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PubMed2026

Genome-Wide Analysis of the PYL Gene Family and Its Expression Dynamics in Response to Abscisic Acid in Tomato.

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role throughout the plant life cycle and in adaptive responses to environmental stresses. The pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR/PYL/RCAR) proteins act as key regulators in the ABA signal transduction pathway by functioning as direct receptors for ABA. Although PYL genes have been identified in a variety of plant species, their evolutionary and structural characteristics in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) remain elusive. To address this gap, we identified nine SlPYL genes, which were classified into three subfamilies: I (two genes), II (three genes), and III (four genes), and their encoded proteins were predicted to be primarily localized in the cytosol and chloroplast. Structural analysis revealed diverse exon-intron organizations along with five conserved motifs. All identified SlPYLs contained the START domain (PF10604), validating their identity as actual PYL proteins. Prediction of cis-acting regulatory elements in SlPYL's promoter regions was found to be associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling, stress responses, and plant growth and development. Prediction of post-translational modification sites indicated that SlPYLs are predominantly phosphorylated and acetylated at serine and lysine residues, respectively. Tertiary structure modeling demonstrated conserved three-dimensional architectures among SlPYL proteins, supporting their functional conservation. Expression profiling revealed that specific SlPYL genes exhibit distinct expression patterns across different tissues (root, leaf, and bud) following ABA treatment, indicating functional diversification. Considering the well-established negative correlation between ABA accumulation and bud outgrowth, the ABA-induced differential expression (3~5-fold) of some SlPYL genes (SlPYL3, SlPYL4, SlPYL7, and SlPYL8), particularly in bud tissues after 24 hpt, suggests a potential role in ABA-mediated suppression of bud outgrowth. However, these functional inferences are primarily based on genome-wide computational analyses and expression profiling and therefore require further experimental validation.

Solanum lycopersicum↗
PubMed2026

Abscisic acid promotes RBOH-dependent reactive oxygen species production and lignin biosynthesis in pears via the PuABI5-PuMYB169 module.

Pear stone cell lignification, a critical determinant of fruit texture and quality, is regulated by developmental and environmental cues, with abscisic acid (ABA) playing a central role. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated lignification remain unclear. Here, we show that PuABI5, a key component in ABA signaling, directly combines with PuMYB169, the master regulator of stone cell lignification, to modulate ROS production and lignin biosynthesis in pear fruit. Exogenous application of ABA enhances H2O2 and lignin accumulation in both pear fruits and calli, and ABA-activated PuABI5 positively regulates stone cell lignification. We demonstrate that ABA-induced PuABI5 binds directly to the PuMYB169 promoter and activates its expression to promote the transcription of PuRBOHF and lignin-related genes, thereby enhancing ROS production and lignin accumulation. Notably, PuABI5 interacted with PuMYB169 to enhance the induction of PuRBOHF expression, leading to elevated levels of H2O2, which feedback to strengthen the interaction between PuABI5 and PuMYB169. Collectively, our findings elucidate that ABA induces ROS-mediated lignification of stone cells in pears by activating the PuABI5-PuMYB169 transcriptional module.

Lignin↗
PubMed2026

DNA hypermethylation of abscisic-acid-related genes helps enhance the cold tolerance of tetraploid rice.

Polyploid plants exhibit enhanced stress resistance and superior adaptability to extreme environments, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we confirm that tetraploid rice exhibits stronger cold tolerance than diploid rice. This improved tolerance is mediated by reduced malondialdehyde accumulation, elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, and epigenetic regulation of genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signaling. Under cold stress, tetraploid rice induces stress-responsive genes (especially in the ABA pathway) more rapidly and to higher levels than diploid rice. This enhanced gene expression coincides with increased endogenous ABA accumulation. Furthermore, polyploidization and cold stress synergistically induce high methylation at CG, CHG, and CHH sites in genes and transposons (TEs). Notably, the methylation level of class II TEs in tetraploid rice is significantly higher than in diploid rice under low temperatures. To suppress TE activation in gene promoter regions under cold stress, tetraploid rice enhances the methylation level of ABA pathway-related gene promoters, thereby silencing TEs and maintaining genome stability. Collectively, these results enrich the theoretical understanding of the strong stress tolerance in polyploid plants and provide theoretical support for breeding cold-tolerant polyploid rice varieties.

