Plant Cell Reports最新文献

{"title":"DNA aptamers selected against potato spindle tuber viroid bind the viroid and differentially modulate infection.","authors":"Takashi Naoi, Maria S Kaponi, Rino Hashimoto, Shoya Kitabayashi, Akiko Kashiwagi, Teruo Sano","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03955-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03955-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>DNA aptamers selected against PSTVd inhibited or promoted PSTVd infection in co-inoculated assays, correlating with their specific binding sites predicted in silico. Viroids are noncoding plant pathogens consisting of highly structured, single-stranded, circular RNA approximately 230-430 nucleotides. To develop DNA aptamers that specifically bind to potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), a systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was performed from a random population of 30-nucleotide single-stranded DNAs. Amplicon analysis by next-generation sequencing of every five rounds up to 15 SELEX rounds revealed that the random DNA population became progressively enriched and less diverse at each sampling point; that is, the number of unique sequences detected in the 15th round was 1/18th of that in the 5th round. Sixteen sequences ranked high in 5th, 10th, and 15th rounds, as well as two low abundance sequences in 5th round, were selected to analyze the affinities to PSTVd by pull-down assay. Among them, seven bound either in vitro-transcribed or native PSTVd. The strongest binder was the one from low abundance in 5th round, while five were those ranked high in 15th round. Four sequences, including the one previously reported, were selected and further analyzed for their affinities to PSTVd by co-inoculation assay on tomato plants with infectious PSTVd transcripts. Some significantly inhibited PSTVd infection, whereas others promoted it, suggesting that aptamers may affect viroid infectivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148897840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in CRISPR multiplex gene editing to map and modify stress-responsive transcription factor networks for crop improvement.","authors":"Nitya Nandan Sharma, Anjali Kumari, Ira Vashisht, Manoj Kumar Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03956-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03956-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of CRISPR multiplex genome-editing (MGE) tools is rapidly transforming plant functional genomics and accelerating crop improvements. By simultaneously targeting two or more DNA loci, it allows scientists to precisely edit multiple genes at the single-nucleotide level, within the target genome. Simultaneous manipulation of multiple targets has revolutionized the functional elucidation studies, particularly the dissection of complex genetic pathways. Due to its superior precision and feasibility, CRISPR-MGE is widely accepted and has largely replaced alternative editing tools such as TALENs and ZFNs. Several CRISPR-MGE strategies, including the use of individual expression cassettes, tRNA-processing enzymes, Csy4 or ribozymes, have been successfully deployed in plants. Recent advancements, such as Cpf1, transgene-free methods, or ultra-multiplexing approaches, have further refined the technology into a powerful, efficient, and robust toolkit. MGE enables complex genome editing, including multiple-gene knockouts, base alterations, transcriptional regulation, metabolic engineering, or their combinations. Consequently, it is ideal for elucidating the function of transcription factors that are key molecular players in regulating diverse plant responses, especially in stress pathways. Several stress-responsive TFs have been functionally characterized via CRISPR-MGE, and more advanced tools are being employed. This review evaluates multiplexing tools, their diverse applications, and the current progress toward developing advanced MGE tools. Ultimately, we provide evidence to encourage the use of advanced MGE tools for functional characterization studies of stress-responsive TFs, thereby highlighting their potential to accelerate crop improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148892287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A chromosome 2 locus controls transient Agrobacterium-mediated GFP expression in rose petals.","authors":"Ninh Hai Ho, Marcus Linde, Thomas Debener","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03961-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-026-03961-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>A major chromosome 2 region is associated with the genotype-dependent transient GFP expression after Agrobacterium infiltration of rose petals and provides markers for selecting permissive genotypes. Transient expression assays are valuable for testing gene function in rose, where stable transformation remains laborious and genotype-dependent. We evaluated Agrobacterium-mediated transient green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in the petals of 96 rose genotypes and used genome-wide association analysis to identify associated host genomic regions. GFP expression was scored semiquantitatively on a scale from 0 to 4 at 3 and 5 days post-infiltration (dpi). The genotypes differed strongly in expression at both time points, and the 3- and 5-dpi scores were strongly correlated (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). At 5 dpi, the mean scores ranged from 0 to 3.98, with the cultivars Sebastian Kneipp, Friesia and Comtessa AL among the most permissive genotypes. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 37,161 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed a major association on chromosome 2 at 69-73 Mbp and a second peak on unanchored chromosome 0 contigs that may correspond to the same region. The top SNPs reached -log10(P) = 7.85. This identified interval represents a high-priority candidate region containing multiple potential host factors. Candidate annotations within the region include genes related to auxin transport, ubiquitin-mediated protein turnover, ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism, membrane-associated defence responses and nuclear transport. The results identify useful rose genotypes for petal transient assays and provide a genetic entry point for dissecting host control of Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148892241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CgMYC2 directly activates jasmonate-induced naringin biosynthesis in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa'.","authors":"Genlin Mao, Diyang Qiu, Ruiyi Fan","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03960-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03960-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>CgMYC2 links jasmonate signaling to naringin biosynthesis by binding G-box motifs and activating flavonoid-pathway promoters in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' Naringin, the predominant bitter-flavanone glycoside in Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa', has well-characterized biosynthetic enzymes, yet the transcriptional regulators coupling hormonal signals to pathway activation remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that CgMYC2, a jasmonate-responsive bHLH transcription factor, functions as a central activator of naringin biosynthesis. Exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment increased naringin content 3.45-fold in seedlings, coinciding with a rapid 6.6-fold induction of CgMYC2 that preceded the peak transcription of five core biosynthetic genes (CgPAL5, CgCHS, CgFNS, Cg7GlcT, and Cg1,2RhaT). Physical interaction between CgMYC2 and the JAZ protein CgJAZ3 was confirmed by pull-down and Co-IP assays, placing CgMYC2 within the canonical jasmonate signaling cascade. Y1H confirmed CgMYC2 binding to the Cg1,2RhaT promoter, EMSA demonstrated direct G-box-dependent binding to all five pathway promoters, and dual-luciferase assays showed transactivation of all five promoters, with the strongest activation for CgCHS. As complementary chromatin-level support, a single-sample CUT&Tag profile revealed G-box-enriched CgMYC2-associated chromatin regions across jasmonate-responsive and secondary-metabolic loci. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CgMYC2 reduced naringin content by ~21% and suppressed biosynthetic gene expression, supporting its positive contribution. Furthermore, heterologous overexpression in tomato activated the flavonoid pathway and elevated 16 flavonoid compounds, consistent with evolutionary conservation of the MYC2-G-box regulatory logic. These findings establish CgMYC2 as a central, JA-responsive activator bridging jasmonate perception and naringin biosynthesis, providing a molecular framework for the targeted improvement of bitter-flavonoid traits in citrus.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A stable transformation platform in pomegranate uncovers PgMYB10 as a key regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis.","authors":"Xueqing Zhao, Yilong Zhang, Yingfen Teng, Mingzhuo Hao","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03962-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03962-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>An efficient genetic transformation platform enables functional validation of PgMYB10, identifying it as a master regulator governing anthocyanin biosynthesis in pomegranate. Limited availability of stable genetic transformation systems restricts functional genomics research in pomegranate. Here, we established efficient in vitro regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation systems for 'Taishanhong' pomegranate using stem segment explants. Optimized medium combinations produced high-frequency regeneration: a 93.3% shoot-induction rate on MS medium with 1.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.6 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 30.0 mg/L adenine sulfate (ADS); a proliferation coefficient of 5.4 on MS medium supplemented with 0.8 mg/L BAP and 0.3 mg/L indole‑3‑butyric acid (IBA); effective shoot-strengthening on MS medium containing 1.2 mg/L BAP, 0.3 mg/L NAA and 0.2 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA₃); and a rooting rate of 95.3% on half-strength MS medium with 1.5 mg/L IBA and 0.5 mg/L NAA. For transformation, precultured explants were immersed with A. tumefaciens suspension (OD₆₀₀ = 0.8) containing 20.0 mg/L acetosyringone (AS) for 30 min. After four days of dark co-culture, sequential antibiotic screening with 30 mg/L kanamycin and bacteriostatic treatment with 400 mg/L timentin yielded a stable average transformation efficiency of 17.5% in 'Taishanhong' pomegranate. Subsequent functional analysis revealed that overexpression of PgMYB10 induced pigment accumulation in leaves and stems. In three independent transgenic lines, maximum anthocyanin content and PgMYB10 transcript levels were 5.4-fold and 27.2-fold higher than in wild-type plants, respectively. Six anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (PgCHS, PgCHI, PgF3H, PgDFR, PgANS, and PgUFGT) were markedly upregulated, demonstrating that PgMYB10 positively controls anthocyanin biosynthesis. This transformation system provides a reliable technical platform for functional genomic studies in pomegranate, and PgMYB10 represents as a promising candidate gene for molecular breeding aimed at improving fruit pigmentation.