{"title":"Alternaria alternata Effector Aa593 Promotes Virulence by Hijacking the CmNAC29-Mediated Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis Pathway in Chrysanthemum.","authors":"Boxiao Dong,Ye Liu,Zheng Gao,Gan Huang,Fengfan Gao,Qi Wang,Zhiyong Guan,Sumei Chen,Fadi Chen,Jiafu Jiang,Weimin Fang","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70388","url":null,"abstract":"The interaction between plants and pathogens has long been an actively researched field of plant immunity. In this study, we found an Aa593/CmNAC29-CmNCED3 module associated with the interaction between chrysanthemum and the fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata. Here, we identified a transcription factor, CmNAC29, in chrysanthemum that promotes abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis by directly regulating CmNCED3, a key rate-limiting enzyme gene for ABA synthesis, thereby determining the susceptibility of plants to A. alternata. On invading plants, pathogens secrete effectors that contribute to regulating plant immune responses. Interestingly, we screened a novel effector, Aa593, secreted by A. alternata that targets CmNAC29 in the plant cell nucleus. By interacting with CmNAC29 and thus enhancing its transcriptional activation activity, Aa593 promotes ABA biosynthesis and subsequently weakens plant resistance to A. alternata. Furthermore, genetic transformation assays indicated Aa593 contributes to the virulence of A. alternata. Our findings in this study have enabled us to elucidate how fungal effectors target plant hormone signalling pathways to promote their virulence and lay the theoretical foundations for further studies on the pathogenic mechanism of necrotrophic fungi.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145189199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiayi Xing,Huanhuan Xu,Mifeng Bai,Yundan Cong,Huiying Liu,Yongqin Wang
{"title":"Loss-of-Function Mutation in CER2-LIKE1 Reduced Accumulation of Cuticular Wax and Susceptibility to Thrips in Welsh Onion.","authors":"Jiayi Xing,Huanhuan Xu,Mifeng Bai,Yundan Cong,Huiying Liu,Yongqin Wang","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70387","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70387","url":null,"abstract":"Cuticular waxes can form a hydrophobic barrier on aerial plant surfaces, which is essential for mediating plant-environment interactions by providing protection against both biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a cuticular wax mutant (gl) was identified and characterised in Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.), exhibiting a functional deficiency in AfCER2-LIKE1. Loss of AfCER2-LIKE1 function was attributed to a retrotransposon insertion in the promoter region and a frameshift mutation in the coding sequence. In the mutant gl, the loss of function of AfCER2-LIKE1 (AfCER2- LIKE1gl) leads to a significant reduction in wax components above C28. Further analysis of yeast heterologous expression showed that AfCER2-LIKE1gl is unable to form a complex with AfKCS11 (3-ketocyl-CoA, KCS), regulating the elongation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) from C28 to C30. Furthermore, the mutant gl showed enhanced resistance to thrips infestation, which served as an observation validated by both field trials and controlled laboratory experiments. Collectively, these findings elucidate the role of CER2-LIKE1 in regulating VLCFA biosynthesis in Welsh onion and provide insight into the association between cuticular wax and insect resistance. These results offer a theoretical basis for the development of thrips-resistant germplasm through molecular breeding strategies and suggest potential applications for crop improvement.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan Wang,Wenxin Peng,Zhicheng Jia,Xinru Su,Tianqi Zhu,Zhenzhen Liu,Shoujiang Sun,Jinyu Shi,Manli Li,Liru Dou,Peisheng Mao
{"title":"MsWRKY49 Modulates Pollen Tube Elongation in Response to Boron Deficiency by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis in Alfalfa.","authors":"Juan Wang,Wenxin Peng,Zhicheng Jia,Xinru Su,Tianqi Zhu,Zhenzhen Liu,Shoujiang Sun,Jinyu Shi,Manli Li,Liru Dou,Peisheng Mao","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70366","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70366","url":null,"abstract":"Boron, an essential micronutrient, plays a crucial role in plant reproductive processes. Boron deficiency is widespread in many regions and significantly reduces alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seed yield, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its impact on reproductive organ development remain elusive. This study found that boron deficiency inhibited alfalfa pollen tube elongation and was accompanied by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the pollen tube. The application of exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ascorbic acid (AsA) indicated that maintaining ROS homeostasis was crucial for boron-mediated pollen tube elongation. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis and expression pattern analysis, MsWRKY49 was identified as a central regulator responding to low boron. Transgenic analysis showed that mswrky49 mutants alleviated the pollen tube phenotype and reduced ROS accumulation under low boron conditions, while overexpression of MsWRKY49 in alfalfa pollen tubes led to boron sensitivity declining and ROS accumulation. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that several antioxidant-related genes were significantly downregulated in the MsWRKY49-OE lines. Yeast one-hybrid and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that MsWRKY49 suppressed the expression of MsAPX1, MsGSTU19, MsNADH and MsCu/Zn-SOD, thereby potentially leading to ROS overaccumulation and inhibiting pollen tube elongation. Our results reveal that MsWRKY49 inhibits pollen tube elongation under low-boron conditions by promoting ROS accumulation, providing a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanism by which boron deficiency causes the decline of seed yield in alfalfa.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145140192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Natural Variation of a PPR Coding Gene SST1 Confers Salt Tolerance During Soybean Domestication.","authors":"Hui Wang,Huifang Yuan,Yadi Wang,Weikang Xi,Xiaodi Wang,Ruiheng Tang,Qi Xu,Jiaying Li,Dongxu Liu,Qingyong Yang,Xutong Wang,Fanjiang Kong,Baohui Liu,Xia Li,Zhijuan Wang","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70382","url":null,"abstract":"Soil salinity is one of the constraints that adversely affect seedling growth and limit soybean yield. Identifying salt tolerance genes and profiling their allele variants are crucial for elucidating the mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in soybean and enabling the genetic improvement of salt-tolerant cultivars. Here, we developed a salt-induced leaf senescence-based screening system to assess salt tolerance and identified a key salt tolerance gene, SST1, which encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein, via genome-wide association analysis. We showed that the truncated allele SST1HapT, which has a nonsense mutation, increases salt tolerance in soybean, whereas the full-length allele SST1HapC does not. Located in mitochondria, SST1 regulates RNA editing of the mitochondrial genes cob, nad3 and atp6-1, thereby influencing mitochondrial morphology and H2O2 homeostasis in root cells. SST1 is an adaptive domestication-related gene; the truncated SST1HapT allele is exclusively fixed in cultivated soybean but absent in wild soybean, indicating selection under increasing soil salinity during domestication. Furthermore, our results revealed that SST1 regulates salt tolerance by synergistic interaction with GmCHX1, a pivotal salt tolerance gene unselected during domestication. Our findings provide valuable insights into soybean domestication and offer targets for enhancing soybean salt tolerance.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"154 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145133914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiajia Li,Qifei Gao,Yi Quan,Ruo He Yin,Boyang Liu,Yang Hu,Song Tao Jiu,Bin Han,Ying Zhang,Jiayu Han,Shuli Han,Dinghan Guo,Chao Ma,Caixi Zhang,Lei Wang,Shiping Wang
{"title":"VvERF045 Integrates Ethylene, Brassinosteroid and Abscisic Acid Pathways to Orchestrate Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Grapevine.","authors":"Jiajia Li,Qifei Gao,Yi Quan,Ruo He Yin,Boyang Liu,Yang Hu,Song Tao Jiu,Bin Han,Ying Zhang,Jiayu Han,Shuli Han,Dinghan Guo,Chao Ma,Caixi Zhang,Lei Wang,Shiping Wang","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70381","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70381","url":null,"abstract":"Anthocyanin biosynthesis in non-climacteric grape berries is regulated through coordinated phytohormonal signalling networks. However, the precise mechanisms by which abscisic acid (ABA), brassinosteroids (BRs) and ethylene (ET) synergistically modulate this process remain unclear. In this study, we identified the ET-responsive transcription factor VvERF045 as a critical integrator mediating the crosstalk among ET, BR and ABA pathways, thereby regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Mechanistically, VvERF045 physically interacts with its R2R3-MYB partner, VvMYB62, to co-activate the structural genes (SGs) involved in anthocyanin, BR and ABA biosynthesis pathways, including VvUFGT, VvDFR, VvDWF4, VvCPD, VvZEP/ABA1, thus collaboratively redirecting metabolic resources toward the production of anthocyanin, BR and ABA, respectively. Notably, ET significantly enhances the activity of VvERF045, suggesting a potential regulatory hierarchy wherein both BR-dependent and ABA-dependent berry pigmentation may be contingent on upstream ET perception. Collectively, our findings provide insights into how non-climacteric grape fruits temporally coordinate phytohormone pathways for colouration, revealing VvERF045 as a central regulator that bridges ET sensing to BR-mediated and ABA-mediated anthocyanin accumulation.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ZmMYB127 Modulates Maize Kernel Texture and Size by Integrating the Synthesis of Starch, Zein Proteins and Auxin.","authors":"Tiandan Long,Yayun Wang,Zhou Liu,Yongbin Wang,Changqing Mao,Dening Wang,Aying Qin,Qiang Liao,Jin Yang,Xiujun Fan,Lei Gao,Yufeng Hu,Jing Wang,Yubi Huang,Yangping Li","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70384","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70384","url":null,"abstract":"Kernel texture is an important agronomic trait that determines the end-uses of maize kernels and affects their integrity at harvest and susceptibility to pests and diseases. The ratio of the vitreous endosperm (RVE) is the key index for assessing kernel texture, and identifying key genes involved in its formation is crucial for maize breeding. Here, through genome-wide association study (GWAS), haplotype analysis and transgenic kernels phenotyping, we characterised ZmMYB127, an endosperm-specific R2R3-MYB transcription factor, which positively regulates vitreous endosperm (VE) formation. ZmMYB127 is