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PubMed2026

Benzoic acid inhibits peach root growth and lateral root emergence by disrupting auxin homeostasis through salicylic acid accumulation.

We established a non-sterile root transformation system in peach seedlings. Using this system, we demonstrated that BA treatment inhibits plant growth and lateral root emergence by SA-mediated disruption of auxin distribution. Allelopathic autotoxins, particularly benzoic acid (BA), are recognized as primary contributors to peach (Prunus persica) replant disease; however, the molecular mechanisms by which BA disrupts root development remain poorly understood. BA treatment significantly reduced stem and root length and inhibited lateral root emergence without affecting lateral root initiation. To investigate the underlying mechanism at cellular resolution, we established a non-sterile Agrobacterium rhizogenes-based root transformation system achieving 27.11% transformation efficiency. Auxin biosynthesis (PpYUC10), influx transport (PpAUX1), and response (PpARF19) genes were markedly downregulated following BA treatment. Transgenic roots expressing the DR5::GUS auxin reporter exhibited reduced DR5 activity in root tips and suppressed expression in tissues surrounding lateral root primordia, indicating impaired auxin signaling at both developmental sites. Hormone profiling revealed a non-significant trend toward reduced auxin metabolites alongside significant accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), an auxin-antagonistic hormone, and its storage conjugate SA 2-O-β-glucoside. Supporting a causal role for SA, exogenous SA phenocopied BA-induced root growth inhibition, whereas co-treatment with IAA or the SA-biosynthesis inhibitor aminoindan-1-phosphonic acid (AIP) significantly rescued lateral root number and root fresh weight. Multi-treatment RNA-seq identified "response to auxin" and "response to salicylic acid" as the most enriched GO terms in BA-treated roots, and AIP treatment restored the expression of key auxin-related genes while reversing BA-induced SA-pathway changes. Together, these findings suggest that BA-induced SA accumulation suppresses auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling, thereby inhibiting peach root growth and lateral root emergence. This study elucidates the molecular basis of BA autotoxicity and establishes a transformation platform for functional genomic studies in Prunus.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

PubMed2026

Long-day photoperiod promotes growth of pea (Pisum sativum L.) via auxin biosynthesis and polar transport.

Photoperiodic sensitivity is an essential factor that may affect agricultural practices under current climate scenarios. This study used pea (Pisum sativum) to examine effects of varying photoperiods on growth and photosynthetic parameters and then reveal the mechanistic basis of this process by linking them with tissue-specific distribution of auxin and regulation of related genes. This was achieved by transcriptome sequencing, genome-wide gene family identification, and expression pattern analysis. Best results in terms of growth and yield were obtained with a 20 h/4 h light/dark photoperiod and these plants had the highest content of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in both the shoot apex and the root. Genes consistently upregulated with prolonged light exposure were significantly enriched in pathways related to light signal transduction, photosynthetic carbon metabolism, and phytohormone signal transduction. Through genome-wide identification, we characterized the TAA/TAR and YUCCA families (key gene families involved in auxin biosynthesis) as well as the PIN family (responsible for auxin polar transport) in pea. Extending the light duration positively affected expression of several genes related to auxin biosynthesis and transport, among them members of the Elongated Hypocotyl (HY) and Phytochrome-Interacting Factor (PIF) families being key light-induced transcription factors, PsTAR2, the principal gene regulating auxin biosynthesis, as well as PsPIN4, PsPIN5, PsPIN11, and PsPIN13 which mediate polar auxin transport. By elucidating mechanisms underlying the coordinated regulation of pea growth by light and auxin, this work provides a significant reference for photoperiod research on long-day crops for both protected- and field-based horticulture.

Auxin↗

PubMed2026

Auxin-induced ARF transcription factor degradation defines tissue boundaries.