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB113 specifically regulates anthocyanin accumulation in Lycium ruthenicum.","authors":"Tingting Li, Zihan Zhang, Jingjin Wang, Huan Qin, Lin Tang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03953-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03953-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>LrMYB113 drives anthocyanin biosynthesis in Lycium ruthenicum by forming an MBW complex and directly activating LrDFR and LrANS promoters, providing a genetic target for enhancing flavonoid production. Lycium ruthenicum Murray (black goji berry), a Solanaceae medicinal plant, is valued for its high flavonoid content. However, the transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in L. ruthenicum remains unclear, hindering its pharmaceutical development. Here, we identified and characterized LrMYB113, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, as a key regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in L. ruthenicum. Phylogenetic analysis grouped LrMYB113 into the anthocyanin-associated S6 subgroup of MYBs. Heterologous expression of LrMYB113 in tobacco induced pigment accumulation and upregulated anthocyanin pathway genes. LrMYB113 overexpression in L. ruthenicum hairy roots enhanced accumulation of four acylated anthocyanins and activated anthocyanin pathway genes. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed LrMYB113 interacts with bHLHs (LrJAF13/LrAN1b) and WD40 (LrAN11) to form an MBW complex. Promoter binding and transactivation assays demonstrated LrMYB113 directly binds to and activates LrDFR and LrANS promoters. Dual-luciferase assays showed LrMYB113 alone strongly activates LrDFR and LrANS promoters; MBW complexes enhanced activity compared to individual bHLH/WD40 but not to LrMYB113 alone. Our findings identify LrMYB113 as a critical regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in L. ruthenicum, shedding light on flavonoid molecular mechanisms and supporting genetic improvement for pharmaceutical use.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complete telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Guazuma ulmifolia uncovers evolutionary mechanisms, drought adaptation, and flavonoid biosynthesis.","authors":"Tashi Dorjee, Yican Cui, Bo Liu, James E Richardson, Fei Gao","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03948-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03948-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>The first T2T reference genome of Guazuma ulmifolia is reported, which serves as a core genomic resource for stress adaptation research and stress-tolerant breeding in cacao wild relatives. Climate change, particularly increased incidence of drought, poses a major threat to food security. Understanding the genomic basis of environmental adaptation in crop wild relatives can provide valuable resources for improving stress resilience. Guazuma ulmifolia, a wild relative of Theobroma cacao with important ecological and medicinal value, lacks high-quality reference genomic resources. Here, we report the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) chromosome-level genome assembly of G. ulmifolia, with a genome size of 311.31 Mb, contig N50 of 35.19 Mb, and 98.70% BUSCO completeness. Repetitive sequences constitute 27.43% of the G. ulmifolia genome, with LTR retrotransposons as the predominant class. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that genome-size variation among Malvaceae species is associated with differences in polyploidization history and TE dynamics. Ancestral karyotype reconstruction identified five lineage-specific chromosome fusion events distinguishing G. ulmifolia from T. cacao. Comparative analyses further identified tandem duplication-associated expansion of stress-related LEA and GST gene families, suggesting potential genomic features associated with stress responses. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes were largely conserved in copy number but showed tissue-specific expression patterns, providing candidate genes for investigating secondary metabolism. Together, this study establishes a high-quality T2T genome resource for exploring genome evolution, chromosome organization, and stress-related genomic features in Malvaceae.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RNAi: the next wave of green agriculture, challenges, and bridging the translational gap.","authors":"Zal Khan Abdullah, Lih Ling Kong, Norazrin Ariffin, Mui Yun Wong","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03939-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03939-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Agriculture must achieve substantial yield gains while drastically reducing its environmental footprint to meet the food demands of a growing global population by 2050. Current crop losses to pests and pathogens account for 20-40% of annual production, a challenge predominantly addressed by chemical pesticides, which impose high ecological and health costs. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a transformative, species-specific solution, demonstrating high efficacy (> 90%) against susceptible target pests under controlled laboratory conditions, though responsiveness varies considerably across taxa. However, the transition of RNAi to widespread field application has been slow. The first commercial RNAi-based crop trait targeting corn rootworm, MON 87411, was introduced as part of SmartStax PRO^® in 2022, followed by additional RNAi-enabled traits, such as Bayer's VT4PRO™, while spray-induced RNAi products have only recently entered the market, with Calantha becoming the first foliar-applied RNA-based biopesticide registered by the U.S. EPA in 2023. This review, synthesizing insights from over 250 studies, identifies three primary barriers limiting this translational transition: variable RNAi efficiency across species, the rapid environmental degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and a fragmented regulatory landscape where products are variably classified as biochemical pesticides, plant-incorporated protectants, or novel active substances across jurisdictions. We highlight how emerging technological advances, including nanoparticle formulations for enhanced stability, microbial delivery systems, and cost-effective cell-free