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Efficient and transformation-free genome editing in pepper enabled by RNA virus-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9
Chenglu Zhao, Huanhuan Lou, Qian Liu, Siqi Pei, Qiansheng Liao, Zhenghe Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (10): 2079-2082.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13741
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In vivo haploid induction in cauliflower, kale, and broccoli
Guixiang Wang, Mei Zong, Shuo Han, Hong Zhao, Mengmeng Duan, Xin Liu, Ning Guo, Fan Liu
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1823-1826.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13730
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A highly efficient soybean transformation system using GRF3-GIF1 chimeric protein
Ying Zhao, Peng Cheng, Ying Liu, Chunyan Liu, Zhenbang Hu, Dawei Xin, Xiaoxia Wu, Mingliang Yang, Qingshan Chen
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (1): 3-6.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13767
Abstract (Browse 223)  |   Save
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Salicylic acid: The roles in plant immunity and crosstalk with other hormones
Hainan Tian, Lu Xu, Xin Li, Yuelin Zhang
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (3): 773-785.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13820
Abstract (Browse 209)  |   Save
Land plants use diverse hormones to coordinate their growth, development and responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Salicylic acid (SA) is an essential hormone in plant immunity, with its levels and signaling tightly regulated to ensure a balanced immune output. Over the past three decades, molecular genetic analyses performed primarily in Arabidopsis have elucidated the biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways of key plant hormones, including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, auxin, cytokinin, brassinosteroids, and gibberellin. Crosstalk between different hormones has become a major focus in plant biology with the goal of obtaining a full picture of the plant hormone signaling network. This review highlights the roles of SA in plant immunity and summarizes our current understanding of the pairwise interactions of SA with other major plant hormones. The complexity of these interactions is discussed, with the hope of stimulating research to address existing knowledge gaps in hormone crosstalk, particularly in the context of balancing plant growth and defense.
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D53 represses rice blast resistance by directly targeting phenylalanine ammonia lyases
Haitao Ye, Qingqing Hou, Haitao Lv, Hui Shi, Duo Wang, Yujie Chen, Tangshuai Xu, Mei Wang, Min He, Junjie Yin, Xiang Lu, Yongyan Tang, Xiaobo Zhu, Lijuan Zou, Xuewei Chen, Jiayang Li, Bing Wang and Jing Wang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1827-1830.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13734
Abstract (Browse 208)  |   Save
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Big data and artificial intelligence-aided crop breeding: Progress and prospects
Wanchao Zhu, Weifu Li, Hongwei Zhang, Lin Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (3): 722-739.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13791
Abstract (Browse 202)  |   Save
The past decade has witnessed rapid developments in gene discovery, biological big data (BBD), artificial intelligence (AI)-aided technologies, and molecular breeding. These advancements are expected to accelerate crop breeding under the pressure of increasing demands for food. Here, we first summarize current breeding methods and discuss the need for new ways to support breeding efforts. Then, we review how to combine BBD and AI technologies for genetic dissection, exploring functional genes, predicting regulatory elements and functional domains, and phenotypic prediction. Finally, we propose the concept of intelligent precision design breeding (IPDB) driven by AI technology and offer ideas about how to implement IPDB. We hope that IPDB will enhance the predictability, efficiency, and cost of crop breeding compared with current technologies. As an example of IPDB, we explore the possibilities offered by CropGPT, which combines biological techniques, bioinformatics, and breeding art from breeders, and presents an open, shareable, and cooperative breeding system. IPDB provides integrated services and communication platforms for biologists, bioinformatics experts, germplasm resource specialists, breeders, dealers, and farmers, and should be well suited for future breeding.
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TaWRKY55–TaPLATZ2 module negatively regulate saline–alkali stress tolerance in wheat
Lin Wei, Xinman Ren, Lumin Qin, Rong Zhang, Minghan Cui, Guangmin Xia, Shuwei Liu
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (1): 19-34.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13793
Abstract (Browse 198)  |   Save
Saline–alkaline soils are a major environmental problem that limit plant growth and crop productivity. Plasma membrane H+-ATPases and the salt overly sensitive (SOS) signaling pathway play important roles in plant responses to saline–alkali stress. However, little is known about the functional genes and mechanisms regulating the transcription of H+-ATPases and SOS pathway genes under saline–alkali stress. In the present study, we identified that the plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (TaPLATZ2) transcription factor are involved in wheat response to saline–alkali stress by directly suppressing the expression of TaHA2/TaSOS3. The knockdown of TaPLATZ2 enhances salt and alkali stress tolerance, while overexpression of TaPLATZ2 leads to salt and alkali stress sensitivity in wheat. In addition, TaWRKY55 directly upregulated the expression of TaPLATZ2 during saline–alkali stress. Through knockdown and overexpression of TaWRKY55 in wheat, TaWRKY55 was shown to negatively modulate salt and alkali stress tolerance. Genetic analyses confirmed that TaPLATZ2 functions downstream of TaWRKY55 in response to salt and alkaline stresses. These findings provide a TaWRKY55–TaPLATZ2–TaHA2/TaSOS3 regulatory module that regulates wheat responses to saline–alkali stress.
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Rice stripe mosaic virus hijacks rice heading‐related gene to promote the overwintering of its insect vector
Siping Chen, Xinyi Zhong, Zhiyi Wang, Biao Chen, Xiuqin Huang, Sipei Xu, Xin Yang, Guohui Zhou and Tong Zhang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 2000-2016.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13722
Abstract (Browse 186)  |   Save
Rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) is an emerging pathogen which significantly reduces rice yields in the southern region of China. It is transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis, which overwinters in rice fields. Our field investigations revealed that RSMV infection causes delayed rice heading, resulting in a large number of green diseased plants remaining in winter rice fields. This creates a favorable environment for leafhoppers and viruses to overwinter, potentially contributing to the rapid spread and epidemic of the disease. Next, we explored the mechanism by which RSMV manipulates the developmental processes of the rice plant. A rice heading‐related E3 ubiquitin ligase, Heading date Associated Factor 1 (HAF1), was found to be hijacked by the RSMV‐encoded P6. The impairment of HAF1 function affects the ubiquitination and degradation of downstream proteins, HEADING DATE 1 and EARLY FLOWERING3, leading to a delay in rice heading. Our results provide new insights into the development regulation‐based molecular interactions between virus and plant, and highlights the importance of understanding virus‐vector‐plant tripartite interactions for effective disease management strategies.
