellular events. The application of dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM to biological samples has enabled high-resolution reconstructions in 3D and streamlined sample preparation workflows for downstream cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) imaging. However, applications of these technologies to plant materials are limited due to intrinsic characteristics of plant cells (e.g., non-adhesive growth, large size with a central vacuole, and the presence of cell walls). For the timely application of dual-beam FIB-SEM in three-dimensional subcellular imaging of plant materials, we have recently tested and developed three major workflows with proof-of-concept evidence using developing anthers and in vitro-cultured pollen tubes based on Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB, including (1) room-temperature FIB-SEM volume imaging, (2) cryo-lamellae preparation from cell suspension culture or high-pressure-frozen organs for cryo-ET imaging, and (3) cryo-FIB-SEM volume imaging, which will facilitate structural studies of plant materials and provide technical guidance for the broader plant cell biology research community.
Liu TJ, Wang XF, Shi DD
… +9 more, Wang ZQ, Bi GQ, Lin ZL, Huang HR, Ge XJ, Li LF, Yan HF, Zeng SH, Ning ZL
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 Mar · PMID 41560423
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A haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere genome reveals that the bird-shaped turquoise flowers of Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) arise from co-pigmentation between the anthocyanin malvin and the flavonoid saponari...A haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere genome reveals that the bird-shaped turquoise flowers of Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) arise from co-pigmentation between the anthocyanin malvin and the flavonoid saponarin, shaped by genome dynamics and geological event-associated expansions of long terminal repeat retrotransposons.
Ongoing climate warming has altered precipitation patterns and increased the frequency and intensity of climate extremes such as droughts, heatwaves, floods, and frosts. These changes have significantly influenced tree g...Ongoing climate warming has altered precipitation patterns and increased the frequency and intensity of climate extremes such as droughts, heatwaves, floods, and frosts. These changes have significantly influenced tree growth and development processes, including canopy phenology, intra-annual wood formation dynamics, and annual stem growth. However, these processes are affected by various climatic factors, and their responses are highly species-specific and vary across temporal and spatial scales. Beyond these rapid growth responses, trees may also undergo long-term genetic adaptation to climate change. This review synthesizes how canopy phenology, intra-annual wood formation dynamics, and annual stem growth respond to climate change and climate extremes. We summarize the response and adaptation of these growth processes to various climatic drivers and highlight the interactions among them in determining tree growth. Concepts and mechanisms of rapid response and heritable genetic adaptation in trees under climate change are also reviewed. We identify the key knowledge gaps in tree growth response and adaptation, such as integrative multiple organ and growth process monitoring and genetic-level studies, which are critical to further improve our understanding of tree growth to support sustainable forest management and enhance forest carbon storage under ongoing climate warming.
Yuan S, Xu C, Wang X
… +10 more, Yan W, Hua X, Zhuang Y, Wang C, Wang C, Gong Y, Wu J, Chen L, Tang X, Pan W
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 May · PMID 41560409
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Cold damage during the seedling and reproductive stages has a pronounced impact on rice development and yield. Although significant progress has been achieved in understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms u...Cold damage during the seedling and reproductive stages has a pronounced impact on rice development and yield. Although significant progress has been achieved in understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying rice responses to cold stress, the mechanisms of cold stress perception and adaptation in rice remain mostly unclear. Here, we report the functional study of a cold-responsive gene named LENG, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like pseudokinase. Gene knockout and overexpression analyses indicated that LENG positively regulates chilling tolerance in rice seedlings. LENG interacts with the plasma membrane-localized cytoplasmic protein kinase, cold-responsive protein kinase 1 (OsCRPK1). Knockout of OsCRPK1 in wild-type and leng mutants elevates rice chilling tolerance, indicating that OsCRPK1 plays a negative role and acts downstream of LENG. In vitro kinase assays revealed that OsCRPK1 is an active protein kinase, but it does not phosphorylate LENG, whereas LENG does not have a kinase activity, but it suppresses the kinase activity of OsCRPK1. In addition, LENG interferes with the interaction between OsCRPK1 and the rice 14-3-3 protein OsGF14d (G-box factor 14-3-3 homolog d), which is known to be a positive regulator of chilling tolerance. The polymorphisms in the promoter and coding region of LENG in japonica and indica rice were correlated with the differential gene expression patterns and chilling tolerance in response to chilling treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that LENG regulates rice chilling tolerance by modulating the kinase activity of OsCRPK1 and eventually the phosphorylation status of OsGF14d protein. The polymorphisms in LENG provide a selection marker for molecular breeding of rice with improved chilling tolerance.
