Plants-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Joint Analysis Revealing Different Metabolic Pathways and Genes Dynamically Regulating Bitter Gourd (<i>Momordica charantia</i> L.) Fruit Growth and Development in Different Stages.","authors":"Boyin Qiu, Dazhong Li, Qianrong Zhang, Hui Lin, Yongping Li, Qingfang Wen, Haisheng Zhu","doi":"10.3390/plants14142248","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insights into dynamic regulatory factors in various stages of growth and development can guide strategies for precision and targeted breeding. Bitter gourd, as a vegetable product with medicinal value, plays a role in both agricultural and medical fields. In this study, phenotypic observations, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, and differential gene expression patterns, along with a correlation analysis, were conducted in different stages of fruit growth and development. The results revealed that the growth rate of fruit's fresh weight, length, diameter, and flesh thickness during the first seven days was slow, and that it then rapidly increased after the seventh day, and finally slowed once more after 17 days, indicating that the overall process followed a \"slow-fast-slow\" pattern. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified several differentially expressed genes and metabolites, and joint analyses revealed that each of the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, fructose and mannose metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways individually play significant roles in the dynamic regulation of fruit growth and development during the early, middle, and late stages. Among these, 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 12 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were found in these pathways. A total of 12 randomly selected DEGs were analyzed using quantitative PCR, and the results showed that gene expression levels were generally consistent with transcriptomic sequencing results, exhibiting dynamic changes with varying expression levels. Correlation analysis revealed that 11 DEMs were positively correlated with four traits except for arbutin, while eight DEGs were related to all traits, including six significantly positive and two significantly negative correlations. These findings enhance our understanding of the regulatory network governing yield and quality and provide substantial evidence to support improvements in breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12299391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746276","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":"Genetic Improvement and Functional Characterization of AAP1 Gene for Enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize.","authors":"Mo Zhu, Ziyu Wang, Shijie Li, Siping Han","doi":"10.3390/plants14142242","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nitrogen use efficiency remains the primary bottleneck for sustainable maize production. This study elucidates the functional mechanisms of the amino acid transporter <i>ZmAAP1</i> in nitrogen absorption and stress resilience. Through systematic evolutionary analysis of 55 maize inbred lines, we discovered that the <i>ZmAAP1</i> gene family exhibits distinct chromosomal localization (Chr7 and Chr9) and functional domain diversification (e.g., group 10-specific motifs 11/12), indicating species-specific adaptive evolution. Integrative analysis of promoter cis-elements and multi-omics data confirmed the root-preferential expression of ZmAAP1 under drought stress, mediated via the ABA-DRE signaling pathway. To validate its biological role, we generated transgenic maize lines expressing Arabidopsis thaliana <i>AtAAP1</i> via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Three generations of genetic stability screening confirmed the stable genomic integration and root-specific accumulation of the AtAAP1 protein (Southern blot/Western blot). Field trials demonstrated that low-N conditions enhanced the following transgenic traits: the chlorophyll content increased by 13.5%, and the aboveground biomass improved by 7.2%. Under high-N regimes, the gene-pyramided hybrid ZD958 (AAP1 + AAP1) achieved a 12.3% yield advantage over conventional varieties. Our findings reveal <i>ZmAAP1</i>'s dual role in root development and long-distance nitrogen transport, establishing it as a pivotal target for molecular breeding. This study provides actionable genetic resources for enhancing NUE in maize production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12298070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746184","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":"Melatonin Enhances Drought Tolerance by Regulating the Genes Underlying Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Defense in Rubber Tree (<i>Hevea brasiliensis</i>) Seedlings.","authors":"Dejun Li, Zhihui Xia, Xuncheng Wang, Hong Yang, Yao Li","doi":"10.3390/plants14142243","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Melatonin (MT) can enhance plant stress tolerance by activating the internal defense system, but its application in rubber trees has been barely reported up to now. In this study, we found that the relative electrical conductivity (REC), H₂O₂, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were significantly higher in the leaves of rubber tree seedlings under drought stress compared to the control (water treatment), whereas chlorophyll contents were obviously lower in the leaves under drought stress compared to the control. MT partly relieves the aforementioned drought-induced adverse effects by dramatically reducing chlorophyll degradation, H₂O₂ accumulation, MDA content, and REC. Comparative transcriptomes among the PEG (P), MT (M), and PEG + MT (PM) treatments against the control showed that 213, 896, and 944 genes were differently expressed in rubber tree seedlings treated with M, P, and PM in contrast to the control. Among the 64 differently expressed genes (DEGs) being common among the three comparisons, the expression profiles of 25 were opposite in MH compared with PH. Intriguingly, all the KEGG pathways of the DEGs mentioned above belonged to metabolism including energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. Exogenous application of MT mainly regulated the genes associated with photosynthesis and the anti-oxidative defense system, thereby enhancing the antioxidant protection of rubber tree seedlings under drought stress. These results suggest that exogenous melatonin application can effectively enhance drought tolerance by heightening ROS scavenging to decrease H₂O₂ accumulation in rubber tree seedlings. Our results elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MT's roles in drought stress, which help to employ exogenous MT to boost drought tolerance in the rubber tree.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12300362/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746266","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":"Development of Procymidone and Difenoconazole Resistance in <i>Alternaria alternata</i>, the Causal Agent of Kiwifruit Brown Spot Disease.","authors":"Yahui Liu, Manfei Bao, Yanxin Wang, Chuanqing Zhang","doi":"10.3390/plants14142245","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brown spot, caused by <i>Alternaria alternata</i>, is the most important leaf fungal disease threatening kiwifruit production in China, and it is typically controlled through the application of fungicides, such as procymidone and difenoconazole. To date, fungicide resistance development has not yet been systematically reported for the pathogen of kiwifruit. A total of 135 single-conidium <i>A. alternata</i> isolates were collected from different cities in Zhejiang Province, China. <i>Alternaria alternata</i> developed prevailing resistance to procymidone and initial resistance to difenoconazole, with resistance frequencies of 60.7 and 13.3%, respectively. Positive cross-resistance was observed between procymidone and iprodione but not between procymidone and difenoconazole, tebuconazole, prochloraz, pydiflumetofen, pyraclostrobin, or thiophanate-methyl. Moreover, no cross-resistance was observed between difenoconazole and all other tested fungicides, including the two other demethylation inhibitors, tebuconazole and prochloraz. A fitness penalty was not detected in procymidone-resistant (Pro^R) or difenoconazole-resistant (Dif^R) isolates. However, double-resistant (Pro^R Dif^R) isolates had a fitness penalty, showing significantly decreased sporulation, germination, and pathogenicity. The P894L single point mutation, caused by the change from CCA to CTA at the 894th codon of <i>Os1</i>, was detected in Pro^R isolates. Molecular dynamic simulation showed that the P894L mutation significantly decreased the inhibitory activity of procymidone against AaOs1 in <i>A. alternata</i>. These results provide insight into the development and characteristics of fungicide resistance, offering guidance for the study and management of kiwifruit diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12300078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746143","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":"Genome-Wide Identification of <i>G3BP</i> Family in U's Triangle <i>Brassica</i> Species and Analysis of Its Expression in <i>B. napus</i>.","authors":"Alain Tseke Inkabanga, Qiheng Zhang, Shanshan Wang, Yanni Li, Jingyi Chen, Li Huang, Xiang Li, Zihan Deng, Xiao Yang, Mengxin Luo, Lingxia Peng, Keran Ren, Yourong Chai, Yufei Xue","doi":"10.3390/plants14142247","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The