Plant Cell Reports最新文献

{"title":"Female gametophyte development, pollen‒pistil interactions and embryogenic patterns in chicory (Cichorium intybus): a self-incompatibility perspective.","authors":"Samela Draga, Fabio Palumbo, Damiano Riommi, Marta Adelina Mendes, Alex Cavalleri, Giovanni Gabelli, Silvia Farinati, Alessandro Vannozzi, Gianni Barcaccia","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03546-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03546-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Cytological and molecular investigations in chicory revealed crucial aspects related to female gametophyte development, pollen‒stigma interactions, and self-incompatibility responses. The Asteraceae family, one of the largest of angiosperms, comprises approximately 24,000 species and exhibits considerable variation in reproductive biology. Cichorium intybus (commonly known as chicory) is among the most well-known and widespread species of the family. In addition to its economic and commercial value, chicory is considered one of the most interesting species in its family for the study of sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI). Information regarding megasporogenesis, megagametogenesis, pollen tube development, and embryogenesis in this species is almost entirely absent in the scientific literature. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we conducted a detailed investigation of female gametophyte development, providing a comprehensive characterization of the cytological stages involved in megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis. To investigate the dynamics and timing of pollen tube development and pollen rejection, we microscopically examined the interactions between pollen and stigmas in both cross- and self-pollinated plants. The response was similar to those documented in other Asteraceae species with a 'semidry' type of stigma. Integrated RNA-seq analyses further highlighted transcriptional changes during self- and non-self-pollen recognition and led to the identification of potential candidate genes involved in pollen tube development and callose deposition (in the case of self-incompatibility reactions). In parallel, for the first time, we characterized both the embryogenesis process and embryo sac degeneration in a compatible and incompatible crosses, respectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"156"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12198316/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144497879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"TkSRPP3/4 interactors TkGGR1 and TkLIL3 link plastid-like organelles with isoprenoid metabolism in Taraxacum koksaghyz latex.","authors":"Silva Melissa Wolters, Lukas Schwarz, Ronja Khairat, Kristina Sturm, Boje Müller, Nicole van Deenen, Richard M Twyman, Dirk Prüfer, Christian Schulze Gronover","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03537-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03537-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>The presence of plastid-like structures in the latex of the Russian dandelion Taraxacum koksaghyz and interactions involving plastid-associated TkGGR1 with TkSRPP3, TkGGPS6 and TkLIL3 may confer TkSRPP-mediated stress tolerance. The latex of the Russian dandelion Taraxacum koksaghyz is a rich source of natural rubber (NR) but other facets of its metabolism and physiology have been largely neglected. Small rubber particle proteins (SRPPs) contribute to NR biosynthesis by stabilizing rubber particles and are also linked to stress responses. The identification of geranylgeranyl reductase (GGR1) as potential interactor of TkSRPP3 in our previous study prompted its detailed investigation because GGRs normally reduce geranylgeranyl groups to phytol or phytyl diphosphate for chlorophyll synthesis in chloroplasts. Here we determined the latex-specific expression and phytol-producing activity of GGR1, and confirmed its interaction with TkSRPP3. Metabolic analysis of plants with altered TkGGR1 expression levels in latex revealed its involvement in tocopherol but not NR synthesis in roots, whereas a second, leaf-specific GGR was responsible for chlorophyll synthesis. We found that a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPS) and light-harvesting-like 3 protein (LIL3) were co-expressed in latex and translocated into Nicotiana benthamiana chloroplasts, as we also observed for TkGGR1. We confirmed that TkGGR1 interacted with TkGGPS6 and TkLIL3 inside chloroplasts and detected an extraplastidial interaction between TkLIL3 and TkSRPP4. In situ analysis of mVenus-tagged TkGGR1 indicated its localization in plastid-like structures in T. koksaghyz latex, which lacks conventional chloroplasts. We therefore hypothesized the presence of a TkGGR1-containing multiprotein complex within Frey-Wyssling-like particles in latex that may confer oxidative stress tolerance. This study provides insight into a previously undescribed branch of isoprenoid metabolism and cellular biology of NR-producing laticifers in T. koksaghyz.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"155"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144485677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MeWRKY30, a cassava stress-responsive WRKY transcription factor, confers drought resistance to transgenic Arabidopsis.","authors":"Yufei Zhu, Zhibo Li, Wenjuan Wang, Xiaojie Liu, Qiuxian Xie, Xiaoling Yu, Xiuchun Zhang, Shuxia Li, Mengbin Ruan","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03543-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03543-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>MeWRKY30 enhances drought tolerance by reducing ROS and MDA accumulation via the activation of stress-related transcription factors and ROS-scavenging genes. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), cultivated primarily in tropical regions, is susceptible to drought stress, which adversely affects its yield productivity. WRKY transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating drought responses; however, the specific molecular pathways in cassava remain to be characterized. Our previous transcriptomic analyses under drought stress identified MeWRKY30, the expression of which was upregulated by both drought and abscisic acid treatments. Comparative analysis revealed that Arabidopsis lines overexpressing MeWRKY30 exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, characterized by reduced malondialdehyde accumulation compared with wild-type controls, as well as delayed flowering and reproductive development. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) identified 3,002 genes regulated by MeWRKY30, including AtNAC72, AtERF24, AtCAT2, and AtSPL9. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that MeWRKY30 directly binds to W-box cis-elements in the AtERF24 promoter, thereby activating its transcription. These results suggest that MeWRKY30 is a positive regulator of drought tolerance in cassava and has potential applications in transgenic breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"153"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144476368","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":"Increased root growth and seed yield in transgenic soybean overexpressing NAC genes GmNAC19 and GmGRAB1.","authors":"Mitra Mazarei, Nicole Coffey, Sarah E A Shipp, C Neal Stewart, Tarek Hewezi","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03550-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03550-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Soybean NAC genes GmNAC19 and GmGRAB1 are root-preferential expressed genes whose overexpression led to enhanced root growth and/or tolerance to dehydration stress in transgenic soybean plants. Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crops globally. Water shortage stress is a major abiotic factor limiting soybean growth and production. NAC transcription factors play important roles in plant development and stress responses. To date, numerous soybean NAC genes for plant growth and stress tolerance were identified. Yet, the functionality of the vast majority of them remains unknown. We previously identified soybean NAC genes GmNAC19 and GmGRAB1 whose overexpression enhanced root growth and/or dehydration tolerance in transgenic soybean hairy root system. Here, we examined the functionality of these genes through transgenic overexpression in homozygous T₃ soybean lines. The endogenous expression analyses showed detectable levels of expression for both genes in leaf, stem, and root tissues with the highest levels in roots, suggesting their importance in roots. Under non-stress conditions, GmNAC19- and GmGRAB1-overexpressing plants had up to 1.7-fold increase in root length and/or 1.3-fold increase in root fresh/dry weight. There was a positive association between the level of increasing GmNAC19 and GmGRAB1 expression and root growth in the transgenic plants. The transgenic plants with improved root growth also produced higher seed yield by 1.5-fold than control plants, suggesting a positive impact of the increased root growth on seed production. Furthermore, GmNAC19-overexpressing plants showed an improved survival rate under water-deficit stress. The present study provides further insights into the potential applications of these NAC genes for development of improved soybeans.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"154"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144485676","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":"Explorations of a novel effector CcAA9-20333 from Colletotrichum coccodes: the potential roles played in host immunity.","authors":"Ting Ma, Chengde Yang, Fengfeng Cai, Mengjun Jin, Richard Osei, Yidan Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03547-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03547-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>The AA9 LMPO protein, CcAA9-20333, acts as a secretory effector by inhibiting N. benthamiana cell death via its enzymatic activity and contributes to the virulence of C. coccodes. Although the functions of most effectors produced by fungi are unclear, it is known that they may both increase infection and alter host immunity. This research describes a novel fungal effector protein CcAA9-20333 of Colletotrichum coccodes. First, the signal peptide of CcAA9-20333 has secretory function verified by yeast trap secretion assay and subcellular localization, and CcAA9-20333 with the full length can inhibit host immunity including the PCD induced by INF1 and BAX, accumulation of ROS, ion leakage, and genes' expression involved in SA and JA pathway, and even inhibit the susceptibility of plant to C. coccodes. The expression level of CcAA9-20333 was associated with the regulation mechanism of it on immune response, with the positive correlation. In addition, all of these functions were decided by the enzymatic activity of CcAA9-20333, which was verified by site mutant. The morphological characteristics of ΔCcAA9-20333, the mutant of C. coccodes, demonstrated that CcAA9-20333 can reduce the sporulation and virulence. All of these provided that CcAA9-20333 play a critical role in regulating the immunity of host plant and pathogenicity of C. coccodes. This approach teaches us to see beyond the obvious while expanding the field of LPMO study.