ABA↗
PubMed2024

PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 3b and transcription factor ABF3 modulate abscisic acid-dependent drought stress response in soybean.

The circadian system plays a pivotal role in facilitating the ability of crop plants to respond and adapt to fluctuations in their immediate environment effectively. Despite the increasing comprehension of PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATORs and their involvement in the regulation of diverse biological processes, including circadian rhythms, photoperiodic control of flowering, and responses to abiotic stress, the transcriptional networks associated with these factors in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we provide empirical evidence highlighting the significance of GmPRR3b as a crucial mediator in regulating the circadian clock, drought stress response, and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway in soybeans. A comprehensive analysis of DNA affinity purification sequencing and transcriptome data identified 795 putative target genes directly regulated by GmPRR3b. Among them, a total of 570 exhibited a significant correlation with the response to drought, and eight genes were involved in both the biosynthesis and signaling pathways of ABA. Notably, GmPRR3b played a pivotal role in the negative regulation of the drought response in soybeans by suppressing the expression of abscisic acid-responsive element-binding factor 3 (GmABF3). Additionally, the overexpression of GmABF3 exhibited an increased ability to tolerate drought conditions, and it also restored the hypersensitive phenotype of the GmPRR3b overexpressor. Consistently, studies on the manipulation of GmPRR3b gene expression and genome editing in plants revealed contrasting reactions to drought stress. The findings of our study collectively provide compelling evidence that emphasizes the significant contribution of the GmPRR3b-GmABF3 module in enhancing drought tolerance in soybean plants. Moreover, the transcriptional network of GmPRR3b provides valuable insights into the intricate interactions between this gene and the fundamental biological processes associated with plant adaptation to diverse environmental conditions.

Glycine max↗
PubMed2026

OsICL-associated metabolic reprogramming during dehydration in rice is regulated by ABA and modulated by ACC and its metabolites.

Drought coordinates hormonal, transcriptional, and metabolic reprogramming, but how abscisic acid (ABA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) jointly shape cereal dehydration responses remains unclear. We integrated hormone profiling, transcriptome and promoter analyses, synthetic promoter assays, and metabolite profiling in rice. ABA and ACC contents increased markedly in rice shoots under moderate soil water deficit. Combined ABA + ACC treatment showed larger absolute overlaps with dehydration-responsive genes than either ABA or ACC treatment alone in shoots; in roots, this pattern was observed for induced but not repressed genes. Promoters of dehydration- and ABA-inducible genes were enriched in ACGT-core motifs, including a CGTACG core preferentially embedded in ACGTACGT, designated the eXtended ACGT box (Xbox). Multimerised Xbox conferred transcriptional induction under soil water deficit and in response to ABA. OsICL was induced under soil water deficit and by ABA or ACC; in shoots, combined ABA + ACC treatment produced the highest mean transcript accumulation. OsICL overexpression and knockout lines showed altered organic-acid, sugar, and amino-acid profiles, particularly under soil water deficit, but several metabolites changed in the same direction in both line classes. These findings support an ABA-centred, ACC-modulated model of dehydration-responsive transcription and associate OsICL regulation with broader, condition-dependent changes in primary metabolism.

Oryza sativa↗
PubMed2026

Genome-wide characterization of MADS-box genes and their roles in axillary bud development in tobacco.

A total of 118 NtMADS-box genes were identified in tobacco, revealing their potential roles in axillary bud development. Preliminary overexpression analysis indicated that NtMADS91 promotes axillary bud development. MADS-box transcription factors are core regulators of plant development, but their functions in axillary bud development in Nicotiana tabacum L. have not been systematically elucidated. In this study, 118 NtMADS-box genes were identified from the tobacco genome. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into type I (comprising the Mα and Mγ subfamilies) and type II (comprising the MIKC* and MIKCC clades). Promoter analysis revealed that cis-acting elements were predominantly associated with light and hormone responses. RNA-seq analysis of axillary buds after topping identified 60 differentially expressed NtMADS-box genes, from which 12 candidate genes with significant expression changes were selected. Tissue-specific qRT-PCR revealed that seven of these genes were preferentially expressed in axillary buds, with members of the SOC1 and SVP subfamilies accounting for the majority. Exogenous application of abscisic acid and the strigolactone analog GR24 significantly suppressed the expression of most candidate genes, including NtMADS91. The preliminary overexpression analysis suggested that NtMADS91 may promote axillary bud growth, increasing both the number and length of axillary buds. This study lays a foundation for future dissection of the regulatory mechanisms of the NtMADS-box gene family in axillary bud development and provides promising candidate genes for research related to tobacco axillary bud development.