How organs partition themselves into discrete domains with distinct functions is a fundamental question in biology. The gynoecium of flowering plants provides an excellent system to address this question. Here, we show that the boundary between the stigma and style at the gynoecium apex is established by the complementary distribution of the phytohormone auxin and the Auxin Response Factor (ARF), ETTIN (ETT). Mechanistically, auxin induces ETT protein destabilization via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. A short sequence motif within an intrinsically disordered region is required for this auxin-triggered degradation. Disruption of this motif leads to ectopic ETT accumulation at the gynoecium apex and consequently abolishes stigma-style boundary development. We further demonstrate that this previously unrecognized mode of auxin-induced ARF instability is evolutionarily conserved among ETT orthologs across angiosperms. In summary, this study reveals how graded auxin distribution affects ARF transcription factor activity, contributing to the establishment of the stigma-style boundary, ensuring correct gynoecium formation and reproductive success in flowering plants.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

PubMed2026

A FERONIA-MPK3/6-WRKY3/4 module links auxin signaling to lateral root development in Arabidopsis.

The phytohormone auxin orchestrates root development through intricate signaling networks. In the non-canonical auxin pathway, both the transmembrane kinase (TMK)-mediated signaling and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade are shown to be involved in the auxin-regulated lateral root (LR) formation. However, the role and mechanism of the receptor-like kinase FERONIA (FER) in this process remain unclear. Here, quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of Arabidopsis roots identify FER, MPK3/6, and WRKY3/4 as auxin-responsive components. Further analyses reveal that FER functions as a negative regulator of LR development by modulating cell division patterns within LR primordia. FER interacts with and phosphorylates MPK3/6, which then phosphorylate the transcription factors WRKY3 and WRKY4 to form a repressive module that ultimately suppresses LR organogenesis. Collectively, our findings define a FER-MPK3/6-WRKY3/4 signaling module that negatively regulates LR formation, demonstrating a previously unknown integration of FER-mediated signaling into the MAPK cascade in auxin-triggered organogenesis.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2026

Quantitative trait locus qLDC5 regulates primary root branching in an auxin-dependent manner.

L-type lateral root (LLR) density determines root system architecture, affecting nutrient acquisition in rice (Oryza sativa L.), particularly under low-phosphorus conditions. Previous studies identified genotypic differences in LLR density and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) enhancing LLR density on crown roots (qLDC5). We showed that LLR densities on crown and primary roots were closely correlated and confirmed higher LLR density on primary roots in qLDC5 donor DJ123 compared with the African variety NERICA4 using X-ray micro-computed tomography. We confirmed the qLDC5 effect in a field experiment for LLR density on primary roots. LLR densities on primary and crown roots, therefore, appear under similar genetic control. Developmental analyses revealed that DJ123 and NDJ188-a derivative line harboring qLDC5-initiate more lateral root primordia than NERICA4, with a higher proportion progressing to elongation, but that exogenous auxin application reversed this ranking. Within qLDC5, auxin biosynthesis gene OsYUCCA2 and auxin response factor OsARF15 were up-regulated in DJ123. Transcriptome analysis revealed an indirect auxin-mediated regulatory network underlying LLR variation. Differentially expressed genes in DJ123 and NDJ188 were enriched for ent-kaurene and gibberellin metabolism, including the robust induction of OsGA2ox5. These findings suggest qLDC5 increases lateral root density by coordinating gibberellin, auxin, and terpene pathways.

Oryza↗

PubMed2025

Deciphering acquired resistance mechanisms to sustained auxin-inducible protein degradation in cells and mice.

Targeted protein degradation is a favorable strategy for studying the immediate downstream effects of protein loss-of-function. An appealing platform among these technologies is the auxin-inducible degron (AID) system. Although this system has been applied extensively to cell and animal models, degradation resistance to long-term auxin treatment has not been studied. With the advent of the new AID2 system, cellular toxicity due to the high concentrations of auxin required in the original AID1 system is no longer a concern, making it possible to study protein degradation over extended periods. In this study, we derived multiple miniAID-tagged knock-in human cell lines and a Ctcf-miniAID knock-in mouse strain to investigate mechanisms of degradation resistance. We revealed four independent resistance mechanisms, including a nonsense mutation in the CTCF coding sequence that removed the miniAID peptide, a missense point mutation in the miniAID coding region that disrupted ubiquitin complex targeting, and silencing of the OsTIR1 adaptor protein. Resistance to auxin degradation was also acquired in mouse primary CtcfminiAID/miniAID knock-in B-ALL cells through missense mutations of the OsTIR1(F74G) protein in vivo and ex vivo. In summary, our innovative study expands our understanding of the AID system and cautions careful consideration of design for future applications in mammalian system.