In exo-recretohalophytes, specialized structures known as salt glands secrete excess salt ions from plant tissues, thereby maintaining intracellular ion homeostasis and sustaining normal metabolism under salt stress. Bas...In exo-recretohalophytes, specialized structures known as salt glands secrete excess salt ions from plant tissues, thereby maintaining intracellular ion homeostasis and sustaining normal metabolism under salt stress. Based on their cellular composition, salt glands can be unicellular, bicellular, or multicellular, and they originate from undifferentiated precursor cells known as multipotent epidermal stem cells. A complex regulatory network drives the division and differentiation of these cells into functional salt-secreting structures. Three hypotheses have been proposed to explain the physiological mechanisms underlying salt secretion by salt glands, each supported by experimental evidence: The osmotic mechanism, the reverse pinocytosis mechanism, and the animal-like fluid transport mechanism. This review summarizes the structural characteristics, developmental processes, salt secretion mechanisms, and potential applications of salt glands in exo-recretohalophytes, providing a foundation for future studies on salt gland biology and their utilization in developing salt-tolerant crops.
Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant and evolutionarily important components of plant genomes, yet the population-scale landscape of TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) and their regulatory roles in gene expression and...Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant and evolutionarily important components of plant genomes, yet the population-scale landscape of TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) and their regulatory roles in gene expression and trait variation remain insufficiently understood. In this study, genomic resequencing, RNA-seq, and agronomic trait data from a panel of 381 Brassica napus accessions were integrated to characterize population-level TIP dynamics and assess their impacts on gene regulation, ecotype differentiation, and phenotypic innovation. Using a developed computational pipeline, a robust pan-TE library was constructed based on 28 diverse reference genomes, and 77,603 TIP loci were profiled by mapping resequencing data from 381 accessions. Most TE insertions were found to be dispensable and weakly linked to neighboring SNPs, suggesting that they represent recent or ecotype-specific variants that serve as independent sources of regulatory and adaptive diversity in B. napus. The regulatory roles of TEs were examined through two complementary strategies (direct-effect analyses and TIP-based eQTL mapping), which together revealed that TEs modulate gene expression via both cis- and long-range trans-effects. Notably, TE-mediated trans-regulation, rarely investigated in previous studies, was found to be widespread, with trans-effects predominating and displaying strong tissue specificity, emphasizing the extensive regulatory influence of TEs on the plant transcriptome. Furthermore, selective sweep analyses identified ecotype-specific TIPs associated with adaptive divergence, particularly those contributing to semi-winter type diversification. TIP-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) revealed 1,102 candidate insertions significantly associated with key agronomic traits, including flowering time, fatty acid composition, and glucosinolate content, some of which were not detected by SNP-based analyses. This study provides the population-scale atlas of TE insertions in B. napus, uncovers their extensive regulatory roles, and demonstrates their contribution to adaptation and trait variation, offering valuable resources for breeding and functional genomics.
Zhang Y, Wang Z, Du J
… +12 more, Li J, Huang G, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Men Q, Guo M, Zhang M, Lu X, Wang C, Liu Q, Guo X, Zhao C
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 May · PMID 41552867
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Modern maize stems possess a well-developed vascular bundle system, which is critical for providing mechanical support and lodging resistance. However, characterization of the microanatomical features of vascular bundles...Modern maize stems possess a well-developed vascular bundle system, which is critical for providing mechanical support and lodging resistance. However, characterization of the microanatomical features of vascular bundles and their functional implications in stem mechanics remains challenging, primarily due to technical limitations in high-throughput microanatomical analysis of stem tissues. We thus constructed data sets consisting of over 500,000 maize stem CT images from a maize diversity panel of 383 inbred lines. We evaluated 32 microanatomical phenotypes of maize basal internodes across two environments in different years. By incorporating engineering mechanics parameters, we calculated novel characteristics of the vascular bundles, including the moment of area (MOA) and the polar moment of inertia (PMOI). Through the high-density phenotypic data set, we identified multiple stem microanatomical phenotypes strongly associated with lodging resistance, particularly of vascular bundle mechanical traits. By integrating population genetic profiling, we discovered and confirmed that ZmLSM2 (U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein specific Sm-like 2) serves as a key regulator of stem mechanical strength, might function in RNA processing and maturation within vascular stem cells, identifying novel genetic targets for improving maize lodging resistance. This approach demonstrates the value of combining advanced phenotyping with multi-omics analyses for crop improvement. These discoveries will deepen the understanding of plant stem biomechanical principles and provide novel targets for enhancing lodging resistance in crop breeding programs.