RasGAP SH3 domain binding protein (G3BP) is a highly conserved family of proteins in eukaryotic organisms that coordinates signal transduction and post-transcriptional gene regulation and functions in the formation of stress granules. G3BPs have important roles in abiotic/biotic stresses in mammals, and recent research suggests that they have similar functions in higher plants. <i>Brassica</i> contains many important oilseeds, vegetables, and ornamental plants, but there are no reports on the <i>G3BP</i> family in <i>Brassica</i> species. In this study, we identified <i>G3BP</i> family genes from six species of the U's triangle (<i>B. rapa</i>, <i>B. oleracea</i>, <i>B. nigra</i>, <i>B. napus</i>, <i>B. juncea</i>, and <i>B. carinata</i>) at the genome-wide level. We then analyzed their gene structure, protein motifs, gene duplication type, phylogeny, subcellular localization, SSR loci, and upstream miRNAs. Based on transcriptome data, we analyzed the expression patterns of <i>B. napus G3BP</i> (<i>BnaG3BP</i>) genes in various tissues/organs in response to <i>Sclerotinia</i> disease, blackleg disease, powdery mildew, dehydration, drought, heat, cold, and ABA treatments, and its involvement in seed traits including germination, α-linolenic acid content, oil content, and yellow seed. Several <i>BnaG3BP</i> DEGs might be regulated by BnaTT1. The qRT-PCR assay validated the inducibility of two cold-responsive <i>BnaG3BP</i> DEGs. This study will enrich the systematic understanding of <i>Brassica G3BP</i> family genes and lay a molecular basis for the application of <i>BnaG3BP</i> genes in stress tolerance, disease resistance, and quality improvement in rapeseed.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12299536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746191","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":"Bioinformatics and Functional Validation of <i>CqPRX9L1</i> in <i>Chenopodium quinoa</i>.","authors":"Hongxia Guo, Linzhuan Song, Yufa Wang, Li Zhao, Chuangyun Wang","doi":"10.3390/plants14142246","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142246","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As a plant-specific peroxidase family, class III peroxidase (PRX) plays an important role in plant growth, development, and stress response. In this study, a preliminary functional analysis of <i>CqPRX9L1</i> was conducted. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that <i>CqPRX9L1</i> encodes a 349-amino acid protein belonging to the plant-peroxidase-like superfamily, featuring a transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic localization. The promoter region of <i>CqPRX9L1</i> harbors various cis-acting elements associated with stress responses, hormone signaling, light regulation, and meristem-specific expression. The tissue-specific expression pattern of the <i>CqPRX9L1</i> gene and its characteristics in response to different stresses were explored using subcellular localization, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and heterologous transformation into <i>Arabidopsis thaliana.</i> The results showed that CqPRX9L1, with a transmembrane structure, was localized in the cytoplasm, which encodes 349 amino acids and belongs to the plant-peroxisome-like superfamily. The promoter region contains stress-response elements, hormone-response elements, light-response elements, and meristem expression-related elements. The expression of <i>CqPRX9L1</i> was relatively higher in ears and roots at the panicle stage than in stems and leaves. <i>CqPRX9L1</i> showed a dynamic expression pattern of first decreasing and then increasing under abiotic stresses such as 15% PEG 6000, low temperature, and salt damage, with differences in response time and degree. <i>CqPRX9L1</i> plays an important role in response to abiotic stress by affecting the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), as well as the synthesis and decomposition of proline (Pro). <i>CqPRX9L1</i> also affects plant bolting and flowering by regulating key flowering genes (such as FT and AP1) and gibberellin (GA)-related pathways. The results establish a foundation for revealing the functions and molecular mechanisms of the <i>CqPRX9L1</i> gene.