CTCF↗

PubMed2026

OsMYB8-OsARF12/25 module fine-tunes tiller angle via auxin signaling pathway in rice.

Tiller angle is a critical determinant of rice plant architecture and significantly impacts grain yield by influencing planting density and photosynthetic efficiency. Although auxin signaling is known to affect tiller angle in rice, the detailed regulatory networks remain largely unknown. In this study, we identify OsMYB8, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, as a positive regulator of rice tiller angle. Functional analyses revealed that loss-of-function mutants of OsMYB8 exhibited reduced tiller angles and a more compact architecture, while overexpression of OsMYB8 resulted in more expanded tiller angles. Further investigations found that OsMYB8 might negatively regulate the shoot gravitropic response by disrupting asymmetric auxin distribution. At the molecular level, OsMYB8 directly binds to the promoters of 2 auxin response factors, OsARF12 and OsARF25, and represses their transcription. Genetic analyses confirmed that OsMYB8 acts upstream of OsARF12 and OsARF25 in regulating rice tiller angle. Our finding elucidates a previously uncharacterized OsMYB8-OsARF12/25 transcriptional module that fine-tunes auxin signaling to regulate tiller angle in rice, and offers valuable genetic targets for the optimization of rice architecture and yield potential.

Oryza↗

PubMed2025

Analysis of Cytoplasmic RNA Decay Targets Using the Auxin Degron System.

RNA degradation in mammalian cells is performed by multiple enzymes and cofactors making it difficult to identify the specific impact of each of them separately. The auxin-inducible degron system enables direct depletion of a protein of interest limiting the time of depletion and thus reducing secondary effects due to cell adaptation. In this chapter, using XRN1 as an example of cytoplasmic RNA decay enzyme, we describe a combination of methods to introduce the auxin-inducible degron by CRISPR-Cas9, together with downstream analyses of RNA levels after protein depletion.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

PubMed2026

The CsTBH-CsROP2 Module Regulates Waterlogging Tolerance via Auxin-Mediated Adventitious Root Formation in Cucumber.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) requires frequent irrigation due to its shallow root system and high transpiration rate of the aboveground parts. However, it is also prone to waterlogging damage. Therefore, understanding its response to waterlogging is crucial for breeding waterlogging-tolerant varieties. Although Rho of Plants GTPases play well-established roles in regulating development and stress signalling, their functions in plant adaptation to waterlogging stress has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we identified nine CsROP genes in the cucumber genome, which exhibit evolutionary diversification but retain conserved functional domains. Functional analysis revealed that CsROP2 acts as a negative regulator of adventitious root formation. It modulates auxin accumulation in hypocotyl vascular bundles, thereby suppressing adventitious root development and enhancing waterlogging sensitivity. The HD-Zip I transcription factor CsTBH directly binds the CsROP2 promoter and activates its expression. Our study uncovers a CsTBH-CsROP2 module that governs adventitious rooting and waterlogging tolerance by modulating auxin homeostasis. These findings provide new insights into the crosstalk between developmental programmes and stress signalling pathways and offer potential genetic targets for improving stress resilience in cucumber and other crops.

CsROP2↗

PubMed2025

Functional analysis of a GWAS pleiotropic hotspot suggests an auxin biosynthesis gene (AhPDS1), regulating pod development in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Peanut productivity and quality improvement rely on understanding the genetic factors influencing pod and seed size. This study aims to identify genetic factors and regulatory mechanisms influencing pod and seed size in peanuts. Herein, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using 390 accessions from 15 peanut growing regions to analyze pod and seed traits across multiple planting seasons. A significant phenotypic variation was observed, with broad-sense heritability ranging from 53.6 to 85.4%. Strong correlations between pod and seed traits further suggest potential for co-selection in breeding efforts. A pleiotropic hotspot on chromosome B06 was strongly associated with six pod and seed traits. A peanut pod size regulator AhPDS1 (PODSIZE-1, Ahy_B06g085516) homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana YUCCA4 (AtYUC4, AT5G11320), involved in auxin biosynthesis, was selected as a candidate regulating pod and seed size. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed higher AhPDS1 expression in large pod as compared with the small pod genotypes. Subcellular localization showed AhPDS1 to be predominantly cytoplasmic, and GUS reporter assays indicated widespread expression in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and pods, suggesting a broad functional role. Further overexpression of AhPDS1 in Arabidopsis and rice enhanced pod, seed, and grain sizes via the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway in transgene lines. These findings highlight AhPDS1 as a potential target for peanut molecular breeding, offering opportunities to enhance pod size via auxin biosynthesis and support sustainable crop improvement.

