Plant Cell Reports最新文献

{"title":"Unleash the dogs of death: metacaspase 5, microtubules, and hypersensitive response.","authors":"Xin Zhu, Kunxi Zhang, Peijie Gong, Michael Riemann, Peter Nick","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03567-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03567-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Vitis rupestris metacaspase 5, tethered to microtubules, drives grapevine. Hypersensitive response via calcium-dependent auto-processing, linking cytoskeletal dynamics to defence activation by elicitors. Metacaspase 5 is a key player for the hypersensitive response of grapevine against biotrophic pathogens and must be activated rapidly as to prevent colonisation. This activation is likely to occur through changes in protein activity. By expressing a GFP fusion of metacaspase 5 from Vitis rupestris in tobacco BY-2 cells, we can show that this protein is bound to microtubules and that the overexpressors are more responsive to the cell-death-inducing elicitors, cis-3-hexenal and harpin. The disruption of microtubules and actin filaments by these elicitors can be blocked by inhibitors of dynamic turnover and stabilisation. Stabilisation of microtubules by taxol can mitigate cis-3-hexenal induced mortality. Mutations of the catalytic or the putative microtubule-binding sites of metacaspase 5 can suppress auto-processing of this enzyme in biochemical assay. Likewise, the response to cis-3-hexenal (cell death, induction of salicylate-related gene expression) is suppressed in cells, whilst the cytoplasmic remodelling is retained. Calcium and the sites for catalysis or microtubule binding are required for both auto-processing and enzyme activity. We arrive at a model, where metacaspase 5 is inactive when tethered to microtubules, but becomes unleashed for auto-processing upon defence-mediated microtubule breakdown.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"184"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12310787/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144744396","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":"Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in Castilleja tenuiflora: Cte-chlH and Cte-PDS.","authors":"Elizabeth Rubio-Rodríguez, Norma Elizabeth Moreno-Anzúrez, Berenice Hernández-Santiago, Ana C Ramos-Valdivia, Gabriela Trejo-Tapia","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03566-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03566-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Agrobacterium-mediated transformation allowed the establishment of the VIGS system based on the TRV for specific marker genes, Cte-PDS and Cte-chlH, in C. tenuiflora, a hemiparasitic plant. Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. (Orobanchaceae) is a medicinal and hemiparasitic plant recognized for its specialized metabolism. Genetic transformation systems are valuable for gene function analysis and understanding the regulation of the biosynthetic pathways of bioactive molecules. Here, we present two efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols, defined as \"transformation by injection\" (Ti-AI) and \"transformation by cocultivation\" (Tc-AII). For both methods, two strains of A. tumefaciens were used: PCH32 and C58C1. These strains harbored a binary expression vector containing β-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter gene. The putative transformants tested positive in the GUS histochemical staining assay, which was confirmed via PCR. Tc-AII showed a higher transformation efficiency (Ti-AI: 23 vs. Tc-AII: 65%) although Ti-AI generated the highest survival rate of the putative transformants (Ti-AI: 75 vs. Tc-AII: 37%). Tc-AII-C58C1 was used to evaluate a VIGS system based on pTRV. Vectors were constructed with phytoene desaturase (Cte-PDS) and protoporphyrin magnesium chelatase subunit H (Cte-chlH) genes. Successful VIGS was demonstrated by gene silencing observed across various growth stages of C. tenuiflora when pTRV₂-CtePDS and pTRV₂-CtechlH were used, indicating that systemic viral infection was achieved. The photobleaching phenotype was observed 32 days after agro-infection and more effective with pTRV₂-CtechlH (80% photobleaching) than with pTRV₂-CtePDS (31% photobleaching). The phenotype of the silenced plants was significantly correlated with the downregulation of endogenous Cte-chlH and Cte-PDS (P ≤ 0.01). These results indicate that the use of Cc-AII-C58C1 and TRV-based VIGS with pTRV₂-CtechlH provides a tool to facilitate research on the functions of genes of interest involved in biotechnological processes in C. tenuiflora, yielding more significant information about gene silencing and genetic transformation in a non-model hemiparasitic medicinal plant.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"183"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144744395","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":"Direct haploid formation in Arabidopsis using transgenic CENH3-based inducers.","authors":"Gulzar A Rather, Dana Ayzenshtat, Manoj Kumar, Emmanuella Aisemberg, Samuel Bocobza","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03575-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03575-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>This study introduces a streamlined transgenic method for generating haploid inducers using a single T-DNA construct, combining CENH3 disruption, functional complementation, and a visual marker for efficient haploid screening. The development of doubled haploid lines is crucial for plant breeding programs, but conventional inbreeding methods are laborious and costly. Centromere-mediated genome elimination using modified CENH3 histones offers an efficient single-generation approach to induce haploidy. However, this approach necessitates the generation of haploid inducer lines, which typically involves cumbersome random mutagenesis screens. In this study, we implemented a transgenic strategy to circumvent