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RBB1 negatively regulates rice disease resistance by modulating protein glycosylation
Bin Zhang, Mingliang Guo, Xiangpei Liu, Bintao Zhang, Yan Cui, Xinglan Cao, Zhipeng Zhang, Chuanlin Shi, Hua Wei, Huiying He, Hong Zhang, Yiwang Zhu, Xianmeng Wang, Yang Lv, Xiaoman Yu, Dandan Chen, Qiaoling Yuan, Sheng Teng, Tongjun Sun, Qian Qian, Lianguang Shang
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (2): 391-407.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13810
Abstract (Browse 182)  |   Save
Glycosylation, a prevalent post-translational modification in eukaryotic secreted and membrane-associated proteins, plays a pivotal role in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Although UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) is essential for this modification, the specific glycosylation mechanisms during plant leaf senescence and defense responses remain poorly understood. In our research, we identified a novel rice mutant named rbb1 (resistance to blast and bacterial blight1), exhibiting broad-spectrum disease resistance. This mutant phenotype results from a loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding glucosamine-6-phosphate acetyltransferase, an important enzyme in D-glucosamine 6-phosphate acetylation. The rbb1 mutant demonstrates enhanced defense responses, evident in increased resistance to rice blast and bacterial blight, along with the upregulation of defense-response genes. Various biochemical markers indicate an activated defense mechanism in the rbb1 mutant, such as elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, reduced enzyme activity and UDP-GlcNAc content, and decreased expression of N-glycan and O-glycan modifying proteins. Moreover, proteome analysis of N-glycosylation modifications reveals alterations in the N-glycosylation of several disease-resistance-related proteins, with a significant reduction in Prx4 and Prx13 in rbb1-1. Additionally, the knockout of Prx4 or Prx13 also enhances resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae). This study uncovers a novel mechanism of defense response in rice, suggesting potential targets for the development of disease-resistant varieties.
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An integrative framework reveals widespread gene flow during the early radiation of oaks and relatives in Quercoideae (Fagaceae)
Shui-Yin Liu, Ying-Ying Yang, Qin Tian, Zhi-Yun Yang, Shu-Feng Li, Paul J. Valdes, Alex Farnsworth, Heather R. Kates, Carolina M. Siniscalchi, Robert P. Guralnick, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis, Gregory W. Stull, Ryan A. Folk, Ting-Shuang Yi
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (4): 1119-1141.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13773
Abstract (Browse 180)  |   Save
Although the frequency of ancient hybridization across the Tree of Life is greater than previously thought, little work has been devoted to uncovering the extent, timeline, and geographic and ecological context of ancient hybridization. Using an expansive new dataset of nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences, we conducted a multifaceted phylogenomic investigation to identify ancient reticulation in the early evolution of oaks (Quercus). We document extensive nuclear gene tree and cytonuclear discordance among major lineages of Quercus and relatives in Quercoideae. Our analyses recovered clear signatures of gene flow against a backdrop of rampant incomplete lineage sorting, with gene flow most prevalent among major lineages of Quercus and relatives in Quercoideae during their initial radiation, dated to the Early-Middle Eocene. Ancestral reconstructions including fossils suggest ancestors of Castanea + Castanopsis, Lithocarpus, and the Old World oak clade probably co-occurred in North America and Eurasia, while the ancestors of Chrysolepis, Notholithocarpus, and the New World oak clade co-occurred in North America, offering ample opportunity for hybridization in each region. Our study shows that hybridization—perhaps in the form of ancient syngameons like those seen today—has been a common and important process throughout the evolutionary history of oaks and their relatives. Concomitantly, this study provides a methodological framework for detecting ancient hybridization in other groups.
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Ripening and rot: How ripening processes influence disease susceptibility in fleshy fruits
Shan Li, Yu Zhao, Pan Wu, Donald Grierson, Lei Gao
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1831-1863.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13739
Abstract (Browse 179)  |   Save
Fleshy fruits become more susceptible to pathogen infection when they ripen; for example, changes in cell wall properties related to softening make it easier for pathogens to infect fruits. The need for high-quality fruit has driven extensive research on improving pathogen resistance in important fruit crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). In this review, we summarize current progress in understanding how changes in fruit properties during ripening affect infection by pathogens. These changes affect physical barriers that limit pathogen entry, such as the fruit epidermis and its cuticle, along with other defenses that limit pathogen growth, such as preformed and induced defense compounds. The plant immune system also protects ripening fruit by recognizing pathogens and initiating defense responses involving reactive oxygen species production, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades, and jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, ethylene, and abscisic acid signaling. These phytohormones regulate an intricate web of transcription factors (TFs) that activate resistance mechanisms, including the expression of pathogenesis-related genes. In tomato, ripening regulators, such as RIPENING INHIBITOR and NON_RIPENING, not only regulate ripening but also influence fruit defenses against pathogens. Moreover, members of the ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) family play pivotal and distinct roles in ripening and defense, with different members being regulated by different phytohormones. We also discuss the interaction of ripening-related and defense-related TFs with the Mediator transcription complex. As the ripening processes in climacteric and non-climacteric fruits share many similarities, these processes have broad applications across fruiting crops. Further research on the individual contributions of ERFs and other TFs will inform efforts to diminish disease susceptibility in ripe fruit, satisfy the growing demand for high-quality fruit and decrease food waste and related economic losses.
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Phylotranscriptomic and ecological analyses reveal the evolution and morphological adaptation of Abies
Zhou-Rui Wei, Dan Jiao, Christian Anton Wehenkel, Xiao-Xin Wei, Xiao-Quan Wang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (12): 2664-2682.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13760
Abstract (Browse 178)  |   Save
Coniferous forests are under severe threat of the rapid anthropogenic climate warming. Abies (firs), the fourth-largest conifer genus, is a keystone component of the boreal and temperate dark-coniferous forests and harbors a remarkably large number of relict taxa. However, the uncertainty of the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of Abies significantly impedes our prediction of future dynamics and efficient conservation of firs. In this study, using 1,533 nuclear genes generated from transcriptome sequencing and a complete sampling of all widely recognized species, we have successfully reconstructed a robust phylogeny of global firs, in which four clades are strongly supported and all intersectional relationships are resolved, although phylogenetic discordance caused mainly by incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization was detected. Molecular dating and ancestral area reconstruction suggest a Northern Hemisphere high-latitude origin of Abies during the Late Cretaceous, but all extant firs diversified during the Miocene to the Pleistocene, and multiple continental and intercontinental dispersals took place in response to the late Neogene climate cooling and orogenic movements. Notably, four critically endangered firs endemic to subtropical mountains of China, including A. beshanzuensis, A. ziyuanensis, A. fanjingshanensis and A. yuanbaoshanensis from east to west, have different origins and evolutionary histories. Moreover, three hotspots of species richness, including western North America, central Japan, and the Hengduan Mountains, were identified in Abies. Elevation and precipitation, particularly precipitation of the coldest quarter, are the most significant environmental factors driving the global distribution pattern of fir species diversity. Some morphological traits are evolutionarily constrained, and those linked to elevational variation (e.g., purple cone) and cold resistance (e.g., pubescent branch and resinous bud) may have contributed to the diversification of global firs. Our study sheds new light on the spatiotemporal evolution of global firs, which will be of great help to forest management and species conservation in a warming world.