Arachis↗

PubMed2025

A transposable element insertion in AUX/IAA16 disrupts splicing and causes auxin resistance in Bassia scoparia.

A dicamba-resistant population of kochia (Bassia scoparia) identified in Colorado, USA in 2012 was used to generate a synthetic mapping population that segregated for dicamba resistance. Linkage mapping associating dicamba injury with genotype derived from restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing identified a single locus in the kochia genome associated with resistance on chromosome 4. A mutant version of Auxin/Indole-3-Acetic Acid 16 (AUX/IAA16; a gene previously implicated in dicamba resistance in kochia) was found near the middle of this locus in resistant plants. Long-read sequencing of dicamba-resistant plants identified a recently inserted long-terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon TRIM element near the beginning of the second exon of AUX/IAA16, leading to disruption of normal splicing and a mutated degron domain. Stable transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana ectopically expressing the mutant and wild-type alleles of AUX/IAA16 were developed. Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing the mutant AUX/IAA16 allele grew shorter roots on control media. However, transgenic root growth was less inhibited on media containing either dicamba (5 μM) or IAA (0.5 μM) when compared with non-transgenic plants or those expressing the wild-type allele of AUX/IAA16. In vitro assays indicate reduced binding affinity and more rapid dissociation of the mutant AUX/IAA16 with TIR1 in the presence of several auxins, and protein modeling suggests the substitution of the glycine residue in the degron domain of AUX/IAA16 is especially important for resistance. A fitness cost associated with the mutant allele of AUX/IAA16 has implications for resistance evolution and management of kochia populations with this resistance mechanism.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

PubMed2025

The auxin gatekeepers: Evolution and diversification of the YUCCA family.

The critically important YUCCA (YUC) gene family is highly conserved and specific to the plant kingdom, primarily responsible for the final and rate-limiting step for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis. IAA is an essential phytohormone, involved in virtually all aspects of plant growth and development. In addition, IAA is involved in fine-tuning plant responses to biotic and abiotic interactions and stresses. While the YUC gene family has significantly expanded throughout the plant kingdom, a detailed analysis of the evolutionary patterns driving this diversification has not been performed. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the YUC family, combining YUCs from species representing key evolutionary plant lineages. The evolutionary history of YUCs is complex and suggests multiple recruitment events via horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. We identify and hierarchically classify the YUC family into an early diverging grade, five distinct classes and 41 subclasses. Angiosperm YUC diversity and expansion are explained in the context of protein sequence conservation, as well as spatial and gene expression patterns. The presented YUC gene landscape offers new perspectives on the distribution and evolutionary trends of this crucial family, which facilitates further YUC characterization within plant development and response to environmental change.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

PubMed2026

Mechanistic analysis of rice caryopsis morphogenesis regulated by exogenous hormones and related precursor substances under blue light conditions.

Rice caryopsis morphogenesis is regulated by light signals and hormonal networks. However, the mechanism by which exogenous hormones and related precursor substances modulate rice caryopsis morphogenesis under blue light remains elusive. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory effects of exogenous phytohormones and related precursor substances on caryopsis development at 10 days after pollination (10 DAP) in the japonica rice cultivar 'Chujing 27' under blue light conditions. Results showed that tryptamine treatment increased caryopsis cell volume, thereby significantly driving caryopsis expansion; meanwhile, it markedly enhanced the activities of TDC and TAA, the key rate-limiting enzymes mediating the conversion of tryptophan to auxin, leading to a significant elevation in endogenous auxin content (P < 0.05). In comparison, exogenous auxin treatment significantly boosted carbohydrate accumulation and the activities of associated metabolic enzymes (P < 0.05). Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that tryptamine treatment led to significant enrichment of the starch and sucrose metabolic pathway, and drove the coordinated enhancement of carbon metabolic flux and auxin biosynthesis by upregulating key auxin biosynthetic genes (e.g., TAA1) and repressing auxin oxidative degradation. Genes Os04g0531100, Os03g0266100 and Os11g0221200 identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) may serve as important candidate targets regulating rice caryopsis morphology and physiological traits under blue light conditions. This study first uncovers the critical function of the "tryptamine-auxin axis" in regulating rice caryopsis development under blue light, laying a theoretical foundation for regulating caryopsis morphogenesis via exogenous hormones and their precursors.