Nicotiana↗
PubMed2025

Multi-Omics insights into OsZFP252-OsGA20ox5 mediated drought tolerance in rice through stomatal and vascular regulation.

Rice growth is highly dependent on water availability, and drought stress significantly impacts its entire life cycle. However, previous studies lack systematic investigations into drought-responsive candidate genes across the full life cycle of rice. This study integrates transcriptomic and phenotypic data from two rice lines, IR64 (drought-sensitive) and DK151 (drought-tolerant), under varied environmental conditions at distinct growth stages. Using k-means clustering, 13 369 genes were categorized into 17 distinct expression patterns, revealing drought-responsive genes specifically upregulated or downregulated under drought stress. Weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further identified four gene modules strongly correlated with drought-related phenotypes, co-localizing 2859 drought-responsive genes through both approaches. Proteomics and metabolomics were supplemented at the booting stage, where phenotypic and transcriptomic differences under drought were most pronounced. Integrated omics results demonstrate gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways play a key role during drought tolerance in rice, and 79 high-confidence drought-resistant candidate genes were prioritized from the 2859 drought-responsive genes. Among these, Gibberellin 20-oxidase 5 (OsGA20ox5) was identified as a key negative regulator of drought tolerance. Furthermore, the transcription factor zinc finger protein 252 (OsZFP252) directly binds to the OsGA20ox5 promoter, repressing its expression and enhancing ABA biosynthesis, thereby improving drought tolerance by increasing stomatal closure and expanding vascular bundle water transport capacity. Notably, the drought-tolerant haplotype 2-4 (Hap2-4) of OsGA20ox5 provides valuable insights for drought-resistant breeding.

Oryza↗
PubMed2026

From activation to desensitization: How ABA balances plant growth and abiotic stress response?

Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling is a central regulator of plant adaptation to abiotic stress, dynamically coordinating stress responses with growth and development. Rapid activation of ABA signaling promotes plant survival during the early stages of stress, whereas prolonged stress requires timely attenuation of the pathway to restore growth and prevent excessive stress responses. Recent studies have uncovered diverse mechanisms underlying ABA desensitization, including regulation of SnRK2 kinases, phytohormone crosstalk, nutrient signaling, protein trafficking, post-translational modifications, and feedback regulatory networks. Together, these interconnected mechanisms enable plants to fine-tune ABA signaling in response to developmental and environmental cues. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms that attenuate ABA signaling and restore the balance between growth and stress adaptation during prolonged stress. We also highlight outstanding questions and discuss strategies for engineering ABA signaling dynamics to improve crop resilience, productivity, and adaptation to increasingly variable environments.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2026

Positive feedback loop between RAF12 and ABI5 reinforces ABA-mediated suppression of Arabidopsis seed germination.

ABA-INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) is a key transcriptional regulator mediating abscisic acid (ABA)-induced suppression of seed germination. However, the downstream regulatory network through which ABI5 exerts its function remains incompletely understood. Here, by integrating ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses, we identify RAF12, a member of the B2 Raf-like kinase subfamily, as a direct transcriptional target of ABI5. ABI5 binds to the RAF12 promoter and activates its expression. Loss-of-function raf12 mutants exhibit reduced sensitivity to ABA during seed germination, suggesting a negative regulatory role for RAF12 in this process. Conversely, RAF12 interacts with and phosphorylates ABI5, thereby enhancing its transcriptional activity. Further analysis showed that RAF12 regulates its own kinase activity through autophosphorylation. Mutations at its phosphorylation sites significantly weaken its ability to enhance ABI5's transcriptional activity. Together, these findings uncover a positive feedback loop wherein ABI5 transcriptionally activates RAF12, which in turn reinforces ABI5 activity through phosphorylation. This module may function in parallel with the canonical SnRK2s-ABI5-mediated ABA signaling cascade, offering new mechanistic insights into the fine-tuning of ABA responses during seed germination.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2025

ONAC005 enhances salt stress tolerance by promoting suberin deposition in root endodermis.