Saline-alkali stress is one of the major abiotic factors limiting crop production and affecting the ecological environment. The plasma membrane (PM) H-ATPases are involved in modulating the membrane potential in response...Saline-alkali stress is one of the major abiotic factors limiting crop production and affecting the ecological environment. The plasma membrane (PM) H-ATPases are involved in modulating the membrane potential in response to alkaline stress. The central loop (cytoplasmic domain) of the PM H-ATPase AHA2, in contrast to its well-studied C-terminal regulatory domain, remains poorly understood in terms of its regulatory function. In this study, we found that CARK1 and CARK3 (cytosolic ABA receptor kinase 1 and 3) positively modulate saline-alkali stress tolerance in Arabidopsis. Using molecular biology and biochemistry approaches, we reveal that CARK1 and CARK3 interact with and phosphorylate AHA2 at Thr469 in the central loop domain. Molecular mechanism indicates that CARK1/3-mediated phosphorylation elevates AHA2 activity through two key actions: First, by increasing Thr947 phosphorylation and promoting binding to 14-3-3 protein, and second, by releasing autoinhibitory interaction between the C-terminus and the central loop of AHA2. Functional and genetic analyses reveal that the phosphorylation-mimicking mutation AHA2 dramatically rescues hypersensitivity to alkali tolerance, H efflux, and cytosolic ROS accumulation in aha2 and cark1/3aha2 triple mutants. Collectively, our work reveals the central regulatory loop of AHA2 in response to alkali stress and reports that its activity is enhanced through Thr469 phosphorylation by CARK1/3.
Plant metabolism is increasingly being demonstrated to be partially controlled by dynamically assembled metabolons-multienzyme complexes that enable substrate channeling, insulate reactive intermediates, and permit rapid...Plant metabolism is increasingly being demonstrated to be partially controlled by dynamically assembled metabolons-multienzyme complexes that enable substrate channeling, insulate reactive intermediates, and permit rapid, low-energy flux control. Rigorous criteria are defined to distinguish true metabolons from generic assemblies, and evidence is synthesized across cyanogenic glucoside, phenylpropanoid/flavonoid, alkaloid, terpenoid, polyamine, sporopollenin, and auxin pathways. A practical workflow is presented in which AP-MS (Affinity purification mass spectrometry)/Co-IP (Co-immunoprecipitation), proximity labeling, BiFC (Bimolecular fluorescence complementation)/FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)/Split-luciferase, and isotope-dilution metabolomics are integrated to resolve composition, dynamics, and direct channeling in vivo. In enzyme-based substrate channeling engineering, design rules are distilled for membrane anchoring, modular scaffolds, compartment targeting, and inducible/optogenetic control, and limitations such as metabolic burden, stoichiometry, and leakiness are noted. An AI-assisted loop is outlined in which structure-aware generative models produce binders/interfaces that are coupled to spatial optimization of enzyme order, orientation, and distance. Together, these advances reposition metabolons as a deployable technology for programmable flux in plants, enabling safer handling of labile intermediates and higher titers of valuable natural products.