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The MYB61–STRONG2 module regulates culm diameter and lodging resistance in rice
Yong Zhao, Xianpeng Wang, Jie Gao, Muhammad Abdul Rehman Rashid, Hui Wu, Qianfeng Hu, Xingming Sun, Jinjie Li, Hongliang Zhang, Peng Xu, Qian Qian, Chao Chen, Zichao Li, Zhanying Zhang
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (2): 243-257.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13830
Abstract (Browse 178)  |   Save
Lodging reduces grain yield and quality in cereal crops. Lodging resistance is affected by the strength of the culm, which is influenced by the culm diameter, culm wall thickness, and cell wall composition. To explore the genetic architecture of culm diameter in rice (Oryza sativa), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS). We identified STRONG CULM 2 (STRONG2), which encodes the mannan synthase CSLA5, and showed that plants that overexpressed this gene had increased culm diameter and improved lodging resistance. STRONG2 appears to increase the levels of cell wall components, such as mannose and cellulose, thereby enhancing sclerenchyma development in stems. SNP14931253 in the STRONG2 promoter contributes to variation in STRONG2 expression in natural germplasms and the transcription factor MYB61 directly activates STRONG2 expression. Furthermore, STRONG2 overexpressing plants produced significantly more grains per panicle and heavier grains than the wild-type plants. These results demonstrate that the MYB61–STRONG2 module positively regulates culm diameter and lodging resistance, information that could guide breeding efforts for improved yield in rice.
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PagMYB128 regulates secondary cell wall formation by direct activation of cell wall biosynthetic genes during wood formation in poplar
Yuanyuan Hao, Fachuang Lu, Seung-Won Pyo, Min-Ha Kim, Jae-Heung Ko, Xiaojing Yan, John Ralph and Quanzi Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (8): 1658-1674.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13717
Abstract (Browse 171)  |   Save
The biosynthesis of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in plant secondary cell walls (SCWs) is regulated by a hierarchical transcriptional regulatory network. This network features orthologous transcription factors shared between poplar and Arabidopsis, highlighting a foundational similarity in their genetic regulation. However, knowledge on the discrepant behavior of the transcriptional-level molecular regulatory mechanisms between poplar and Arabidopsis remains limited. In this study, we investigated the function of PagMYB128 during wood formation and found it had broader impacts on SCW formation compared to its Arabidopsis ortholog, AtMYB103. Transgenic poplar trees overexpressing PagMYB128 exhibited significantly enhanced xylem development, with fiber cells and vessels displaying thicker walls, and an increase in the levels of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in the wood. In contrast, plants with dominant repression of PagMYB128 demonstrated the opposite phenotypes. RNA sequencing and reverse transcription – quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that PagMYB128 could activate SCW biosynthetic gene expression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation along with yeast one-hybrid, and effector–reporter assays showed this regulation was direct. Further analysis revealed that PagSND1 (SECONDARY WALL-ASSOCIATED NAC-DOMAIN PROTEIN1) directly regulates PagMYB128 but not cell wall metabolic genes, highlighting the pivotal role of PagMYB128 in the SND1-driven regulatory network for wood development, thereby creating a feedforward loop in SCW biosynthesis.
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Diverse roles of MYB transcription factors in plants
Dawei Zhang, Huapeng Zhou, Yang Zhang, Yuqing Zhao, Yiyi Zhang, Xixian Feng, Honghui Lin
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (3): 539-562.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13869
Abstract (Browse 169)  |   Save
MYB transcription factors (TFs), one of the largest TF families in plants, are involved in various plant-specific processes as the central regulators, such as in phenylpropanoid metabolism, cell cycle, formation of root hair and trichome, phytohormones responses, reproductive growth and abiotic or biotic stress responses. Here we summarized multiple roles and explained the molecular mechanisms of MYB TFs in plant development and stress adaptation. The exploration of MYB TFs contributes to a better comprehension of molecular regulation in plant development and environmental adaptability.
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The pineapple reference genome: Telomere-to-telomere assembly, manually curated annotation, and comparative analysis
Junting Feng, Wei Zhang, Chengjie Chen, Yinlong Liang, Tangxiu Li, Ya Wu, Hui Liu, Jing Wu, Wenqiu Lin, Jiawei Li, Yehua He, Junhu He, Aiping Luan
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (10): 2208-2225.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13748
Abstract (Browse 168)  |   Save
Pineapple is the third most crucial tropical fruit worldwide and available in five varieties. Genomes of different pineapple varieties have been released to date; however, none of them are complete, with all exhibiting substantial gaps and representing only two of the five pineapple varieties. This significantly hinders the advancement of pineapple breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of three varieties: a wild pineapple variety, a fiber pineapple variety, and a globally cultivated edible pineapple variety. We constructed the first gap-free reference genome (Ref) for pineapple. By consolidating multiple sources of evidence and manually revising each gene structure annotation, we identified 26,656 protein-coding genes. The BUSCO evaluation indicated a completeness of 99.2%, demonstrating the high quality of the gene structure annotations in this genome. Utilizing these resources, we identified 7,209 structural variations across the three varieties. Approximately 30.8% of pineapple genes were located within ±5 kb of structural variations, including 30 genes associated with anthocyanin synthesis. Further analysis and functional experiments demonstrated that the high expression of AcMYB528 aligns with the accumulation of anthocyanins in the leaves, both of which may be affected by a 1.9-kb insertion fragment. In addition, we developed the Ananas Genome Database, which offers data browsing, retrieval, analysis, and download functions. The construction of this database addresses the lack of pineapple genome resource databases. In summary, we acquired a seamless pineapple reference genome with high-quality gene structure annotations, providing a solid foundation for pineapple genomics and a valuable reference for pineapple breeding.
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The METHYLTRANSFERASE B–SERRATE interaction mediates the reciprocal regulation of microRNA biogenesis and RNA m6A modification
Haiyan Bai, Yanghuan Dai, Panting Fan, Yiming Zhou, Xiangying Wang, Jingjing Chen, Yuzhe Jiao, Chang Du, Zhuoxi Huang, Yuting Xie, Xiaoyu Guo, Xiaoqiang Lang, Yongqing Ling, Yizhen Deng, Qi Liu, Shengbo He, Zhonghui Zhang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (12): 2613-2631.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13770
Abstract (Browse 168)  |   Save
In eukaryotes, RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA silencing represent two critical epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. The m6A methyltransferase complex (MTC) and the microprocessor complex both undergo liquid–liquid phase separation to form nuclear membraneless organelles. Although m6A methyltransferase has been shown to positively regulate miRNA biogenesis, a mechanism of reciprocal regulation between the MTC and the microprocessor complex has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the MTC and the microprocessor complex associate with each other through the METHYLTRANSFERASE B (MTB)–SERRATE (SE) interacting module. Knockdown of MTB impaired miRNA biogenesis by diminishing microprocessor complex binding to primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and their respective MIRNA loci. Additionally, loss of SE function led to disruptions in transcriptome-wide m6A modification. Further biochemical assays and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assay indicated that SE enhances the liquid–liquid phase separation and solubility of the MTC. Moreover, the MTC exhibited enhanced retention on chromatin and diminished binding to its RNA substrates in the se mutant background. Collectively, our results reveal the substantial regulatory interplay between RNA m6A modification and miRNA biogenesis.