Salt stress impairs photosynthetic efficiency and consequently reduces the growth, development, and grain yield of crop plants. The formation of hydrophobic barriers in the root endodermis, including the suberin lamellae and Casparian strips, is a key adaptive strategy for salt stress tolerance. In this study, we identified the role of the rice NAC transcription factor, ONAC005, in salt stress tolerance. ONAC005 expression was induced by NaCl and abscisic acid (ABA). Expression analysis using the β-glucuronidase reporter gene driven by the ONAC005 promoter revealed that ONAC005 is predominantly expressed in the stele and endodermis of rice roots. The null mutation of ONAC005 increased sodium ion levels in the shoots and roots, indicating susceptibility to salt stress, whereas ONAC005 overexpression enhanced tolerance to salt stress by reducing sodium ion accumulation. Yeast one-hybrid, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that ONAC005 upregulates the expression of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase 8 (OsTPS8) by directly binding to its promoter region, leading to increased trehalose accumulation. ONAC005 enhances the formation of the root hydrophobic barrier by upregulating OsTPS8 expression under salt stress. Furthermore, considering the altered expression of ABA signaling and responsive genes, ONAC005 regulates the expression of genes in specific stress-responsive pathways that are independent of OsTPS8-mediated signaling. These results indicate that ONAC005 positively regulates hydrophobic barrier formation in the roots, thereby enhancing salt stress tolerance in rice.

Oryza↗
PubMed2026

MhSHINE2-like interacts with MhGRF3 to promote drought tolerance via modulating stomatal aperture in apple.

Drought poses a significant global challenge to agriculture, substantially reducing crop yields. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in response to drought stress. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism underlying the ABA-mediated drought stress response in apple remains poorly understood. We identified a drought- and ABA-induced AP2/ERF transcription factor (TF), MhSHINE2-like, which positively regulates drought stress tolerance in apple. Biochemical analysis showed that MhSHINE2-like directly binds to the GAGA-rich element in the promoter of the ABA biosynthesis gene MhNCED3, promoting its transcription under drought stress. Overexpression of MhNCED3 promotes ABA accumulation and enhances apple drought tolerance by regulating stomatal closure under drought stress. Further studies revealed that MhSHINE2-like physically interacts with 14-3-3 protein, MhGRF3, which also contributes positively to drought tolerance. Notably, MhSHINE2-like and MhGRF3 function cooperatively to modulate the expression of downstream genes, promoting ABA accumulation, and consequently enhancing drought tolerance in apple. These findings reveal a regulatory network mediated by the combined effects of TFs and chaperone proteins, offering valuable genetic resources for the development of drought-tolerant apple cultivars.

Malus↗
PubMed2026

Functional Characterization of the Oat (Avena sativa L.) TCP Transcription Factor AsTCP38 Reveals Its Role in Low-Nitrogen Stress Tolerance.

Nitrogen limitation restricts plant growth, development, and yield in crops and forage species. Although TCP transcription factors are implicated in diverse abiotic-stress responses, the functions of most TCP genes in oat remain unclear. Here, we cloned and characterized the AsTCP38 gene, which is 1215 bp long and encodes a 405-amino-acid protein. The predicted protein contains a conserved TCP domain and shares its highest sequence similarity with Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) AtTCP15. The AsTCP38 protein localized to the nucleus, and promoter analysis identified cis-elements associated with light, hormone, and stress responses. We generated AsTCP38-overexpressing A. thaliana and wheat plants and screened an oat leaf yeast cDNA library for candidate interacting proteins. In these heterologous overexpression lines, AsTCP38 overexpression was associated with greater abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity and improved seedling growth under low-nitrogen conditions. Changes in antioxidant-enzyme activities, nitrogen-metabolism-related enzyme activities, and endogenous hormone contents were also observed. Together, these findings suggest that AsTCP38 may participate in low-nitrogen responses and provide a basis for further functional studies in oat. Direct regulatory targets and the contribution of AsTCP38 to low-nitrogen adaptation in oat remain to be established.

Avena↗
PubMed2026

Integrated phenotype, endogenous hormones and transcriptome analysis revealed the mechanism of response of Phoebe bournei seedlings to shade signals.