Oryza↗

PubMed2026

Genome-Wide Identification of the LdARF Gene Family in Lilium davidii var. unicolor and Transient Functional Analysis of LdARF17 in Bulblet Regeneration.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are key transcriptional regulators of the auxin signaling pathway and play important roles in plant organogenesis and regeneration. However, the functions of ARF family genes in lily scale-derived bulblet regeneration remain largely unclear. In this study, 24 LdARF genes were identified from the genome of Lilium davidii var. unicolor. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that LdARF proteins showed evolutionary conservation with ARF homologs from other monocot species. Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, and expression profiling revealed functional divergence among LdARF genes during scale-derived bulblet regeneration. Among them, LdARF17 exhibited a distinct regeneration-associated expression pattern, characterized by rapid induction after scale excision and sustained high expression during subsequent bulblet initiation and formation. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that LdARF17 is localized in the nucleus. Transient overexpression of LdARF17 significantly promoted bulblet regeneration and was associated with increased expression of auxin-responsive and regeneration-related genes, including IAA14, LBD16, and LBD29. These findings suggest that LdARF17 acts as a positive regulator of lily scale regeneration and may influence auxin-responsive transcriptional processes associated with early cell proliferation, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying vegetative regeneration in lilies.

Auxin response factor↗

PubMed2025

The MIR169:NF-YA module enhances biomass and yield via ARGOS in Arabidopsis and tomato.

Molecular links between miRNA: target modules regulating downstream genes for crop maturation/yield are poorly understood. Here, we report that elevated miR169d expression and concomitant reduced NF-YA2 (Nuclear Factor-Y subunit-A) target levels positively regulate vegetative growth and yield in Arabidopsis along with a shorter life cycle. In agreement, increased NF-YA2 levels in (1) NF-YA2-OE (overexpression) lines, (2) miR169d-target-mimicry lines (in which miR169d is chelated), and (3) miR169d-non-cleavable NF-YA2 resistant target lines show the opposite phenotype. Further, we find increased auxin levels in MIR169d-OE and nf-ya2 mutant lines, supporting the enrichment of 'auxin terms' in MIR169-OE transcriptome data. We show that ARGOS (auxin-regulated gene involved in organ size) is upregulated in MIR169d-OE due to reduced NF-YA2 repressor levels and that NF-YA2 directly binds the ARGOS promoter. Genetic screens of this module show that neither overexpressing miR169d in an argos mutant background nor the nf-ya2:argos double mutants rescue the argos mutant phenotype, suggesting a parallel pathway of ARGOS regulation via the MIR169:NF-YA2 node, independent of auxin. To assess the translational potential of this module in a crop, we show that Sly-MIR169-OE lines in tomato, having reduced target Sly-NF-YA10 levels, also regulate Sly-ARGOS resulting in early flowering, larger sized fruits, more fruit fresh weight, higher fruit set, early fruiting, and better shelf life than wild-type plants. In contrast, Sly-STTM169 plants inhibited for Sly-miR169 action and having increased levels of Sly-NF-YA10 have a longer life cycle with reduced biomass, decreased fruit set, and an overall reduction in yield. Thus, our findings show a conserved MIR169:NF-YA:ARGOS module which can be applied to crops for addressing future food demands.

MicroRNAs↗

PubMed2025

Development of a highly efficient protoplast regeneration and transfection protocol for enhancing CRISPR genome editing of Brassica carinata.