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"152"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144476367","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":"Harnessing the MYB51/SWEET20 module to increase soybean yield by facilitating sugar supply to sink organs.","authors":"Jiafang Shen, Dong Cao, Songli Yuan, Qingnan Hao, Hongli Yang, Yi Huang, Lihong He, Jialing Yuan, Zhonglu Yang, Shuilian Chen, Zhihui Shan, Wei Guo, Limiao Chen, Haifeng Chen, Xia Li, Chanjuan Zhang, Xinan Zhou","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03535-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03535-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>GmMYB51-GmSWEET20 plays an important role in soybean yield formation by promoting carbohydrates distribution and reducing flower and pod abscission. These insights provide a new molecular framework for soybean yield improvement. Enhancing the supply of carbohydrates into sink tissues is a promising strategy for improving soybean (Glycine max) yield. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood in soybean. In this study, transcriptome comparison analysis of Zhongdou 29 (ZD29, a low-yielding variety) and Zhongdou 32 (ZD32, a high-yielding variety) identified a SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) gene, GmSWEET20, which exhibited higher expression level in the petioles and stems of ZD32 and functioned as a sucrose and glucose transporter. Overexpression of GmSWEET20 resulted in increased pod number and higher yield by facilitating carbohydrate accumulation in sink tissues and reducing flower and pod abscission. While knock-down of GmSWEET20 and its three homologous genes with RNAi technology decreased pod number and yield. GmMYB51, which also exhibited higher expression level in ZD32 than in ZD29, could bind to the promoter of GmSWEET20 and activate its expression. We further confirmed overexpression of GmMYB51 also enhance efficient supply of carbohydrates to sink organs and increase pod number and yield through upregulation of GmSWEET20 expression. Taken together, our findings identified a novel regulatory module composed of GmMYB51 and GmSWEET20, which enhances carbohydrate supply in sink tissues, thereby leading to improved pod number and yield. These insights provide a molecular framework for yield improvement strategies of soybean.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"151"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144340364","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":"Characterization of PAMP-induced peptides and mechanistic insights into SlPIP2-mediated defense in tomato.","authors":"Ruirui Yang, Hongbo Wei, Jiaxuan Zhu, Zhiyuan Xue, Siya Zeng, Jun Meng, Yushi Luan","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03540-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03540-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>SlPIP2 modulates the expression of PR genes, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the accumulation of defense-related metabolites in tomato, and concurrently contributes to enhanced resistance against Phytophthora infestans and Botrytis cinerea. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), as one of the most popular horticultural crops, is widely cultivated worldwide, however, its yield and quality is continually threatened by P. infestans. Plant peptides are engaged in the regulation of plant growth and immunity. PAMP-induced Peptides (PIPs) are new class of signaling peptides with diverse biologic roles in the regulation of plant defense responses. In this study, a total of seven SlPIP genes were identified in the tomato genome, and their expression profiles were analyzed under P. infestans infection. Among the SlPIP family members, SlPIP2 exhibited a significant response to pathogen infection. Through a combination of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and gene overexpression, we demonstrated that SlPIP2 precursor (SlprePIP2) positively regulates tomato resistance. Notably, exogenous application of SlPIP2 enhanced plant defense responses, increasing resistance not only to P. infestans but also to B. cinerea, thereby highlighting its potential role in conferring broad-spectrum disease defense. To elucidate how SlPIP2 affected to tomato resistance, we performed transcriptomic analysis on tomato seedlings sprayed with H₂O and SlPIP2. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that SlPIP2 affects several key pathways including camalexin biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interactions, and MAPK signaling. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that SlPIP2 regulates the expression of various transcription factors and hormone-related genes. In addition, SlPIP2 modulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes and accumulation of key defense-related metabolites. Collectively, our findings underscore the potential of SlPIP2 to enhance disease resistance in tomato, providing valuable insights and promising strategies for crop improvement and sustainable disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336884","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":"PgF3H gene enhances drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating flavonoid biosynthesis and stress response.","authors":"Radha Shivhare, Priyamvada Mishra, Poorwa Kamal Badola, Puneet Singh Chauhan, Charu Lata","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03524-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03524-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Water stress stimulates plants to regulate flavonoid biosynthesis. Overexpression of the PgF3H gene increases flavonoid levels and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis, with stress-responsive elements in the PgF3H promoter indicating its role in drought response. Water stress significantly impairs plant growth and yield, but plants combat this through various strategies, including flavonoid