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GhCASPL1 regulates secondary cell wall thickening in cotton fibers by stabilizing the cellulose synthase complex on the plasma membrane
Li Zhang, Xingpeng Wen, Xin Chen, Yifan Zhou, Kun Wang, Yuxian Zhu
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (12): 2632-2647.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13777
Abstract (Browse 167)  |   Save
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers are elongated single cells that rapidly accumulate cellulose during secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening, which requires cellulose synthase complex (CSC) activity. Here, we describe the CSC-interacting factor CASPARIAN STRIP MEMBRANE DOMAIN-LIKE1 (GhCASPL1), which contributes to SCW thickening by influencing CSC stability on the plasma membrane. GhCASPL1 is preferentially expressed in fiber cells during SCW biosynthesis and encodes a MARVEL domain protein. The ghcaspl1 ghcaspl2 mutant exhibited reduced plant height and produced mature fibers with fewer natural twists, lower tensile strength, and a thinner SCW compared to the wild type. Similarly, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) caspl1 caspl2 double mutant showed a lower cellulose content and thinner cell walls in the stem vasculature than the wild type but normal plant morphology. Introducing the cotton gene GhCASPL1 successfully restored the reduced cellulose content of the Arabidopsis caspl1 caspl2 mutant. Detergent treatments, ultracentrifugation assays, and enzymatic assays showed that the CSC in the ghcaspl1 ghcaspl2 double mutant showed reduced membrane binding and decreased enzyme activity compared to the wild type. GhCASPL1 binds strongly to phosphatidic acid (PA), which is present in much higher amounts in thickening fiber cells compared to ovules and leaves. Mutating the PA-binding site in GhCASPL1 resulted in the loss of its colocalization with GhCesA8, and it failed to localize to the plasma membrane. PA may alter membrane structure to facilitate protein–protein interactions, suggesting that GhCASPL1 and PA collaboratively stabilize the CSC. Our findings shed light on CASPL functions and the molecular machinery behind SCW biosynthesis in cotton fibers.
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Rice seed germination priming by salicylic acid and the emerging role of phytohormones in anaerobic germination
Yongqi He, Jia Zhao, Zhoufei Wang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (8): 1537-1539.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13728
Abstract (Browse 166)  |   Save
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Profiling of Phakopsora pachyrhizi transcriptome revealed co-expressed virulence effectors as prospective RNA interference targets for soybean rust management
Haibing Ouyang, Guangzheng Sun, Kainan Li, Rui Wang, Xiaoyu Lv, Zhichao Zhang, Rong Zhao, Ying Wang, Haidong Shu, Haibin Jiang, Sicong Zhang, Jinbin Wu, Qi Zhang, Xi Chen, Tengfei Liu, Wenwu Ye, Yan Wang, Yuanchao Wang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (11): 2543-2560.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13772
Abstract (Browse 166)  |   Save
Soybean rust (SBR), caused by an obligate biotrophic pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a devastating disease of soybean worldwide. However, the mechanisms underlying plant invasion by P. pachyrhizi are poorly understood, which hinders the development of effective control strategies for SBR. Here we performed detailed histological characterization on the infection cycle of P. pachyrhizi in soybean and conducted a high-resolution transcriptional dissection of P. pachyrhizi during infection. This revealed P. pachyrhizi infection leads to significant changes in gene expression with 10 co-expressed gene modules, representing dramatic transcriptional shifts in metabolism and signal transduction during different stages throughout the infection cycle. Numerous genes encoding secreted protein are biphasic expressed, and are capable of inhibiting programmed cell death triggered by microbial effectors. Notably, three co-expressed P. pachyrhizi apoplastic effectors (PpAE1, PpAE2, and PpAE3) were found to suppress plant immune responses and were essential for P. pachyrhizi infection. Double-stranded RNA coupled with nanomaterials significantly inhibited SBR infection by targeting PpAE1, PpAE2, and PpAE3, and provided long-lasting protection to soybean against P. pachyrhizi. Together, this study revealed prominent changes in gene expression associated with SBR and identified P. pachyrhizi virulence effectors as promising targets of RNA interference-based soybean protection strategy against SBR.
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BTA2 regulates tiller angle and the shoot gravity response through controlling auxin content and distribution in rice
Zhen Li, Junhua Ye, Qiaoling Yuan, Mengchen Zhang, Xingyu Wang, Jing Wang, Tianyi Wang, Hongge Qian, Xinghua Wei, Yaolong Yang, Lianguang Shang and Yue Feng
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1966-1982.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13726
Abstract (Browse 162)  |   Save
Tiller angle is a key agricultural trait that establishes plant architecture, which in turn strongly affects grain yield by influencing planting density in rice. The shoot gravity response plays a crucial role in the regulation of tiller angle in rice, but the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we report the identification of the BIG TILLER ANGLE2 (BTA2), which regulates tiller angle by controlling the shoot gravity response in rice. Loss-of-function mutation of BTA2 dramatically reduced auxin content and affected auxin distribution in rice shoot base, leading to impaired gravitropism and therefore a big tiller angle. BTA2 interacted with AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7 (ARF7) to modulate rice tiller angle through the gravity signaling pathway. The BTA2 protein was highly conserved during evolution. Sequence variation in the BTA2 promoter of indica cultivars harboring a less expressed BTA2 allele caused lower BTA2 expression in shoot base and thus wide tiller angle during rice domestication. Overexpression of BTA2 significantly increased grain yield in the elite rice cultivar Huanghuazhan under appropriate dense planting conditions. Our findings thus uncovered the BTA2-ARF7 module that regulates tiller angle by mediating the shoot gravity response. Our work offers a target for genetic manipulation of plant architecture and valuable information for crop improvement by producing the ideal plant type.
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Regulation of cryptochrome-mediated blue light signaling by the ABI4–PIF4 module
Pengyu Song, Zidan Yang, Huaichang Wang, Fangfang Wan, Dingming Kang, Wenming Zheng, Zhizhong Gong, Jigang Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (11): 2412-2430.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13769
Abstract (Browse 162)  |   Save
ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE 4 (ABI4) is a pivotal transcription factor which coordinates multiple aspects of plant growth and development as well as plant responses to environmental stresses. ABI4 has been shown to be involved in regulating seedling photomorphogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that the role of ABI4 in regulating photomorphogenesis is generally regulated by sucrose, but ABI4 promotes hypocotyl elongation of Arabidopsis seedlings under blue (B) light under all tested sucrose concentrations. We further show that ABI4 physically interacts with PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4), a well-characterized growth-promoting transcription factor, and post-translationally promotes PIF4 protein accumulation under B light. Further analyses indicate that ABI4 directly interacts with the B light photoreceptors cryptochromes (CRYs) and inhibits the interactions between CRYs and PIF4, thus relieving CRY-mediated repression of PIF4 protein accumulation. In addition, while ABI4 could directly activate its own expression, CRYs enhance, whereas PIF4 inhibits, ABI4-mediated activation of the ABI4 promoter. Together, our study demonstrates that the ABI4–PIF4 module plays an important role in mediating CRY-induced B light signaling in Arabidopsis.