Brassica carinata is an important oil crop with significant potential for food and industrial production. The application of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool in B. carinata could accelerate its breeding cycle. However, no efficient DNA-free gene editing method currently exists for this species. Protoplast-based CRISPR editing presents a promising solution, though it is often challenging for many crop species. In this study, we investigated several critical factors influencing in vitro shoot regeneration, including genotype, sugar type, selection and combination of plant growth regulators (PGRs), and culture duration on different media throughout various stages of protoplast development. As a result, we developed a highly efficient, five-stage protoplast regeneration protocol for B. carinata based on specific stages of protoplast development. Key findings of this study include the requirement for high concentrations of NAA and 2,4-D in the initial medium (MI) for cell wall formation, while a lower auxin concentration relative to cytokinin was necessary for active cell division (MII). For callus growth and shoot induction, a high cytokinin-to-auxin ratio was essential (MIII), and an even higher cytokinin-to-auxin ratio was optimal for shoot regeneration (MIV). For shoot elongation, low levels of BAP and GA3 were sufficient (MV). Our results also demonstrated that the duration of culture on different media and maintaining appropriate osmotic pressure at the early stages were crucial for successful protoplast regeneration. With this optimized protocol, we achieved an average regeneration frequency of up to 64% and a transfection efficiency of 40% using the GFP marker gene. This efficient protoplast regeneration protocol is now being employed for genome editing in our lab and is expected to significantly enhance the application of the CRISPR system in both basic research and the genetic improvement of B. carinata over the long term.

Brassica carinata↗

PubMed2026

Ethylene signaling negatively regulates rapeseed resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, poses a serious threat to the rapeseed (Brassica napus) industry. Due to B. napus being an allopolyploid with a complex genome and the current scarcity of available resistance gene resources, the molecular basis of rapeseed resistance to P. brassicae remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a functional characterization of BnEIN2 (ethylene-insensitive protein) to explore the role of ethylene signaling in rapeseed resistance to P. brassicae. The Bnein2 mutants generated through CRISPR/Cas9 technology exhibited enhanced resistance to P. brassicae, along with reduced 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)/S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) accumulation and ethylene insensitivity. Pharmacological assays demonstrated that inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or signaling improved the resistance of Bnein2 mutant plants to P. brassicae. Transcriptome analysis revealed that loss-of-function of BnEIN2 affected the expression of ethylene-, auxin-, and cytokinin-related genes. Moreover, the increased resistance of Bnein2 mutants to P. brassicae was accompanied by a reduction in auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) biosynthesis and degradation of cytokinin (trans-zeatin, TZ). Collectively, these findings establish the negative regulatory role of ethylene signaling in rapeseed resistance to P. brassicae. This study represents the first effort to elucidate rapeseed resistance to P. brassicae by directly obtaining rapeseed genetic material and offer novel insights into the hormonal regulatory network underlying disease resistance and valuable resources for breeding clubroot-resistant varieties.

BnEIN2↗

PubMed2026

Integrated methylome and transcriptome analysis provides insight into DNA methylation-mediated networks in sexual dimorphism of Vernicia montana.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dimorphism is fundamental to reproduction in dioecious plants and is regulated by both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. DNA methylation is a central epigenetic mark known to influence phenotypic variation in plants. However, its specific role in shaping sexual dimorphism in dioecious trees remains poorly understood. To address this question, we performed integrated genome-wide DNA methylome and transcriptome analyses of four tissue types in the dioecious tung tree (Vernicia montana), including male and female flower buds and their corresponding leaves. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed distinct DNA methylation patterns between male and female tissues. Notably, the coordination between DNA methylation reprogramming and transcriptional regulation appeared to be more strongly associated with reproductive development than with vegetative growth in V. montana. We identified a set of sex-biased genes that may reflect different reproductive strategies between the sexes. Further analysis identified several key transcription factors (TFs) potentially associated with promoter differentially methylated regions (DMRs), including flowering-time regulators (e.g., FRS5, REM16, and VRN1) and TFs involved in hormone signaling pathways such as jasmonic acid, auxin, and salicylic acid signaling. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed that some promoter DMRs overlapped with hormone response elements related to abscisic acid, auxin, and gibberellin. Co-expression network analysis further revealed potential regulatory correlations among promoter DMR-mediated TFs, hormone-responsive pathways, and key floral development regulators. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results suggest that interactions among DNA methylation, transcriptional regulation, and hormone-responsive pathways may contribute to the establishment of sexual dimorphism in V. montana. This study provides the first integrated view of these regulatory layers in V. montana and supports a species-specific regulatory framework for understanding the epigenetic basis of sexual dimorphism in this economically important dioecious tree. The proposed framework is based on multi-omics analyses and warrants further validation through targeted functional studies.

DNA Methylation↗