Plant Stress最新文献

{"title":"Salt stress in wheat: A Physiological and Genetic Perspective","authors":"Shams ur Rehman ,&nbsp;Jinwei Yang ,&nbsp;Jing Zhang ,&nbsp;Lijun Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaohua Hao ,&nbsp;Rui Song ,&nbsp;Shisheng Chen ,&nbsp;Guiping Wang ,&nbsp;Lei Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100832","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100832","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salt stress pose a significant abiotic challenge affecting wheat production globally, posing a threat to food security. Despite the inherent physiological and biochemical mechanisms in salinity-tolerant plants, progress in developing resilient, widely accessible wheat cultivars remains limited due to genetic complexity, environmental variability and resource constraints. The aim of this review is to present a thorough and original synthesis of the current state-of-knowledge on the physiological, biochemical and genetic factors behind wheat resistance to salt stress. Through an analysis of current developments in genetic engineering, molecular breeding, and conventional breeding, we identify promising approaches to improve wheat resistance to salt stress. Moving forward, the application of cutting-edge genomic techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 and genomic selection to precisely target and modify genes involved in salt tolerance are discussed. Finally, we highlight research gaps and suggest future directions for improving wheat resilience to salinity. Researchers, agronomists and policy makers seeking to enhance wheat production and sustainable farming under salt stress circumstances might benefit greatly from this review.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100832"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Auxin-induced WRKY23 activates PECTIN LYASE-LIKE1 and PECTIN LYASE-LIKE3 for apoplastic iron reutilization in Arabidopsis roots","authors":"Yuzhen Zhang ,&nbsp;Lihong Hong ,&nbsp;Xiaoya Feng ,&nbsp;Ru'nan Huang ,&nbsp;Li Huang ,&nbsp;Yuhuan Wu ,&nbsp;Weiwei Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The retention and reutilization of apoplastic iron (Fe) are essential for Fe homeostasis in plants, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we characterized the role of WRKY23, a nucleus-localized transcription factor, in regulating apoplastic Fe retention and reutilization in response to Fe deficiency in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em>. Under Fe deficiency, the induction of <em>WRKY23</em> expression is modulated by local auxin signaling. Once activated, WRKY23 then influenced Fe homeostasis by regulating pectin metabolism and Fe-binding capacity in the cell wall. Notably, WRKY23 could directly bind to W-box motifs in the promoters of target genes, including <em>PECTIN LYASE-LIKE1</em> (<em>PLL1</em>) and <em>PLL3</em>, activating their transcription. Collectively, our findings support a model in which WRKY23 functions as part of a transcriptional cascade, whereby auxin signaling promotes the role of WRKY23 in regulating pectin degradation and enhancing Fe retention and reutilization in the apoplast, thereby negatively modulating Fe deficiency responses in roots. This research deepens our understanding of plant responses to nutritional stress and may inform strategies for improving crop resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100830"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143739753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating frost response, rootstock-dependent cold tolerance, and floral bud mortality in apple cultivars through transcriptomic insights","authors":"Amolpreet Kaur Saini ,&nbsp;Khalil R. Jahed ,&nbsp;Deisiany F. Neres ,&nbsp;Robert C. Wright ,&nbsp;Sherif M. Sherif","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100829","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100829","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Late spring frosts threaten the productivity of deciduous fruit trees. In this study, we investigated frost tolerance in two apple (<em>Malus domestica</em> Borkh.) cultivars, ‘Fuji’ and ‘Gala’, grafted onto ten different rootstocks, over the springs of 2021–2023, to elucidate cold-responsive genes and regulatory mechanisms. Trees on the ‘B.9’ rootstock exhibited superior frost tolerance, with lower floral bud mortality compared to the susceptible ‘M.26’. Using RNA-sequencing, we analyzed floral buds (‘Gala’), scion leaves (‘Gala’), and rootstock sucker leaves (B9, M26). Samples were collected 12 h before and 6 h after a natural frost event in April 2021. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive transcriptional changes, with 4549 genes upregulated and 5469 downregulated. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified three significant modules based on module eigengenes (ME 6, ME 7, and ME 9) associated with the frost response. The ME 6 and ME 7 modules comprised 1210 and 1011 genes, respectively, while the ME 9 module included 163 genes, of which 6 were differentially expressed post-frost. Applying a 90 % module eigengene connectivity threshold, we identified key hub genes, including <em>MdAFP</em> (ABI five binding protein 3), <em>MdCBF4</em> (C-repeat-binding factor 4), <em>MdEXP8</em> (Expansin A8), <em>MdHSFC1</em> (Heat shock transcription factor C1), <em>MdHXXXD</em> (HXXXD/BAHD-type acyl-transferase family protein), <em>MdLRR-RK</em> (Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase), <em>MdRPK2</em> (Receptor-like protein kinase 2), and <em>MdWBC11</em> (White-Brown Complex homolog/ABC transporter protein). These findings elucidate the genetic basis of frost resilience in apple rootstocks and pinpoint potential targets for genetic enhancement of frost tolerance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100829"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elicitor-induced stilbene production and lignin reduction in peanut hairy roots: Insights from transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis","authors":"Apinun Limmongkon ,&nbsp;Phadtraphorn Chayjarung ,&nbsp;Chanyanut Pankaew ,&nbsp;Sompop Pinit ,&nbsp;Nitra Nuengchamnong ,&nbsp;Chonnikan Tothong","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100823","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100823","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Secondary metabolites are crucial for plant defense. This study investigates the time-dependent transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of peanut hairy root cultures to a combined elicitor treatment of chitosan (CHT), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and cyclodextrin (CD). Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), particularly stilbenes and phenolic/flavonoid compounds, increased significantly compared to the baseline group. Phenolic, flavonoid, and stilbene levels rose, while lignin content decreased over time. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of key genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, including <em>PAL, C4H,</em> and <em>4CL</em>, which correlated with elevated levels of hydroxybenzoic acid and related compounds. Genes involved in stilbene biosynthesis, such as <em>STS, ROMT, R4DT-1</em>, and <em>R3’DT-4</em>, as well as flavonoid biosynthesis genes, including <em>CHS, CHI, F3H, CHR, FLS</em>, and <em>UGT72E</em>, were also upregulated, corresponding to the accumulation of their respective metabolites. In contrast, lignin biosynthesis genes, such as <em>HCT, CSE, CCoAOMT, CCR, CAD,</em> and <em>POD</em>, were downregulated, while lignin-degrading genes were upregulated. This was further supported by tissue staining results and the reduction of lignin content during the elicitation period. The shift from lignin synthesis to degradation underscores a redirection of metabolic flux toward the production of defense-related secondary metabolites, particularly stilbenes, phenolics, and flavonoids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100823"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High night temperature disrupts the assimilate utilization and yield potential in soybean","authors":"Lekshmy V. Sankarapillai ,&nbsp;Bikash Adhikari ,&nbsp;Mohan K. Bista ,&nbsp;Amrit Shrestha ,&nbsp;Salliana R. Stetina ,&nbsp;K. Raja Reddy ,&nbsp;Raju Bheemanahalli","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing high nighttime temperatures (HNT) during cropping seasons significantly impact soybean yields, highlighting the need to prioritize HNT tolerance in breeding. This study quantified the response of seventeen soybean genotypes to HNT during both reproductive and vegetative stages, offering a promising opportunity to improve HNT tolerance in soybeans. A 4.8 °C increase in nighttime temperature during the reproductive stage significantly reduced daytime transpiration (17 %) and stomatal conductance (30 %), resulting in a 21 % decrease in photosynthesis (<em>A</em>). This led to a complex physiological shift, with a 29 % increase in nighttime respiration (<em>Rd</em>) during the reproductive stage and an 8 % increase during the vegetative stage. The reproductive stage was more vulnerable than the vegetative stage, substantially increasing assimilate use to production (<em>Rd</em>/<em>A</em>). These changes resulted in a 2.8 % reduction in seed yield for every 1 °C rise in nocturnal temperature above 23 °C. At the reproductive stage, <em>Rd/A</em> showed a strong negative correlation with seed yield, while the reduction in seed yield was positively correlated with reduced seed oil (<em>r</em> = 0.55; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) under HNT. Genotypes tolerant to HNT during the reproductive stage maintained a low <em>Rd/A</em> with minimal to no change in seed yield compared to sensitive genotypes. Furthermore, our study revealed a unique hyperspectral signature, showing reduced reflectance, particularly in the water absorption spectral band associated with sensitive genotypes under HNT. Our findings pointed critical physiological checkpoints associated with higher yield and quality under HNT. These results also establish a foundation for developing new heat-proof soybeans for warmer environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100826"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of ASR (ABA, Stress, and Ripening) genes in responses to phosphate starvation in rice roots","authors":"Nicolle Louise Ferreira Barros ,&nbsp;Breno Xavier Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Thomaz Stumpf Trenz ,&nbsp;Paloma Koprovski Menguer ,&nbsp;Lucas Roani Ponte ,&nbsp;Cristiane P.G. Calixto ,&nbsp;Felipe Klein Ricachenevsky ,&nbsp;Marcia Margis-Pinheiro","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100824","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100824","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphorus (P) is a crucial macronutrient for plant growth and development, absorbed by plant roots as inorganic phosphate, which is frequently limited in soil. Plants use only 30 % of the total phosphate fertilizers applied to increase