dsRNA production, are poised to overcome these hurdles. Furthermore, we position RNAi as a key tool for advancing sustainable food production and ecosystem health, aligning with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. By analyzing advances in molecular biology, formulation science, and environmental stability, this work provides a strategic framework for bridging the gap between laboratory promise and field-scale implementation, paving the way for RNAi to become a cornerstone of next-generation agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Armadillo repeat only gene VlARO confers resistance to Botrytis cinerea by promoting guaijaverin accumulation in grapevine.","authors":"Songlin Zhou, Xiaoli Zhang, Xiangyu Zhou, Guohong Wu, Jiangchu Yu, Yudan Zhang, Hong Lin, Changyue Jiang, Yinshan Guo","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03952-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03952-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>The ARM repeat only gene VlARO positively regulates grape resistance to gray mold by promoting the guaijaverin accumulation, which directly suppresses the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea. Gray mold, caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, severely threatens global grapevine production. Here, we identified VlARO, a nuclear-localized gene from the highly resistant grapevine variety 'Beta', as a positive regulator of gray mold resistance. Although VlARO contains Armadillo repeats, it lacks a canonical U-box domain, thus distinguishing it from typical plant U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases. Overexpression of VlARO in grape leaves significantly enhanced resistance to B. cinerea, whereas its silencing weakened this resistance. Stable overexpression in grape calli and transgenic Arabidopsis consistently conferred enhanced resistance, as evidenced by markedly reduced lesion formation. Mechanistically, VlARO significantly activated antioxidant enzymes, resulting in efficient ROS scavenging and reduced oxidative damage. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the overexpression of VlARO profoundly reshaped the metabolic landscape following B. cinerea inoculation, with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway most prominently enriched. Notably, the accumulation of guaijaverin, a flavonoid glycoside, showed strong positive correlation with VlARO transcript levels. Further results demonstrated that guaijaverin directly inhibits the mycelial growth of B. cinerea in vitro and that its exogenous application significantly reduced disease severity in grape calli. Our findings establish the mechanism for VlARO in grapevine immunity by promoting guaijaverin accumulation. This study provides a promising genetic target for disease-resistant grapevine breeding and lays a theoretical foundation for developing eco-friendly fungicides based on guaijaverin.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative transcriptomics reveals hormone signaling and MADS-box genes in divergent development of inflorescences and tendrils in grapevine lateral shoots.","authors":"Yuanqian Ni, Yiran Bian, Zhaosen Xie, Youmei Li","doi":"10.1007/s00299-026-03957-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-026-03957-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Hormone signaling and MADS-box genes regulate grapevine tendril and inflorescence growth divergence, offering molecular insights for managing tendril growth. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) tendrils and inflorescences are homologous organs; however, their divergent development has important agronomic consequences because excessive tendril growth increases vineyard management costs. To explore the regulatory mechanisms, we compared the inflorescence-prone cultivar 'Einset Seedless' (ENT) with the tendril-prone cultivar 'Pinot Noir' (PN) using anatomical observation, transcriptome analysis of specific tendril nodes, and functional characterization of MADS-box genes. ENT exhibited a higher flowering rate at tendril nodes 1-4 than PN. Transcriptome profiling of specific tendril nodes uncovered 549 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through an intersection/exclusion strategy, with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment indicating that hormone and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were the primary candidates driving the divergence. To assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of these DEGs, we performed Mfuzz clustering, which revealed that multiple expression trajectories were highly consistent with the flowering gradient across different ENT and PN nodes. Plant hormone signal transduction was the predominantly enriched pathway across all dynamic clusters, highlighting the centrality of phytohormones in this process. Guided by this transcriptional evidence, we measured endogenous zeatin and gibberellin (GA₃) contents in the nodal tissues. Remarkably, the zeatin-to-GA₃ ratio not only paralleled the flowering gradient but also correlated with the cluster expression trajectories, providing physiological evidence for a cytokinin-gibberellin interaction model governing organ divergence. Additionally, we analyzed the differentially expressed transcription factors among the DEGs and identified a MADS-box gene, FRUITFULL-LIKE (VvFUL-L), which was markedly upregulated in PN tendrils. Heterologous overexpression of VvFUL-L in arabidopsis promoted early flowering and reduced inflorescence branching, suggesting its potential role in regulating lateral meristem development and affecting tendril formation. Collectively, these findings establish that Hormone Signaling, particularly cytokinin-GA crosstalk, and MADS-box regulators, such as VvFUL-L, are key regulators of inflorescence versus tendril growth in grapevines, providing a basis for future molecular and breeding studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}