this and directly create haploid inducers in Arabidopsis. This was achieved by knocking out endogenous AtCENH3 using CRISPR/Cas while complementing it with mutated AtCENH3 variants on the same T-DNA. Four constructs with truncated or full-length AtCENH3 harboring the G83E mutation alone or with the L130F mutation, and one negative control without mutations, were transformed into Arabidopsis. Stable homozygous transgenic lines were obtained and pollinated with a glabra mutant (Atgl1). Progenies lacking RFP fluorescence and exhibiting a glabrate phenotype were recovered, and flow cytometry analyses showed their haploidy, suggesting genome elimination. Comparatively, the G83E variants showed the highest haploid induction rate. This transgenic approach directly generated haploid inducer lines in Arabidopsis while avoiding random mutagenesis. This novel transgenic strategy provides a powerful tool to rapidly establish haploid inducer lines in additional transformable crops.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"182"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144732910","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":"Genome-wide analysis of KCS family in Medicago reveals MsKCS5's crucial role in abiotic stress adaptation.","authors":"Yuwei Li, Xiaohan Chen, Huantao Wang, Xiaoyu Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03571-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03571-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Bioinformatics analysis identified 46 KCS genes in two Medicago species, linking their function to abiotic stresses with MsKCS5 enhancing yeast stress viability. The β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) family, encoding pivotal rate-limiting enzymes for very-long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, plays an indispensable role in plant cuticular wax formation. These hydrophobic layers constitute vital physical barriers that prevent water loss and pathogen penetration while simultaneously participating in stress signal transduction. Through comprehensive genome-wide analysis, 46 KCS genes were identified and characterized from two Medicago species: 19 in Medicago sativa and 27 in Medicago truncatula. Collinearity analysis further delineated the evolutionary trajectory of KCS genes, identifying tandem duplication events as a key driver of family diversification. Conserved motif architecture and exon-intron organization analyses demonstrated significant structural conservation within phylogenetic subgroups, suggesting functional coherence among paralogs. Promoter cis-element profiling uncovered an enrichment of stress-responsive and developmental regulatory motifs, aligning with the dual physiological roles of KCS genes. Transcriptomic analysis combined with RT-qPCR validation revealed differential expression patterns of alfalfa KCS members under drought, salinity, and cold stress, implicating their roles in abiotic stress adaptation. Subcellular localization assays via tobacco transient expression systems confirmed the plasma membrane targeting of MsKCS5, consistent with its putative function in extracellular wax deposition. Functional complementation assays in yeast heterologous expression systems revealed that MsKCS5 rescued stress-sensitive phenotypes, thereby verifying its conserved function in abiotic stress response mechanisms. This multi-omics framework elucidates the evolutionary dynamics and stress-responsive regulatory networks of KCS genes while identifying high-priority candidates for targeted genetic engineering to improve cuticular wax-mediated stress resilience in legume crops.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"181"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144718326","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":"ZmMYB155 is involved in starch synthesis and basal endosperm transfer layer development in maize.","authors":"Quanzhi Li, Jiahui Wang, Ao Zhou, Yuxin Guo, Jingtao Li, Yu Ji, Li Cheng, Changyou Yu, Long Wang, Chengyun Wu, Jiandong Wu","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03569-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03569-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>ZmMYB155 acts as an important regulatory factor in starch synthesis and BETL development in maize. Starch synthesis is a critical process determining both the grain quality and quantity of a crop. The basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) plays a crucial role in nutrient transport and defense against pathogens. However, the regulation of this process in maize remains elusive. This study demonstrated that ZmMYB155 is involved in starch synthesis and BETL development in maize kernels. ZmMYB155 is highly expressed in the maize endosperm. ZmMYB155 is a typical R2R3-MYB transcription factor that localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Compared to those of the control, the myb155 mutant displayed reduced seed size, starch, amylose, and amylopectin contents, and increased soluble sugars. Abnormal starch chain length distribution was also observed in the myb155 mutant. Furthermore, BETL development defects were observed in the myb155 mutant. In line with this, a significant decrease in the expression levels of starch synthesis pathway and BETL-specific genes was detected in the myb155 mutant. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ZmMYB155 acts as an important regulatory factor in starch synthesis and BETL development in maize.