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A simplified SynCom based on core-helper strain interactions enhances symbiotic nitrogen fixation in soybean
Yanjun Li, Ruirui Li, Ran Liu, Junhao Shi, Xiaofan Qiu, Jianfeng Lei, Xu Zhao, Cunhu Wang, Minghai Ge, Huan Xu, Pengyao Miao, Zhongwei Li, Keke Yi, Hong Liao, Yongjia Zhong
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (6): 1582-1598.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13881
Abstract (Browse 162)  |   Save
Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are a promising tool for making full use of the beneficial functions imparted by whole bacterial consortia. However, the complexity of reconstructed SynComs often limits their application in sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, inter-strain interactions are often neglected during SynCom construction. Here, we propose a strategy for constructing a simplified and functional SynCom (sfSynCom) by using elite helper strains that significantly improve the beneficial functions of the core symbiotic strain, here Bradyrhizobium elkanii BXYD3, to sustain the growth of soybean (Glycine max). We first identified helper strains that significantly promote nodulation and nitrogen fixation in soybean mediated by BXYD3. Two of these helper strains assigned to the Pantoea taxon produce acyl homoserine lactones, which significantly enhanced the colonization and infection of soybean by BXYD3. Finally, we constructed a sfSynCom from these core and helper strains. This sfSynCom based on the core-helper strategy was more effective at promoting nodulation than inoculation with BXYD3 alone and achieved effects comparable to those of a complex elite SynCom previously constructed on the basis of potential beneficial functions between microbes and plants alone. Our results suggest that considering interactions between strains as well as those between strains and the host plant might allow construction of sfSynComs.
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Identification of new salicylic acid signaling regulators for root development and microbiota composition in plants
Xianqing Jia, Zhuang Xu, Lei Xu, Juan P. Frene, Mathieu Gonin, Long Wang, Jiahong Yu, Gabriel Castrillo, Keke Yi
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (2): 345-354.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13814
Abstract (Browse 157)  |   Save
Besides playing a crucial role in plant immunity via the nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related (NPR) proteins, increasing evidence shows that salicylic acid (SA) can also regulate plant root growth. However, the transcriptional regulatory network controlling this SA response in plant roots is still unclear. Here, we found that NPR1 and WRKY45, the central regulators of SA response in rice leaves, control only a reduced sector of the root SA signaling network. We demonstrated that SA attenuates root growth via a novel NPR1/WRKY45-independent pathway. Furthermore, using regulatory network analysis and mutant characterization, we identified a set of new NPR1/WRKY45-independent regulators that conservedly modulate the root development and root-associated microbiota composition in both Oryza sativa (monocot) and Arabidopsis thaliana (dicot) in response to SA. Our results established the SA signaling as a central element regulating plant root functions under ecologically relevant conditions. These results provide new insights to understand how regulatory networks control plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.
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Simultaneous mutations in ITPK4 and MRP5 genes result in a low phytic acid level without compromising salt tolerance in Arabidopsis
Yuying Ren, Mengdan Jiang, Jian-Kang Zhu, Wenkun Zhou, Chunzhao Zhao
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (10): 2109-2125.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13745
Abstract (Browse 156)  |   Save
Generation of crops with low phytic acid (myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (InsP6)) is an important breeding direction, but such plants often display less desirable agronomic traits. In this study, through ethyl methanesulfonate-mediated mutagenesis, we found that inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate 5/6-kinase 4 (ITPK4), which is essential for producing InsP6, is a critical regulator of salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Loss of function of ITPK4 gene leads to reduced root elongation under salt stress, which is primarily because of decreased root meristem length and reduced meristematic cell number. The itpk4 mutation also results in increased root hair density and increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species during salt exposure. RNA sequencing assay reveals that several auxin-responsive genes are down-regulated in the itpk4-1 mutant compared to the wild-type. Consistently, the itpk4-1 mutant exhibits a reduced auxin level in the root tip and displays compromised gravity response, indicating that ITPK4 is involved in the regulation of the auxin signaling pathway. Through suppressor screening, it was found that mutation of Multidrug Resistance Protein 5 (MRP5)5 gene, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter required for transporting InsP6 from the cytoplasm into the vacuole, fully rescues the salt hypersensitivity of the itpk4-1 mutant, but in the itpk4-1 mrp5 double mutant, InsP6 remains at a very low level. These results imply that InsP6 homeostasis rather than its overall amount is beneficial for stress tolerance in plants. Collectively, this study uncovers a pair of gene mutations that confer low InsP6 content without impacting stress tolerance, which offers a new strategy for creating “low-phytate” crops.
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More than flowering: CONSTANS plays multifaceted roles in plant development and stress responses
Bin Yu, Yilong Hu, Xingliang Hou
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (3): 425-439.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13798
Abstract (Browse 155)  |   Save
Plants have evolved a remarkable ability to sense and respond to changes in photoperiod, allowing adjustments to their growth and development based on seasonal and environmental cues. The floral transition is a pivotal stage in plant growth and development, signifying a shift from vegetative to reproductive growth. CONSTANS (CO), a central photoperiodic response factor conserved in various plants, mediates day-length signals to control the floral transition, although its mechanisms of action vary among plants with different day-length requirements. In addition, recent studies have uncovered roles for CO in organ development and stress responses. These pleiotropic roles in model plants and crops make CO a potentially fruitful target for molecular breeding aimed at modifying crop agronomic traits. This review systematically traces research on CO, from its discovery and functional studies to the exploration of its regulatory mechanisms and newly discovered functions, providing important insight into the roles of CO and laying a foundation for future research.
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Recognition of a salivary effector by the TNL protein RCSP promotes effector-triggered immunity and systemic resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana
Weiwei Rao, Tingting Ma, Jiayuan Cao, Yajun Zhang, Sisi Chen, Shu Lin, Xiaoxiao Liu, Guangcun He, Li Wan
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (1): 150-168.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13800
Abstract (Browse 155)  |   Save
Insects secret chemosensory proteins (CSPs) into plant cells as potential effector proteins during feeding. The molecular mechanisms underlying how CSPs activate plant immunity remain largely unknown. We show that CSPs from six distinct insect orders induce dwarfism when overexpressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of Nilaparvata lugens CSP11 (NlCSP11) triggered cell death and plant dwarfism, both of which were dependent on ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1), N requirement gene 1 (NRG1) and SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE 101 (SAG101), indicating the activation of effector-triggered immunity (ETI) in N. benthamiana. Overexpression of NlCSP11 led to stronger systemic resistance against Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 lacking effector HopQ1-1 and tobacco mosaic virus, and induced higher accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) in uninfiltrated leaves compared to another effector XopQ that is recognized by a Toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptor (TNL) called ROQ1 in N. benthamiana. Consistently, NlCSP11-induced dwarfism and systemic resistance, but not cell death, were abolished in N. benthamiana transgenic line expressing the SA-degrading enzyme NahG. Through large-scale virus-induced gene silencing screening, we identified a TNL protein that mediates the recognition of CSPs (RCSP), including aphid effector MP10 that triggers resistance against aphids in N. benthamiana. Co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and AlphaFold2 prediction unveiled an interaction between NlCSP11 and RCSP. Interestingly, RCSP does not contain the conserved catalytic glutamic acid in the TIR domain, which is required for TNL function. Our findings point to enhanced ETI and systemic resistance by a TNL protein via hyperactivation of the SA pathway. Moreover, RCSP is the first TNL identified to recognize an insect effector.