Understory tree seedlings are subjected to prolonged shading stress imposed by the canopy foliage, which significantly impedes their growth. A hallmark of shaded environments is a reduced red to far-red light ratio (R: FR). This study elucidates the physiological and molecular responses of the endangered tree species Phoebe bournei to shading signals. Seedlings were exposed to white light (control) and simulated shading environments with R: FR ratios of 1.5, 0.8, and 0.2. The findings reveal that an increase in the proportion of far-red light significantly enhances seedling height, root-collar diameter, internode length, petiole length, leaf surface area, and leaf biomass. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each treatment group predominantly enrich pathways associated with hormone signaling, stress responses, and photosynthesis. Validation experiments demonstrate that shading promotes the activity of Rubisco and RCA enzymes, total chlorophyll (Chl) accumulation, and elevated levels of hormones including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), salicylic acid (SA)/methyl salicylate (MeSA), cytokinins (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identifies seven hub genes linked to photosynthesis and plant hormone regulation: MYB, KSC, SUAR, CESA POD, CESA, and SAUR. Collectively, shading signals induce P. bournei seedlings to elongate their stems and petioles, enhance photosynthetic enzyme activity, and accumulate specific hormones, with pertinent genes actively participating in light signal transduction. This research sheds light on the shading response mechanism of P. bournei, providing a robust theoretical framework for the breeding of shade-tolerant trees and the conservation of endangered species.

Transcriptome↗
PubMed2025

The small nucleolar RNA NON-CODING RNA 1 negatively regulates drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) function in ribosome biogenesis, and many ribosome biogenesis-related genes were downregulated by osmotic stress, implying a negative role of snoRNAs in drought tolerance. A snoRNA, namely, the NON-CODING RNA 1 (NCR1) was studied for its roles in drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. In comparison with wild-type (WT) plants, the loss-of-function ncr1 mutant plants showed enhanced drought tolerance, which was restored in the NCR1-complemented plants, whereas the NCR1-overexpressing plants revealed a drought-sensitive phenotype. Physiological analyses revealed that the ncr1 plants had a higher leaf surface temperature, lower water loss rates, and improved cell membrane integrity compared with WT. Comparative leaf transcriptomics and proteomics suggested that wax biosynthesis, anthocyanin metabolism, and leaf senescence processes are regulated by NCR1 under both normal and water-deficit conditions. Under drought, an increase in wax and anthocyanin accumulations and a delay in leaf senescence in ncr1 plants, when compared with WT, supported the transcriptome and proteomics data. Additionally, the ncr1 plants exhibited higher abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity and longer root hairs than WT. Collectively, our results suggest that NCR1 negatively regulates drought tolerance through modification of wax biosynthesis, anthocyanin accumulation, leaf senescence, cell membrane integrity, ABA responses, and root hair development.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2026

Small nucleolar RNA HIDDEN TREASURE 2 reduces drought tolerance via multiple pathways in Arabidopsis.

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) contribute to ribosome biogenesis and modulate various aspects of plant growth and development. Given that osmotic stress downregulates numerous genes associated with ribosome biogenesis in roots, we hypothesize that snoRNAs might function in modulating plant responses to osmotic and drought stresses. To prove this hypothesis, we assessed the role of a C/D-box snoRNA, namely the HIDDEN TREASURE 2 (HID2), in Arabidopsis thaliana responses to drought using both loss-of-function and overexpression approaches. Under drought conditions, the Arabidopsis hid2 mutant displayed a significantly higher survival rate than both wild-type (WT) and HID2-complemented plants, while HID2-overexpressing plants showed a lower survival rate than WT. A series of physiological assays indicated that the hid2 mutant maintained a slower rate of water loss and more intact cell membranes than WT plants under drought, which supported their drought-tolerant phenotype. Comparative leaf transcriptome and proteome analyses revealed that processes related to wax biosynthesis, senescence, and anthocyanin accumulation were differentially regulated between hid2 and WT plants under water-deficit conditions. Consistently, the hid2 mutant accumulated higher amounts of wax and anthocyanins and exhibited delayed leaf senescence relative to WT plants under drought. Additionally, the hid2 mutant showed improved ability to increase sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA), scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and extended root hairs. Overall, these findings demonstrate HID2's role as a negative modulator in Arabidopsis drought tolerance by negatively affecting cell membrane stability, wax and anthocyanin biosynthesis, senescence, ROS-scavenging capacity, ABA responsiveness, and root hair formation.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2026

Structural and functional characterization of peanut expansin proteins identifies AhEXPA3 as a stress-responsive regulator of seed germination.