Liu Q, Wu Z, Gao Y
… +7 more, Xu Y, Zang P, Yang X, Zhao Y, Liao P, Boachon B, Kai G
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 Apr · PMID 41536053
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Gastrodia elata is an important edible and medicinal plant, and its yield is a significant factor limiting the industry's development. The number of branches produced by vegetative propagation corms (VPCs) is a limiting...Gastrodia elata is an important edible and medicinal plant, and its yield is a significant factor limiting the industry's development. The number of branches produced by vegetative propagation corms (VPCs) is a limiting factor for the yield of G. elata. Hormonal signals, along with sucrose and starch biosynthesis, are key factors potentially influencing VPC formation. However, the mechanisms underlying VPC formation in G. elata remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a member of the SWEET family, GeSWEET14, through single-stem/multi-stem (SS/MS) transcriptome screening. GeSWEET14 has the potential to increase both VPC formation and the yield of G. elata by promoting sucrose and starch biosynthesis while simultaneously reducing gastrodin biosynthesis. Further results demonstrated that the auxin increases the VPC formation by activating GeARF5-GeSWEET14 expression. In contrast, the auxin signaling inhibitor GeIAA33 was found to be upregulated in the OE-GeSWEET14 transgenic lines. GeIAA33 interacts with GeARF5 both in vivo and in vitro, attenuating its transcriptional activation of GeSWEET14 and thus establishing a feedback regulatory mechanism. Moreover, GeARF5 promotes the accumulation of sucrose and starch by binding to the promoters of GeISA3 and GeglgB1. Additionally, GeARF5 enhances gastrodin biosynthesis by binding to the promoters of GePAL1 and GeGT3-1. Collectively, these findings elucidate the role of the GeARF5/GeIAA33-GeSWEET14 module in VPC formation and secondary metabolite accumulation, providing a foundation for the genetic improvement of G. elata germplasm resources.
Sphingolipids, including ceramides, are structural membrane lipids that function in membrane trafficking and cell polarity. Very-long-chain (VLC) ceramide synthases are essential for plant growth and development, but how...Sphingolipids, including ceramides, are structural membrane lipids that function in membrane trafficking and cell polarity. Very-long-chain (VLC) ceramide synthases are essential for plant growth and development, but how VLC ceramide synthases affect developmental programs and their exact roles in plant growth remain unclear. Here, we report that two VLC ceramide synthases, LONGEVITY ASSURANCE GENE ONE HOMOLOG 1 (LOH1) and LOH3, link sphingolipid metabolism and thermomorphogenesis, that is, plant morphogenesis in response to higher temperatures. We found that high ambient temperature (28°C) induced an increase in plant VLC ceramide contents, and defects in LOH1 or LOH3 function inhibited hypocotyl elongation at this temperature. PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) potentiates the thermal sensitivity of hypocotyl morphogenesis in a LOH1- and LOH3-dependent manner, directly binding to the LOH1 and LOH3 promoters to enhance their expression. Strikingly, LOH1 and LOH3 also enhance PIF4-dependent transcriptional activation of downstream genes, including PIF4 itself, LOH1, and LOH3. Our study reveals a regulatory mechanism in which PIF4 activates the transcription of LOH1 and LOH3; in turn, LOH1 and LOH3 enhance PIF4 signaling by supporting PIF4-mediated transcriptional responses, thereby controlling plant growth in response to temperature.
Medicinal plants produce important pharmaceuticals, but these compounds are often present at low levels or only in specific tissues; in addition, many medicinal plants produce small amounts of biomass and are difficult t...Medicinal plants produce important pharmaceuticals, but these compounds are often present at low levels or only in specific tissues; in addition, many medicinal plants produce small amounts of biomass and are difficult to cultivate. Genome editing for agronomic traits and metabolic engineering holds promise for improving pharmaceutical production, and genome-editing applications in medicinal plants have expanded as genome-editing techniques have advanced. For example, genome editing has been used to regulate the production of phenolic acids and tanshinone metabolites of Salvia miltiorrhiza in medicinal plants. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on the development and applications of gene-editing tools in medicinal plants. Furthermore, we summarize the limitations of genome editing in these species and propose solutions for addressing these challenges to fully harness this technology for improving these important plants. We focus on novel technologies to enhance the regeneration rates of transgenic plants, artificial intelligence-assisted multiomics approaches for predicting editing efficiency, key components that optimize genome-editing efficacy, and the development of innovative gene-editing systems. Finally, we offer perspectives on advancing metabolic engineering strategies for medicinal plants.