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The OsMAPK5–OsWRKY72 module negatively regulates grain length and grain weight in rice
Fuxiang Wang, Jiexin Lin, Fan Yang, Xiaofeng Chen, Yiyi Liu, Lingnan Yan, Jing Chen, Zonghua Wang, Huaan Xie, Jianfu Zhang, Huibin Xu, Songbiao Chen
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (12): 2648-2663.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13786
Abstract (Browse 154)  |   Save
Grain size and grain weight are important determinants for grain yield. In this study, we identify a novel OsMAPK5–OsWRKY72 module that negatively regulates grain length and grain weight in rice. We found that loss-of-function of OsMAPK5 leads to larger cell size of the rice spikelet hulls and a significant increase in both grain length and grain weight in an indica variety Minghui 86 (MH86). OsMAPK5 interacts with OsMAPKK3/4/5 and OsWRKY72 and phosphorylates OsWRKY72 at T86 and S88. Similar to the osmapk5 MH86 mutants, the oswrky72 knockout MH86 mutants exhibited larger size of spikelet hull cells and increased grain length and grain weight, whereas the OsWRKY72-overexpression MH86 plants showed opposite phenotypes. OsWRKY72 targets the W-box motifs in the promoter of OsARF6, an auxin response factor involved in auxin signaling. Dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that OsWRKY72 activates OsARF6 expression. The activation effect of the phosphorylation-mimicking OsWRKY72T86D/S88D on OsARF6 expression was significantly enhanced, whereas the effects of the OsWRKY72 phosphorylation-null mutants were significantly reduced. In addition, auxin levels in young panicles of the osmapk5 and oswrky72 mutants were significantly higher than that in the wild-type MH86. Collectively, our study uncovered novel connections of the OsMAPKK3/4/5-OsMAPK5-mediated MAPK signaling, OsWRKY72-mediated transcription regulation, and OsARF6-mediated auxin signaling pathways in regulating grain length and grain weight in an indica-type rice, providing promising targets for molecular breeding of rice varieties with high yield and quality.
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Engineering of photorespiration-dependent glycine betaine biosynthesis improves photosynthetic carbon fixation and panicle architecture in rice
Benqi Mo, Xifeng Chen, Junjie Yang, Luyao Chen, Weidong Guo, Shuofan Wu, Xinxiang Peng, Zhisheng Zhang
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (4): 979-992.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13874
Abstract (Browse 154)  |   Save
In C3 plants, photorespiration is an energy expensive pathway that competes with photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and releases CO2 into the atmosphere, potentially reducing C3 plant productivity by 20%-50%. Consequently, reducing the flux through photorespiration has been recognized as a major way to improve C3 crop photosynthetic carbon fixation and productivity. While current research efforts in engineering photorespiration are mainly based on the modification of chloroplast glycolate metabolic steps, only limited studies have explored optimizations in other photorespiratory metabolic steps. Here, we engineered an imGS bypass within the rice mitochondria to bypass the photorespiratory glycine toward glycine betaine, thereby, improving the photosynthetic carbon fixation in rice. The imGS transgenic rice plants exhibited significant accumulation of glycine betaine, reduced photorespiration, and elevated photosynthesis and photosynthate levels. Additionally, the introduction of imGS bypass into rice leads to an increase in the number of branches and grains per panicle which may be related to cytokinin and gibberellin signaling pathways. Taken together, these results suggest diverting mitochondrial glycine from photorespiration toward glycine betaine synthesis can effectively enhance carbon fixation and panicle architecture in rice, offering a promising strategy for developing functional mitochondrial photorespiratory bypasses with the potential to enhance plant productivity.
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The PtobZIP55–PtoMYB170 module regulates the wood anatomical and chemical properties of Populus tomentosa in acclimation to low nitrogen availability
Jiangting Wu, Shurong Deng, Yang Wang, Chenlin Jia, Jia Wei, Mengyan Zhou, Dongyue Zhu, Zhuorong Li, Payam Fayyaz, Zhi‐Bin Luo, Jing Zhou, Wenguang Shi
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (1): 117-134.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13804
Abstract (Browse 153)  |   Save
Poplar plantations are often established on nitrogen-poor land, and poplar growth and wood formation are constrained by low nitrogen (LN) availability. However, the molecular mechanisms by which specific genes regulate wood formation in acclimation to LN availability remain unclear. Here, we report a previously unrecognized module, basic region/leucine zipper 55 (PtobZIP55)–PtoMYB170, which regulates the wood formation of Populus tomentosa in acclimation to LN availability. PtobZIP55 was highly expressed in poplar wood and induced by LN. Altered wood anatomical properties and increased lignification were detected in PtobZIP55-overexpressing poplars, whereas the opposite results were detected in PtobZIP55-knockout poplars. Molecular and transgenic analyses revealed that PtobZIP55 directly binds to the promoter sequence of PtoMYB170 to activate its transcription. The phenotypes of PtoMYB170 transgenic poplars were similar to those of PtobZIP55 transgenic poplars under LN conditions. Further molecular analyses revealed that PtoMYB170 directly bound the promoter sequences of lignin biosynthetic genes to activate their transcription to increase lignin concentrations in LN-treated poplar wood. These results suggest that PtobZIP55 activates PtoMYB170 transcription, which in turn positively regulates lignin biosynthetic genes, increasing lignin deposition in the wood of P. tomentosa in the context of acclimation to LN availability.
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Duplication and sub-functionalization of flavonoid biosynthesis genes plays important role in Leguminosae root nodule symbiosis evolution
Tengfei Liu, Haiyue Liu, Wenfei Xian, Zhi Liu, Yaqin Yuan, Jingwei Fan, Shuaiying Xiang, Xia Yang, Yucheng Liu, Shulin Liu, Min Zhang, Yanting Shen, Yuannian Jiao, Shifeng Cheng, Jeff J. Doyle, Fang Xie, Jiayang Li and Zhixi Tian
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (10): 2191-2207.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13743
Abstract (Browse 152)  |   Save
Gene innovation plays an essential role in trait evolution. Rhizobial symbioses, the most important N2-fixing agent in agricultural systems that exists mainly in Leguminosae, is one of the most attractive evolution events. However, the gene innovations underlying Leguminosae root nodule symbiosis (RNS) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the gene gain event in Leguminosae RNS evolution through comprehensive phylogenomic analyses. We revealed that Leguminosae-gain genes were acquired by gene duplication and underwent a strong purifying selection. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that the innovated genes were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, particular downstream of chalcone synthase (CHS). Among them, Leguminosae-gain type Ⅱ chalcone isomerase (CHI) could be further divided into CHI1A and CHI1B clades, which resulted from the products of tandem duplication. Furthermore, the duplicated CHI genes exhibited exon–intron structural divergences evolved through exon/intron gain/loss and insertion/deletion. Knocking down CHI1B significantly reduced nodulation in Glycine max (soybean) and Medicago truncatula; whereas, knocking down its duplication gene CHI1A had no effect on nodulation. Therefore, Leguminosae-gain type Ⅱ CHI participated in RNS and the duplicated CHI1A and CHI1B genes exhibited RNS functional divergence. This study provides functional insights into Leguminosae-gain genetic innovation and sub-functionalization after gene duplication that contribute to the evolution and adaptation of RNS in Leguminosae.