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"180"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144708528","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":"Unveiling the evolution of VIP1 subgroup bZIP transcription factors in plants and the positive effects of BdiVIP1A on heat stress response in Brachypodium distachyon.","authors":"Min Jiang, Yuxin Zhang, Yiying Liao, Yiqing Gong, Ji Yang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03572-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03572-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Plant VIP1 subgroup bZIPs have been characterized, VIP1 orthologs were angiosperm-specific; BdiVIP1A localized in the nucleus and increased plant heat tolerance. In plants, group I basic region/leucine zipper motif (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs), particularly VIP1 and its close homologs (the VIP1 subgroup), play crucial roles in vascular development and osmosensory responses. However, the ancestral origins and evolutionary processes underlying their functional diversity across plant lineages remain poorly understood. In this study, we delve into the origin of VIP1 subgroup bZIP homologs to an ancestral lineage present in charophytes, predating the emergence of land plants. Our phylogenetic analysis identified five distinct clades (A to E), highlighting an early diversification of these genes. Notably, our findings emphasize that VIP1 orthologs represent an angiosperm-specific innovation characterized by dynamic motif gain and/or loss events, as well as relaxed purifying selection, reflecting a unique evolutionary trajectory. Synteny analysis highlights the importance of whole-genome duplication (WGD) events preceding angiosperm divergence in the formation of the bZIP18/bZIP52 group. Codon usage analysis further revealed distinct patterns: monocots exhibited a preference for G3s, C3s, GC3, and overall GC content, whereas dicots showed a tendency toward T3s and A3s. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified a turquoise module significantly associated with the heat stress response, in which BdiVIP1A was identified as a hub gene involved in the response to heat stress in Brachypodium distachyon. Functionally, BdiVIP1A was a nuclear-localized protein that responds to heat stress. Overexpression of BdiVIP1A enhanced thermotolerance by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), thereby effectively scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, this research not only elucidates the functional significance of BdiVIP1A in plant responses to heat stress but also deepens our understanding of the evolutionary history of the VIP1 subgroup bZIP homologs. These findings contribute valuable knowledge to ongoing discussions on plant adaptation and survival strategies in the context of global climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"179"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144708527","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":"\"They ignore social issues\": understanding the diversity of perspectives on plant gene technologies in Indonesia.","authors":"Emily A Buddle, Gloria Fransisca Katharina Lawi, Joan Leach","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03564-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03564-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genome-editing (GE) technologies are often described as a promising tool for improving agricultural crops, alongside their expanding applications in food and medical research. However, as scientific advancements in GE crops accelerate, there is growing concern that these technologies may follow a similar trajectory to genetically modified organisms (GMOs)-where innovation outpaces public engagement, potentially leading to scepticism and resistance. There are also issues with innovation occurring in domains outside of their target locale, particularly where research and development for uses in the Global South is occurring in the Global North. Thus, there is an important opportunity to conduct better community engagement and technology socialisation in diverse locales. For example, in Indonesia, where food sovereignty is a national priority, understanding public and institutional attitudes toward biotechnology is essential for shaping effective policy and regulation. This paper draws on the first qualitative exploration of Indonesia's evolving regulatory landscape for gene technologies. Through interviews and media analysis, we examine the perspectives of key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, advocacy groups, and scientists. A recurring theme in our findings is the challenge of \"socialisation\"-the need for broader public awareness and dialogue about gene technologies, their purpose, and their potential role in Indonesia's agricultural future. We argue that meaningful engagement must occur early in the development process, within the specific social and cultural contexts of Indonesia, to ensure that biotechnology aligns with local needs and values. By integrating social perspectives into regulatory and research agendas, Indonesia can better navigate the complexities of GE crop adoption and governance.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"178"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12283755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691277","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":"Involvement of nitric oxide-mediated cytosolic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in soybean resistance to heavy metal toxicity.","authors":"Junjun Huang, Luyu Wang, Ziyu Jia, Kunxia Cheng, Rongzhi Han, Juanjuan Yu, Huahua Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03565-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03565-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Cytosolic G6PDH contributes to soybean tolerance to heavy metal exposure by alleviating oxidative damage, and in this process, nitric oxide may act upstream of cytosolic G6PDH. Heavy metal (HM) pollution in soil significantly impairs agricultural production and represents a substantial risk to food security. However, the underlying mechanism by which glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH or G6PD, EC 1.1.1.49) alleviates HM toxicity needs further clarification. In this study, the role of G6PDH in mitigating the toxicity of HMs (chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury) was examined in soybean (Glycine max L.) using pharmacological and transgenic approaches. The findings indicate that the enhanced G6PDH activity observed during HM exposure was attributable to cytosolic G6PDH induction. HM stress induced the expression of cytosolic G6PDH genes (GmG6PD6, GmG6PD7, and GmG6PD8), particularly GmG6PD7. Overexpression of GmG6PD7 in soybean hairy roots enhanced G6PDH activity and HM tolerance. The addition of a G6PDH inhibitor during HM exposure markedly reduced the levels of NADPH, ascorbic acid (ASA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in soybean roots, thereby exacerbating oxidative damage. In contrast, overexpression of GmG6PD7 significantly increased the contents of NADPH, ASA, and GSH in transgenic soybean roots under HM exposure, thereby alleviating oxidative damage. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) stimulated an elevation in cytosolic G6PDH activity and GmG6PD7 expression under HM exposure. Notably, G6PDH demonstrated comparable functionality in response to all five HMs examined. In summary, the NO-mediated induction of cytosolic G6PDH enhances soybean resistance to HM exposure through strengthening the antioxidant defense system.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"177"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675508","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":"Promoting L-theanine accumulation in Camellia sinensis through irrigation with Pseudomonas knackmussii.","authors":"Gang Zhou, Junchen Feng, Siran Yu, Ping Li","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03556-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03556-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>We isolated endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas knackmussii from Camellia sinensis and identified its L-theanine synthesis-related gene, CDF86904.1. Irrigation with endophytic bacteria significantly increased the L-theanine content of tea plants. The presence of L-theanine in tea enhances its sensory attributes and mitigates the bitterness caused by polyphenols and caffeine. The low L-theanine content in summer and autumn teas, which is < 1% of their dry weight, is a key factor in their inferior taste. Our study successfully enhanced L-theanine levels in tea plants by irrigating them with endophytic bacteria. The Pseudomonas knackmussii isolated from tea plants is notable for its outstanding ability to synthesize L-theanine, using ethylamine to produce 201.4 μM of L-theanine. Our study identified the key gene responsible for the biosynthesis of L-theanine in P. knackmussii to be CDF86904.1 (L-glutamine synthetase, GS). We found that P. knackmussii can penetrate nearly all tea plant tissues and has excellent colonization ability. Additionally, irrigation of Baiye No.1 tea seedlings with both ethylamine and endophytes for 7 days resulted in top leaves exhibiting an L-theanine content of 58.5 mg/g dry weight. This represents a notable increase compared to 37.8 mg/g dry weight with only ethylamine and 15.4 mg/g dry weight with solely water. Surprisingly, after irrigating the tea plants with a combination of endophytic bacteria and ethylamine, the L-theanine content of the third tea leaf was 131.7 mg/g dry weight after 14 days. This study reveals the significant potential of endophytic bacteria in tea plants to increase L-theanine content, providing empirical evidence for improving tea quality and demonstrating important theoretical and practical significance in tea production.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"175"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144626962","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":"The function of TaWOX14 in wheat genetic transformation.","authors":"Dan Wang, Yajie Guo, Mengtian Liu, Huiyun Liu","doi":"10.1007/s00299-025-03545-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00299-025-03545-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Key message: </strong>Overexpression of TaWOX14 can significantly improve the genetic transformation and genome editing efficiencies of some wheat immature embryos, and TaPLD serves as a promising candidate gene for haploid induction in wheat. Genetic transformation and genome editing systems have the potential for accelerating the breeding process in crops. However, their effectiveness is often limited by the regeneration efficiency of explants. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) family, a group of plant-specific transcription factors, plays a crucial role in somatic embryogenesis. In wheat, WOX genes are categorized into three clades: ancient, intermediate, and WUS. In this study, we systematically analyzed the function of the WUS clade genes in wheat transformation. Our results demonstrated that overexpression of TaWOX14 significantly improved genetic transformation efficiencies in several wheat genotypes, including Fielder, Kenong199, Zhengmai7698, and Yangmai13. Furthermore, by combining the CRISPR-Cas9 system with TaWOX14, we observed enhanced genome editing efficiency in the wheat variety Fielder. Additionally, we explored the potential of TaPLD as a candidate gene for haploid induction in wheat. Based on the amino acid sequence of Zea mays PHOSPHOLIPASE D3 (ZmPLD3), we edited its homologs in wheat and identified a TaPLD-edited plant with a ploidy level intermediate between haploid and hexaploid. Overall, these findings are expected to accelerate the wheat breeding process by improving genetic transformation efficiency and identifying a potential haploid induction gene. Future research will focus on further characterizing the mechanisms of TaWOX14 and TaPLD, and exploring their applications in breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20204,"journal":{"name":"Plant Cell Reports","volume":"44 8","pages":"176"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12259795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144637859","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}