Banjanac T, Milutinović M, Matekalo D
… +13 more, Popović N, Petrović L, Gašić U, Skorić M, Šiler B, Lukić T, Stupar A, Dmitrović S, Nestorović Živković J, Filipović B, Božunović J, Todorović M, Mišić D
J Integr Plant Biol
· 2026 Mar · PMID 41527298
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Numerous members of the Nepeta genus (family Lamiaceae, subfamily Nepetoideae) are medicinal herbs and sources of important bioactive compounds. Most Nepeta species produce iridoids, which are monoterpenoids that deter h...Numerous members of the Nepeta genus (family Lamiaceae, subfamily Nepetoideae) are medicinal herbs and sources of important bioactive compounds. Most Nepeta species produce iridoids, which are monoterpenoids that deter herbivores and pathogens and are potential biopesticides. In Nepeta, some species produce iridoid aglycones and glycosylated iridoids (referred to as chemotype A), some produce only glycosylated iridoids (chemotype B), and some produce neither iridoid aglycones nor glycosylated iridoids (chemotype C). Here, we show that the observed diversity in iridoids is, at least partially, attributed to evolutionary gains and losses of key biosynthetic genes. Based on reconstructed phylogenetic relationships, we propose a scenario in which partial or complete loss of the ability to synthesize iridoids with specific stereochemistries in the taxa with chemotypes B and C resulted from independent evolutionary events. These observations improve our understanding of metabolic diversity in the Nepeta genus and may inform efforts to produce specific iridoids in plants.
Anthocyanins are a critical component influencing the quality of grape. At varying concentrations, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) shows a concentration-dependent effect on the anthocyanin content in grapes. However, its molecul...Anthocyanins are a critical component influencing the quality of grape. At varying concentrations, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) shows a concentration-dependent effect on the anthocyanin content in grapes. However, its molecular mechanism is unclear. In this study, we characterized an E3 ubiquitin ligase VvPUB8 that responds to MeJA and verified its negative regulation of grape anthocyanin synthesis through overexpression and mutant vectors' transformation of "Gamay" calli. Furthermore, VvPUB8 interacted directly with the transcription factor VvbHLH93, which can positively regulated anthocyanin synthesis by activating the promoters of VvMYB15 and VvMYB5a. The stability or activity of proteins regulated by ubiquitination largely depends on the type and number of the attached ubiquitin. Here, we showed that VvPUB8 facilitated K6- and K33-linked ubiquitination of VvbHLH93, thereby promoting VvbHLH93 degradation. Exogenous MeJA accelerated VvbHLH93 protein degradation and inhibited VvMYB15 promoter activation. Consequently, the synthesis of grape anthocyanins was suppressed. This study revealed that in response MeJA, VvPUB8 regulates VvbHLH93 stability through conjugation of distinct polyubiquitin chains, thereby modulating VvMYB15 and VvMYB5a promoter activity, thus inhibiting anthocyanin synthesis.
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) enables somatic cells to develop directly into embryos. SE is a major approach of regeneration, but recalcitrance to SE has become one of the main obstacles to biotechnology-aided breeding, esp...Somatic embryogenesis (SE) enables somatic cells to develop directly into embryos. SE is a major approach of regeneration, but recalcitrance to SE has become one of the main obstacles to biotechnology-aided breeding, especially for perennial woody plants. Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in the world, and glycerol has long been used to induce SE from the embryogenic callus (EC) of citrus. Recently, we reported that CsIAA4-mediated repression of auxin signaling plays a critical role in glycerol-induced citrus SE, but the downstream signaling cascade remains to be elucidated. In this study, the HD-Zip transcription factor CsHAT14 was identified as a key downstream regulator of auxin signaling in citrus SE. CsARF5 directly promoted CsHAT14 expression, which repressed SE through suppression of critical regeneration-related genes (CsDOF3.4 and CsWOX13) and the auxin efflux gene CsPILS5. CsIAA4 interacted with CsARF5, and this interaction attenuated CsARF5-mediated transcriptional activation of CsHAT14, thereby de-repressed CsHAT14- directly suppressed genes including CsDOF3.4, and thus promoted SE. Knockdown of CsDOF3.4 resulted in downregulation of cell cycle-related genes and impaired SE. Our findings established the CsIAA4-CsARF5 and CsHAT14-CsDOF3.4 modules-mediated auxin signaling cascade that coordinates citrus SE, which advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying SE and supported improvement of regeneration efficiency in citrus biotechnology applications.