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Coordination of miR319–TaPCF8 with TaSPL14 orchestrates auxin signaling and biosynthesis to regulate plant height in common wheat
Pingan Hao, Chao Jian, Chenyang Hao, Shujuan Liu, Jian Hou, Hongxia Liu, Haixia Liu, Xueyong Zhang, Huixian Zhao and Tian Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (11): 2362-2378.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13759
Abstract (Browse 151)  |   Save
Wheat culms, comprising four to six internodes, are critically involved in determining plant height and lodging resistance, essential factors for field performance and regional adaptability. This study revealed the regulatory function of miR319 in common wheat plant height. Repression of tae-miR319 through short tandem target mimics (STTM) caused an increased plant height, while overexpression (OE) of tae-miR319 had the opposite effect. Overexpressing a miR319-resistant target gene TaPCF8 (rTaPCF8), increased plant height. TaPCF8 acted as a transcription repressor of downstream genes TaIAAs, which interact physically with TaSPL14. The significant differences of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) contents indicate the involvement of auxin pathway in miR319-mediated plant height regulation. Finally, we identified two TaPCF8 haplotypes in global wheat collections. TaPCF8-5A-Hap2, as per association and evolution examinations, was subjected to strong substantial selection throughout wheat breeding. This haplotype, associated with shorter plant height, aligns with global breeding requirements. Consequently, in high-yield wheat breeding, we proposed a potential molecular marker for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Our findings offer fresh perspectives into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the miR319–TaPCF8 module's regulation of plant height by orchestrating auxin signaling and biosynthesis in wheat.
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BBX9 forms feedback loops with PIFs and BBX21 to promote photomorphogenic development
Zhaoqing Song, Wanying Ye, Qing Jiang, Huan Lin, Qing Hu, Yuntao Xiao, Yeting Bian, Fengyue Zhao, Jie Dong and Dongqing Xu
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1934-1952.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13746
Abstract (Browse 150)  |   Save
Light is one of the most essential environmental factors that tightly and precisely control various physiological and developmental processes in plants. B-box CONTAINING PROTEINs (BBXs) play central roles in the regulation of light-dependent development. In this study, we report that BBX9 is a positive regulator of light signaling. BBX9 interacts with the red light photoreceptor PHYTOCHROME B (phyB) and transcription factors PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs). phyB promotes the stabilization of BBX9 in light, while BBX9 inhibits the transcriptional activation activity of PIFs. In turn, PIFs directly bind to the promoter of BBX9 to repress its transcription. On the other hand, BBX9 associates with the positive regulator of light signaling, BBX21, and enhances its biochemical activity. BBX21 associates with the promoter regions of BBX9 and transcriptionally up-regulates its expression. Collectively, this study unveiled that BBX9 forms a negative feedback loop with PIFs and a positive one with BBX21 to ensure that plants adapt to fluctuating light conditions.
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A PpEIL2/3–PpNAC1–PpWRKY14 module regulates fruit ripening by modulating ethylene production in peach
Yudi Liu, Wen Xiao, Liao Liao, Beibei Zheng, Yunpeng Cao, Yun Zhao, Ruo-Xi Zhang, Yuepeng Han
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (11): 2470-2489.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13761
Abstract (Browse 149)  |   Save
WRKY transcription factors play key roles in plant resistance to various stresses, but their roles in fruit ripening remain largely unknown. Here, we report a WRKY gene PpWRKY14 involved in the regulation of fruit ripening in peach. The expression of PpWRKY14 showed an increasing trend throughout fruit development. PpWRKY14 was a target gene of PpNAC1, a master regulator of peach fruit ripening. PpWRKY14 could directly bind to the promoters of PpACS1 and PpACO1 to induce their expression, and this induction was greatly enhanced when PpWRKY14 formed a dimer with PpNAC1. However, the transcription of PpNAC1 could be directly suppressed by two EIN3/EIL1 genes, PpEIL2 and PpEIL3. The PpEIL2/3 genes were highly expressed at the early stages of fruit development, but their expression was programmed to decrease significantly during the ripening stage, thus derepressing the expression of PpNAC1. These results suggested a PpEIL2/3–PpNAC1–PpWRKY14 module that regulates fruit ripening by modulating ethylene production in peach. Our results provided an insight into the regulatory roles of EIN3/EIL1 and WRKY genes in fruit ripening.
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A novel C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor, CitZAT4, regulates ethylene-induced orange coloration in Satsuma mandarin flavedo (Citrus unshiu Marc.)
Quan Sun, Zhengchen He, Junli Ye, Ranran Wei, Di Feng, Yingzi Zhang, Lijun Chai, Yunjiang Cheng, Qiang Xu, Xiuxin Deng
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (2): 294-310.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13778
Abstract (Browse 149)  |   Save
Ethylene treatment promotes orange coloration in the flavedo of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit, but the corresponding regulatory mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we identified a C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor, CitZAT4, the expression of which was markedly induced by ethylene. CitZAT4 directly binds to the CitPSY promoter and activates its expression, thereby promoting carotenoid biosynthesis. Transient expression in Satsuma mandarin fruit and stable transformation of citrus calli showed that overexpressing of CitZAT4 inhibited CitLCYE expression, thus inhibiting α-branch yellow carotenoid (lutein) biosynthesis. CitZAT4 overexpression also enhanced the transcript levels of CitLCYB, CitHYD, and CitNCED2, promoting β-branch orange carotenoid accumulation. Molecular biochemical assays, including yeast one-hybrid (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR), and luciferase (LUC) assays, demonstrated that CitZAT4 directly binds to the promoters of its target genes and regulates their expression. An ethylene response factor, CitERF061, which is induced by ethylene signaling, was found to directly bound to the CitZAT4 promoter and induced its expression, thus positively regulating CitZAT4-mediated orange coloration in citrus fruit. Together, our findings reveal that a CitZAT4-mediated transcriptional cascade is driven by ethylene via CitERF061, linking ethylene signaling to carotenoid metabolism in promoting orange coloration in the flavedo of Satsuma mandarin fruit. The molecular regulatory mechanism revealed here represents a significant step toward developing strategies for improving the quality and economic efficiency of citrus crops.