preferentially expressed in VE cells during the filling stage and antagonistically regulates zein protein and starch synthesis in the endosperm. Notably, ZmMYB127 interacts with OPAQUE2 (O2) to synchronously transactivate genes encoding α-zein proteins and interacts with prolamin-box binding factor 1 (PBF1) to additively suppress genes involved in starch synthesis, thereby governing kernel texture. Moreover, ZmMYB127 negatively regulates genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis in the endosperm, affecting endosperm development and size, thereby linking the function of ZmMYB127 to kernel size. In conclusion, our study unravels the transcription factor ZmMYB127 that modulates kernel texture and size by integrating regulation of starch, zein and auxin synthesis pathways in maize endosperm. Additionally, our findings provide valuable genetic resources for breeding or engineering maize varieties with improved kernel texture and quality.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"90 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145127108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High‐Efficiency and Eco‐Friendly Management of Multiple Fungal Diseases by a Novel Carbon Dots sCDP Delivered RNA Nano‐Pesticides","authors":"Chunhao Jiang, Jijie Cui, Yumeng Wang, Ziyi Zhang, Yi Yang, Tao Tang, Junjie Wang, Daijing Li, Zihan Zhao, Kuaibing Wang, Dongdong Niu","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70378","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70378","url":null,"abstract":"RNA‐based pesticides represent a transformative approach in agricultural disease management, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fungicides. However, key challenges such as rapid RNA degradation in the environment and inefficient uptake hinder widespread adoption. Nanocarriers have the potential to significantly enhance RNA delivery efficiency and stability, which holds great promise for developing eco‐friendly strategies in crop protection. Here, we developed a novel multicomponent nano‐biopesticide platform utilising novel polyethyleneimine‐modified carbon dots (sCDP) for dsRNA delivery. It was demonstrated that sCDP forms stable electrostatic complexes with dsRNA (sCDP‐dsRNA), conferring dual protective advantages and enhanced RNA stability with extended foliar persistence exceeding 14 days. Moreover, the sCDP can significantly reduce the contact angle of dsRNA on the leaf surface, and the complexation of sCDP with dsRNA remarkably enhances uptake efficiency into plant leaves and pathogens' mycelium, thereby enhancing plant protection of RNA pesticides. Additionally, sCDP exhibits good biocompatibility and low toxicity against pathogens and plants. Finally, it was demonstrated that sCDP‐dsRNA complexes showed significant efficacy in preventing and treating rice sheath blight, both in laboratory and field conditions. Moreover, the platform demonstrated broad‐spectrum antifungal activity against four major pathogens including <jats:italic>Aspergillus niger</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Botrytis cinerea</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Magnaporthe oryzae,</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Phakopsora pachyr</jats:italic> under different conditions. Thus, this nanoplatform establishes an efficient and environmentally sustainable crop protection paradigm by synergizing the precision of RNA interference with enhanced delivery capabilities.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145116209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shasha Li, Patrick J. Horn, Meijuan Zhang, Guanqiang Zuo, Yi Wang, Xiping Deng, Lina Yin, Shiwen Wang
{"title":"Rice MGD1‐Mediated Improvement of Photosynthesis and Crop Yield by Flexible Adaptation to Different Light Conditions","authors":"Shasha Li, Patrick J. Horn, Meijuan Zhang, Guanqiang Zuo, Yi Wang, Xiping Deng, Lina Yin, Shiwen Wang","doi":"10.1111/pbi.70380","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70380","url":null,"abstract":"Flexible adaptation to different light intensities found in natural environments is crucial for efficient photosynthesis and yield production in crops. The ability to cope with suboptimal light conditions effectively and efficiently is clearly advantageous. In this study, increased photosynthetic ability, biomass accumulation, grain yield and high membrane lipid contents were observed in <jats:italic>OsMGD1</jats:italic>‐overexpression plants of rice and tobacco under both low and high light conditions. Further exploration of the photosynthetic performance and xanthophyll cycle‐dependent photoprotection in these transgenic plants revealed that under low light conditions, the overexpression lines maintained high levels of chlorophyll content and light harvesting capability, leading to a high photosynthetic quantum yield. While under high light conditions, the de‐epoxidation status of xanthophyll cycle pigments was higher in the overexpression plants, leading to sufficient photoprotection and reduced photo‐oxidative damage, resulting in an increased electron transport rate. These results indicate that <jats:italic>OsMGD1</jats:italic> is involved in regulating photosynthetic processes when plants are exposed to different light intensities, providing an effective strategy for achieving improved photosynthesis and crop production under variable light conditions in nature.","PeriodicalId":221,"journal":{"name":"Plant Biotechnology Journal","volume":"79 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145116548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}