Expansins are cell wall-associated proteins that play important roles in plant growth, development, and environmental responses, yet their structural features and functional significance in peanut remain insufficiently understood. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of 70 expansin proteins in cultivated peanut. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into four subfamilies (EXPA, EXPB, EXLA, and EXLB), with conserved motif patterns and subgroup-specific exon-intron structures. Collinearity and evolutionary analyses revealed that segmental duplication mainly drove peanut expansin family expansion, with most duplicated gene pairs subsequently undergoing purifying selection. Promoter analysis identified abundant cis-regulatory elements associated with light responses, hormone signaling, and stress responses. Expression profiling indicated that many AhEXP genes were differentially expressed during seed germination and in response to abscisic acid (ABA), salt, and osmotic stresses. Among them, AhEXPA3 was identified as a stress-responsive expansin protein with marked transcriptional induction under abiotic stress conditions. Subcellular localization analysis suggested that AhEXPA3 exhibits an endoplasmic reticulum-associated localization pattern. Functional assays further demonstrated that heterologous expression of AhEXPA3 inhibited seed germination and early seedling establishment under stress conditions in both Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. These findings support a negative regulatory role of AhEXPA3 in stress-responsive seed germination and broaden current understanding of expansin protein function in legumes.

Germination↗
PubMed2025

Multi-omics analyses provide insights into the molecular basis for salt tolerance of Phyla nodiflora.

The perennial herbaceous plant, Phyla nodiflora (Verbenaceae), which possesses natural resistance to multiple abiotic stresses, is widely used as a pioneer species in island ecological restoration. Due to the lack of information about its genome, the mechanism underlying its tolerance to environmental stresses, such as salinity, is almost entirely unknown. Here, we report on the high-quality genome of P. nodiflora that is 403.07 Mb in size, and which was assembled and anchored onto 18 pseudo-chromosomes. Genomic synteny revealed that P. nodiflora underwent two whole genome duplication events, which promoted the expansion of genes related to environmental adaptation and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. An integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis suggested that salt stress tolerance in P. nodiflora is associated with the expansion and activated expression of genes related to abscisic acid (ABA) homeostasis and signaling. The expansion of ZEP family genes may contribute to the consistent increase in ABA levels under salt stress. Lysine acetylomic analysis revealed that exposure to salt led to widespread protein deacetylation, with these proteins primarily involved in signal transduction, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and transcription regulation. Deacetylation of glutathione S-transferase increased enzymatic activities in response to salt-induced oxidative stress. Collectively, the genomic, transcriptomic, and lysine acetylomic analyses provide profound insight into the molecular basis of the adaptation of P. nodiflora to salt stress, and will be helpful to engineer salt-tolerant plants for ecological restoration.

Salt Tolerance↗
PubMed2026

A novel domain of unknown function 707 protein coordinates root growth and drought tolerance.

A well-developed root system is one of the morphological mechanisms through which xerophytes adapt to drought. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying root growth are not completely known. In this work, two domain of unknown function 707 (DUF707) proteins were identified as hub genes for the response of roots to drought stress in Lespedeza potaninii, a xerophytic subshrub. We found that angiosperm DUF707 proteins can be divided into two subfamilies. LpDUF707-1 expression was strongly induced under drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment in the roots of L. potaninii, and its promoter activity in the roots was significantly induced by drought stress and mannitol treatments. The overexpression of LpDUF707-1 significantly improved root growth and drought tolerance, whereas the silencing of LpDUF707-1 inhibited root growth and reduced drought tolerance. We further revealed that the LpOBP3.1 transcription factor directly binds to the promoter region of LpDUF707-1, thereby repressing its activity. LpOBP3.1 expression was strongly suppressed under drought stress and ABA treatment in the roots of L. potaninii. The overexpression of LpOBP3.1 significantly inhibited root growth and decreased drought tolerance, whereas LpOBP3.1-RNAi lines presented the opposite pattern. Collectively, our results demonstrated that this novel module regulates root growth and drought tolerance in L. potaninii, thus providing gene targets for the development of elite crop varieties with well-developed root-mediated drought tolerance.

Drought Resistance↗