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Molecular breeding of tomato: Advances and challenges
Minmin Du, Chuanlong Sun, Lei Deng, Ming Zhou, Junming Li, Yongchen Du, Zhibiao Ye, Sanwen Huang, Tianlai Li, Jingquan Yu, Chang-Bao Li, Chuanyou Li
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (3): 669-721.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13879
Abstract (Browse 149)  |   Save
The modern cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was domesticated from Solanum pimpinellifolium native to the Andes Mountains of South America through a “two-step domestication” process. It was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and later widely cultivated worldwide. Since the late 19th century, breeders, guided by modern genetics, breeding science, and statistical theory, have improved tomatoes into an important fruit and vegetable crop that serves both fresh consumption and processing needs, satisfying diverse consumer demands. Over the past three decades, advancements in modern crop molecular breeding technologies, represented by molecular marker technology, genome sequencing, and genome editing, have significantly transformed tomato breeding paradigms. This article reviews the research progress in the field of tomato molecular breeding, encompassing genome sequencing of germplasm resources, the identification of functional genes for agronomic traits, and the development of key molecular breeding technologies. Based on these advancements, we also discuss the major challenges and perspectives in this field.
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Sphingolipid inhibitor response gene GhMYB86 controls fiber elongation by regulating microtubule arrangement
Fan Xu, Guiming Li, Shengyang He, Zhifeng Zeng, Qiaoling Wang, Hongju Zhang, Xingying Yan, Yulin Hu, Huidan Tian, Ming Luo
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1898-1914.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13740
Abstract (Browse 147)  |   Save
Although the cell membrane and cytoskeleton play essential roles in cellular morphogenesis, the interaction between the membrane and cytoskeleton is poorly understood. Cotton fibers are extremely elongated single cells, which makes them an ideal model for studying cell development. Here, we used the sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor, fumonisin B1 (FB1), and found that it effectively suppressed the myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor GhMYB86, thereby negatively affecting fiber elongation. A direct target of GhMYB86 is GhTUB7, which encodes the tubulin protein, the major component of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Interestingly, both the overexpression of GhMYB86 and GhTUB7 caused an ectopic microtubule arrangement at the fiber tips, and then leading to shortened fibers. Moreover, we found that GhMBE2 interacted with GhMYB86 and that FB1 and reactive oxygen species induced its transport into the nucleus, thereby enhancing the promotion of GhTUB7 by GhMYB86. Overall, we established a GhMBE2-GhMYB86-GhTUB7 regulation module for fiber elongation and revealed that membrane sphingolipids affect fiber elongation by altering microtubule arrangement.
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Green light mediates atypical photomorphogenesis by dual modulation of Arabidopsis phytochromes B and A
Miqi Xu, Yi-Yuan Wang, Yujie Wu, Xiuhong Zhou, Ziyan Shan, Kunying Tao, Kaiqiang Qian, Xuncheng Wang, Jian Li, Qingqing Wu, Xing Wang Deng, Jun-Jie Ling
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (9): 1915-1933.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13742
Abstract (Browse 146)  |   Save
Although green light (GL) is located in the middle of the visible light spectrum and regulates a series of plant developmental processes, the mechanism by which it regulates seedling development is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that GL promotes atypical photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana via the dual regulations of phytochrome B (phyB) and phyA. Although the Pr-to-Pfr conversion rates of phyB and phyA under GL were lower than those under red light (RL) in a fluence rate-dependent and time-dependent manner, long-term treatment with GL induced high Pfr/Pr ratios of phyB and phyA. Moreover, GL induced the formation of numerous small phyB photobodies in the nucleus, resulting in atypical photomorphogenesis, with smaller cotyledon opening angles and longer hypocotyls in seedlings compared to RL. The abundance of phyA significantly decreased after short- and long-term GL treatments. We determined that four major PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs: PIF1, PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5) act downstream of phyB in GL-mediated cotyledon opening. In addition, GL plays opposite roles in regulating different PIFs. For example, under continuous GL, the protein levels of all PIFs decreased, whereas the transcript levels of PIF4 and PIF5 strongly increased compared with dark treatment. Taken together, our work provides a detailed molecular framework for understanding the role of the antagonistic regulations of phyB and phyA in GL-mediated atypical photomorphogenesis.
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Haplotype-resolved genome of a heterozygous wild peach reveals the PdaWRKY4-PdaCYP716A1 module mediates resistance to aphids by regulating betulin biosynthesis
Jun-Xiu Wang, Yong Li, Xin-Wei Wang, Ke Cao, Chang-Wen Chen, Jin-Long Wu, Wei-Chao Fang, Geng-Rui Zhu, Xue-Jia Chen, Dan-Dan Guo, Jiao Wang, Ya-Lin Zhao, Jia-Qi Fan, Su-Ning Liu, Wen-Qing Li, Hang-Ling Bie, Qiang Xu, Li-Rong Wang
J Integr Plant Biol 2024, 66 (12): 2716-2735.  
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13782
Abstract (Browse 145)  |   Save
Wild species of domesticated crops provide valuable genetic resources for resistance breeding. Prunus davidiana, a wild relative of peach with high heterozygosity and diverse stress tolerance, exhibits high resistance against aphids. However, the highly heterozygous genome of P. davidiana makes determining the underlying factors influencing resistance traits challenging. Here, we present the 501.7 Mb haplotype-resolved genome assembly of P. davidiana. Genomic comparisons of the two haplotypes revealed 18,152 structural variations, 2,699 Pda_hap1-specific and 2,702 Pda_hap2-specific genes, and 1,118 allele-specific expressed genes. Genome composition indicated 4.1% of the P. davidiana genome was non-peach origin, out of which 94.5% was derived from almond. Based on the haplotype genome, the aphid resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) was mapped at the end of Pda03. From the aphid resistance QTL, PdaWRKY4 was identified as the major dominant gene, with a 9-bp deletion in its promoter of the resistant phenotype. Specifically, PdaWRKY4 regulates aphid resistance by promoting PdaCYP716A1-mediated anti-aphid metabolite betulin biosynthesis. Moreover, we employed a genome design to develop a breeding workflow for rapidly and precisely producing aphid-resistant peaches. In conclusion, this study identifies a novel aphid resistance gene and provides insights into genome design for the development of resistant fruit cultivars.
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Chloroplast protein translocation complexes and their regulation
Jiale Xing, Junting Pan, Wenqiang Yang
J Integr Plant Biol 2025, 67 (4): 912-925.  
doi: 10.1111/jipb.13875
Abstract (Browse 145)  |   Save
Chloroplasts, refined through more than a billion years of evolution in plants and algae, act as highly efficient and resilient converters of solar energy. Additionally, these organelles function as complex anabolic factories, synthesizing a wide array of primary and secondary metabolites. The functionality of chloroplasts is dependent on the involvement of more than 3,000 proteins, the majority of which are encoded by the nuclear genome. These nucleus-encoded proteins must cross the chloroplast double lipid membrane to become functional. This translocation process is facilitated by the translocons at the outer and inner envelope membranes of chloroplasts (the outer chloroplast [TOC] and the inner chloroplast [TIC] complexes, respectively) and is driven by an energy-providing motor. Despite decades of research, the composition of these complexes remains highly controversial, especially regarding the TIC and motor components. However, recent studies have provided valuable insight into the TOC/TIC complexes, while also raising new questions about their mechanisms. In this review, we explore the latest advancements in understanding the structure and function of these complexes. Additionally, we briefly examine the processes of protein quality control, retrograde signaling, and discuss promising directions for future research in this field.
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