biosynthesis regulation. Flavonoids, crucial secondary metabolites, aid in plant development and stress responses. Pearl millet, a drought-tolerant crop, produces high levels of secondary metabolites like flavonoids and anthocyanins via the phenylpropanoid pathway. Research indicates that flavonoid-encoding genes are prevalent in drought-tolerant pearl millet variants, hinting at their role in drought response, though their exact functions are not fully understood. This study highlights the essential role of pearl millet flavanone 3-hydroxylase (PgF3H) in flavonoid biosynthesis. To validate this function, PgF3H was expressed in flavonoid-deficient Arabidopsis mutant backgrounds: Atf3h (defective in flavanone 3-hydroxylase activity), Atans (mutated in anthocyanidin synthase, leading to impaired anthocyanin production), and Atanr (a regulatory mutant with altered anthocyanin accumulation). The PgF3H overexpression led to partial or complete restoration of flavonoid production in these mutants, reinforcing the gene's role in biosynthesis and drought resilience. In silico analysis of the PgF3H promoter revealed stress-responsive elements, and ProPgF3H::GUS expressing lines showed increased GUS expression with higher PEG concentrations. The in silico structure of PgF3H revealed a 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase domain, crucial in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. In conclusion, PgF3H overexpression enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis, suggesting a potential strategy for improving crop drought resistance by manipulating flavonoid biosynthesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"150"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336885","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":"Myosin XI coordinates ABA-induced stomatal closure via microtubule stability and ROS synthesis in drought-stressed Arabidopsis.","authors":"Haiyang Liu, Motoki Tominaga","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03538-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03538-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Myosin XI contributes to ABA-triggered stomatal closure via reactive oxygen species signaling and microtubule remodeling, boosting drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.. ABA is a key hormone induced by drought stress, and it can regulate stomatal closure through the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microtubule depolymerization in guard cells, which ultimately enhances plant drought resistance. In this study, we found that myosin XI double (2ko) and triple (3ko) mutants not only exhibited reduced drought resistance but also showed a weakened ABA response compared to the wild-type (WT). Through comprehensive phenotypic analysis and cellular observations, our experiments demonstrated that myosin XI plays a role in regulating ABA-induced ROS synthesis and microtubule depolymerization in guard cells, thereby facilitating stomatal closure, which minimizes leaf water loss while enhancing drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. This study provides novel insights into the role of myosin XI in abiotic stress responses by showing connections with fundamental ABA signaling pathways and broadens our understanding of myosin XI function in plants beyond its established roles in cytoplasmic streaming.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12179000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptional and phytohormonal responses to simulated animal grazing in Leymus chinensis.","authors":"Haiyan Li, Chunxu Zhou, Jiayuan Cheng, Han Wang, Xidan Zhang, Yingjie Yu, Lili Jiang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03536-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03536-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Simulated animal feeding alters endogenous phytohormone levels and gene expression within related metabolic pathways, thereby regulating the growth, development, and defense mechanisms of Leymus chinensis. Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. is a vital forage species in grassland animal husbandry, serving as the primary food source for grazing herbivores. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying herbage responses to grazing enhances our understanding of plant-animal interactions and their coevolution. In this study, we simulated grazing by applying animal saliva to L. chinensis post-clipping and conducted transcriptomic and phytohormonal analyses. Our findings revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) responding to clipping but reverting to control levels after saliva treatment were enriched in a limited number of metabolic pathways. In contrast, DEGs specifically responsive to animal saliva were significantly enriched in numerous pathways related to plant growth, development, and defense. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validated the expression patterns of representative DEGs, confirming the reliability of the transcriptome-based analyses. Five classes of DEGs were annotated in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, including Auxin (IAA), Abscisic acid (ABA), Salicylic acid (SA), Cytokinin (CTK), and Jasmonic acid (JA). Phytohormone quantification revealed significant changes in hormone levels upon saliva treatment, peaking at 6 h post-treatment, which may account for the surge in DEGs observed at this time point. These results deepen our understanding of how animal saliva influences the growth and defense of L. chinensis and may inform more effective grassland management practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 7","pages":"148"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326782","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}