Soil salinization poses a global threat to agricultural productivity by degrading arable land. Preventing the rapid degradation of chlorophyll caused by saline-alkali stress is a crucial means to improve plant resistance...Soil salinization poses a global threat to agricultural productivity by degrading arable land. Preventing the rapid degradation of chlorophyll caused by saline-alkali stress is a crucial means to improve plant resistance and productivity. In this study, RNA sequencing identified CsPPH, a pheophytinase-encoding gene that functions as a negative regulator of both photosynthesis and saline-alkali tolerance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Saline-alkali stress rapidly induces the expression of related to APETALA2 2.12 (CsRAP2.12). Subsequently, CsRAP2.12 activates the transcription of both ethylene response factor 113-like (CsERF113L) and CsRAP2.7, while CsERF113L further transcriptionally regulates CsRAP2.7. CsERF113L promotes chlorophyll degradation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation both through direct transcriptional upregulation of CsPPH, chlorophyll b reductase (CsNYC1), and chlorophyllase 2 (CsCLH2) and by indirectly stimulating ethylene synthesis via upregulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase 6/9/10 (CsACS6/9/10), thereby impairing photosynthesis and accelerating senescence. CsRAP2.7 indirectly promotes saline-alkali stress-induced chlorophyll degradation and photosynthetic inhibition by facilitating CsERF113L-mediated transcriptional activation of CsPPH, CsCLH2, and CsACS6/9/10. Therefore, knockout of either CsRAP2.12, CsERF113L, or CsRAP2.7 significantly alleviated chlorophyll degradation and enhanced photosynthetic performance under saline-alkali stress, ultimately improving antioxidant capacity and stress tolerance. These findings reveal that the CsRAP2.12-CsERF113L/CsRAP2.7 module promotes saline-alkali stress-induced chlorophyll degradation and photosynthetic inhibition via a dual regulatory mechanism. Genetic disruption of this module significantly improves cucumber tolerance to saline-alkali stress.
Plants, as sessile organisms, continuously encounter challenges posed by fluctuating environmental conditions. To adapt to these stresses, they have developed dynamic regulatory mechanisms, including post-translational m...Plants, as sessile organisms, continuously encounter challenges posed by fluctuating environmental conditions. To adapt to these stresses, they have developed dynamic regulatory mechanisms, including post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as SUMOylation. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins are covalently attached to target proteins, resulting in alterations to their stability, localization, activity, and interactions. Over the past two decades, SUMOylation has emerged as a critical regulator of responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. This review summarizes recent advancements in the roles of SUMOylation in response to temperature stress, drought conditions, salinity stress, and pathogen attacks. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanism by which SUMOylation functions as an essential molecular switch that balances developmental processes and stress responses, and provide a perspective on future investigations in this field. By integrating current knowledge with future perspectives, this summary and perspective will deepen our understanding of the roles of PTMs in plant stress responses and offer insights for improving crop yields and resistance.
Specialized structures in medicinal plants underpin the spatial regulation of secondary metabolism, determining the biosynthesis, accumulation, and storage of pharmacologically active compounds. Specialized structures, s...Specialized structures in medicinal plants underpin the spatial regulation of secondary metabolism, determining the biosynthesis, accumulation, and storage of pharmacologically active compounds. Specialized structures, such as glandular trichomes, roots, rhizomes, laticifer, heartwood, and so on, have evolved distinct developmental programs and metabolic regulatory networks, enabling efficient synthesis, storage, and secretion of bioactive compounds. Understanding how these tissues originate, differentiate, and coordinate metabolism is essential not only for elucidating the molecular basis of plant chemical diversity but also for decoding the biosynthetic pathways of active ingredients and improving their yields through metabolic engineering. This study summarizes recent advances in elucidating the developmental and regulatory mechanisms underlying the formation and function of specialized structures in medicinal plants, including genetic, hormonal, and environmental controls. Moreover, it also highlights the technologies that have advanced the exploration of tissue-specific metabolism, development, and differentiation mechanisms. Together, this review summarizes recent progress in elucidating the types of specialized structures responsible for active compound biosynthesis and the underlying developmental mechanisms in medicinal plants, offering new perspectives for precision breeding and metabolic engineering of medicinal plants.