yield. Compared to other nutrients, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in phosphate homeostasis in crops, particularly in the early transcriptional responses to change the root system architecture remain underexplored. Addressing these knowledge gaps requires studies that offer insights into the role of transcription factors in response to endogenous and exogenous signals associated with the nutritional status of crops. ASR (ABA, Stress and Ripening) proteins function as molecular chaperones, transcription factors, and homeostasis sensors. They also regulate the development and response to stress in plants. Our results show that <em>ASR</em> genes play an important role in phosphate homeostasis in rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) roots. Silencing of <em>OsASR</em> genes (OsASR-RNAi plants) delays development of adventitious and lateral roots, and alters the expression of genes associated with root development and the response to phosphate starvation. These findings suggest that <em>OsASR</em> play a role in regulating root system architecture, nutrient perception and signal transduction in rice plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100824"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The interaction between autophagy-related gene FtATG8a and FtE2FB is involved in the drought resistance of Tartary buckwheat","authors":"Shuang Wang ,&nbsp;XueYan Fang ,&nbsp;Chang Zhang,&nbsp;Zhi Shan,&nbsp;XinYu Zhang,&nbsp;Yi Wu,&nbsp;ShuWen Zhang,&nbsp;Tao Wang,&nbsp;Qi Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100821","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100821","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drought significantly limits worldwide crop yields, with autophagy acting as an essential regulatory component in plant adaptation to stress. In Tartary buckwheat, while there has been evidence of autophagosome accumulation and increased levels of <em>FtATG8a</em> due to drought, the molecular pathways governing <em>FtATG8a</em> have not yet been clarified. Our research shows that overexpressing <em>FtATG8a</em> markedly improves drought tolerance in genetically modified plants by synchronizing the activation of autophagy, boosting antioxidant defenses (such as SOD, POD, and CAT), and promoting proline biosynthesis. Through yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified FtE2FB as a nuclear-localized partner that interacts with FtATG8a, with their interaction facilitated by a conserved ATG8-interacting motif (EK<u>F</u>ED<u>I</u>) found in FtE2FB, which was validated using various complementary assays. Importantly, <em>FtE2FB</em> expression demonstrated dual induction patterns in response to drought stress and the overexpression of <em>FtATG8a</em>, indicating a feedback regulatory mechanism. Functional experiments showed that the solitary overexpression of <em>FtE2FB</em> boosts drought resistance via the modulation of the antioxidant system and increased proline levels in <em>Arabidopsis</em>. Additionally, the combined expression of <em>FtATG8a</em> and <em>FtE2FB</em> led to a more substantial rise in both antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content when compared to the overexpression of either <em>FtE2FB</em> or <em>FtATG8a</em> on its own under 20 % PEG6000 treatment. This study clarifies an autophagy-related regulatory network that underpins drought adaptation in Tartary buckwheat, offering valuable mechanistic insights into the coordination of stress responses and highlighting potential molecular targets for enhancing crop improvement strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100821"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143726165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Over-expression analysis of TaDWF4˗4B in mutant wheat lines identifies a candidate regulator of heat stress tolerance","authors":"Liaqat Shah ,&nbsp;Muhammad Saeed ,&nbsp;Muhammad Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Waqas Ahmad ,&nbsp;Abdul Rahman Umar ,&nbsp;Ayan Sohail ,&nbsp;Hongqi Si","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100822","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100822","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat production faces great threat due to rising environmental temperatures resulting from climate change. Here we analyzed a bulk of wheat exotic, elite, synthetic and local wheat lines to evaluate the impact of heat stress on the physiological and biochemical parameters of different genotypes. Mutant susceptible genotypes were generated by treating with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) and its performance was evaluated under normal and heat stress conditions. Based on the heat stress index and yield measurement, the lines were grouped into four classes, i.e. tolerant (T), Susceptible (S), moderately tolerant (MT), and moderately susceptible (MS). The results showed significant impact of heat stress on all parameters of the tested gene pool; however, the affect was less intense on the tolerant lines compared to the other classes. To validate heat stress tolerance, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis and identified eight genes associated with heat tolerance. Among them, <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> showed highest expression under heat stress condition and selected for further functional analysis. Overexpression of <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> in the wheat line ESWYT-4 enhanced heat tolerance. Treatment with 2 μM brassinosteroids (BR) decreased seed germination in the transgenic lines, suggesting that <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> enhances BR response. Endogenous BR contents increased in overexpression lines, along with increasing the expression of several BR biosynthetic pathway genes in overexpression line under heat stress condition. Moreover, the overexpression of <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging by increasing the activities of <em>TaCAT3, TaSOD1</em>, and <em>TaGPx1</em>-<em>D</em> under heat stress condition. These findings indicate that <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> plays an important role in regulating BR biosynthesis, increasing BR response, and ROS scavenging under heat stress condition. These results present mechanistic insights into the role of <em>TaDWF4˗4B</em> in plant responses under heat stress condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100822"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143726164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elucidation of fruit cracking mechanism in bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa.] using physico-biochemical and de novo transcriptomic approaches","authors":"Vasanth Vinayak Vara Prasad ,&nbsp;V.B. Patel ,&nbsp;M.K. Dhakar ,&nbsp;Bikash Das ,&nbsp;Sujit Kumar Bishi ,&nbsp;V.P. Bhadana ,&nbsp;G.P. Mishra ,&nbsp;Vishal Mhetre ,&nbsp;S.K. Singh ,&nbsp;Vishal Nath ,&nbsp;Ram Asrey ,&nbsp;Devendra Pandey","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100819","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100819","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fruit cracking in Bael [<em>Aegle marmelos</em> (L) Correa.] is a major physiological disorder which is influenced by factors like water stress, nutrient deficiency, and environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify key biochemical constituents, genes, and pathways affecting fruit cracking using physical, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses. Bael genotypes were categorized into three groups based on cracking incidence as tolerant (0 % cracking), moderately tolerant (&gt;0–30 % cracking), and susceptible (&gt;30 % cracking). Three genotypes from each category were selected for further analysis. Biochemical profiling revealed that total flavonoids, antioxidants, vanillic acid and soluble carbohydrates were predominant in the cracking-susceptible genotypes, while calcium and boron levels were significantly lower in these genotypes. Transcriptomic analysis using susceptible (Pant Aparna) and tolerant genotypes (ICAR-RCER 8–5) identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with cell wall and polysaccharide metabolism, phenolics and flavonoid biosynthesis, plant hormone biosynthesis and signaling, nutrient transport. Interestingly, aquaporin-encoding genes were found significantly upregulated in the cracking stage, while genes involved in MAPK signaling showed higher expression in the susceptible genotype. These transcriptomic changes were corroborated by biochemical findings, reinforcing their role in bael fruit cracking susceptibility. The insights gained from this study provide a foundation for developing cracking-tolerant bael cultivars and formulating management strategies to mitigate fruit cracking in bael.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100819"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143726166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptomic and ultrastructural insights into zinc-induced hormesis in wheat seedlings: Glutathione-mediated antioxidant defense in zinc toxicity regulation","authors":"Qiujuan Jiao ,&nbsp;Lina Fan ,&nbsp;Huihong Zhang ,&nbsp;Jingjing Zhang ,&nbsp;Ying Jiang ,&nbsp;Jin Yang ,&nbsp;Gezi Li ,&nbsp;Shah Fahad ,&nbsp;Evgenios Agathokleous ,&nbsp;Yinglong Chen ,&nbsp;Ajaz Ahmad ,&nbsp;Parvaiz Ahmad ,&nbsp;Shiliang Liu ,&nbsp;Haitao Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100820","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stress.2025.100820","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zinc (Zn), an essential nutrient element, exhibits hormesis in plants-beneficial at low doses but toxic at high concentrations. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this hormetic response with low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition in wheat, we conducted transcriptomic analysis under different Zn treatments. Low Zn concentration (50 μM) promoted plant growth by maintaining chlorophyll content, enhancing MAPK signaling, phytohormone signaling, glutathione metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis. High Zn concentration (500 μM) induced ultrastructural damage and suppressed photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, and secondary metabolisms, while upregulating glutathione metabolism. Molecular docking revealed that hydrogen bonds between Zn and antioxidant enzymes facilitated reactive oxygen species scavenging. Notably, exogenous glutathione (GSH) application enhanced wheat tolerance to Zn stress by strengthening the antioxidant defense system and improving photosynthetic capacity. Our findings elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Zn hormesis in wheat and demonstrate the application potential of glutathione in mitigating Zn toxicity, providing strategies for managing Zn-contaminated soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34736,"journal":{"name":"Plant Stress","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100820"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}