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12298830/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746171","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":"Phenotypic Diversity Analysis and Integrative Evaluation of <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Germplasm Resources in Ya'an, Sichuan Province.","authors":"Shiheng Zheng, Qingbo Kong, Hanrui Yan, Junjie Liu, Renke Tang, Lijun Zhou, Hongyu Yang, Xiaoyu Jiang, Shiling Feng, Chunbang Ding, Tao Chen","doi":"10.3390/plants14142249","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142249","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As a unique woody oil crop in China, <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Abel. germplasm resources show significant genetic diversity in Ya'an City. This study measured 60 phenotypic traits (32 quantitative, 28 qualitative) of 302 accessions to analyze phenotypic variation, establish a classification system, and screen high-yield, high-oil germplasms. The phenotypic diversity index for fruit (H' = 1.36-1.44) was significantly higher than for leaf (H' = 1.31) and flower (H' < 1), indicating genetic diversity concentrated in reproductive traits, suggesting potential genetic variability in these traits. Fruit quantitative traits (e.g., single fruit weight CV = 35.37%, fresh seed weight CV = 38.93%) showed high genetic dispersion. Principal component analysis confirmed the fruit factor and economic factor as main phenotypic differentiation drivers. Quantitative traits were classified morphologically, and correlation analysis integrated them into 13 key indicators classified using LSD and range methods. Finally, TOPSIS evaluation selected 10 excellent germplasms like TQ122 and TQ49, with fruit weight, fresh seed yield, and kernel oil content significantly exceeding the population average. This study provides data for <i>C. oleifera</i> DUS test guidelines and proposes a multi-trait breeding strategy, supporting high-yield variety selection and germplasm resource protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12298781/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746195","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":"Genus Datura: An Exploration of Genetic Alterations, Bioactive Compounds, and Pharmacological Activity.","authors":"Khoirunnisa Assidqi, Nesti Fronika Sianipar, Dave Mangindaan, Chukwunwike Uchenna Enyi","doi":"10.3390/plants14142244","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142244","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus <i>Datura</i> L. has pharmacological activities due to its source of bioactive compounds. The effects of bioactive compounds can vary depending on species, geographical location, and environmental conditions. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent progress and to provide a comprehensive overview of studies concerning genetic alteration and bioactive compounds in the genus <i>Datura</i>, based on Scopus publications between 2015 and 2025. Throughout history, the genus <i>Datura</i> (Solanaceae) contains nine species of medicinal plants. A key component of elucidating the diversification process of congeneric species is identifying the factors that encourage species variation. A comparative gene family analysis provides an understanding of the evolutionary history of species by identifying common genetic/genomic mechanisms that are responsible for species responses to biotic and abiotic environments. The diverse range of bioactive compounds it contains contributes to its unique bioactivity. <i>Datura</i> contains tropane alkaloids (such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine), datumetine, withametelin, daturaolone, and atropine. Several compounds have been isolated and refined for use in treating various conditions as a result of recent progress in therapeutic development. Daturaolone, for example, is used to treat certain neurological disorders. In addition to providing renewed opportunities for the discovery of new compounds, these advancements also provide insights into the genetic basis for their biosynthesis. Our discussion also includes pitfalls as well as relevant publications regarding natural products and their pharmacological properties. The pace of discovery of bioactive compounds is set to accelerate dramatically shortly, owing to both careful perspectives and new developments.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12298928/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746208","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":"Species- and Age-Dependent Prenyllipid Accumulation in <i>Hypericum</i> Species' Leaves.","authors":"Danija Lazdiņa, Ieva Miķelsone, Inga Mišina, Krists Dukurs, Ana M Benítez-González, Carla M Stinco, Antonio J Meléndez-Martínez, Paweł Górnaś","doi":"10.3390/plants14142239","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Carotenoid, chlorophyll and tocochromanol biosynthesis and accumulation are interrelated and age-dependent in plants. Model plants produce tocopherols, but do not produce significant amounts of tocotrienols; consequently, the regulation of tocotrienol biosynthesis in plants has been scarcely studied. The <i>Hypericum</i> genus produces a variety of prenyllipids naturally in all parts of the plant, allowing for a glimpse into the relationship between them without genetic or other interference. Consequently, five <i>Hypericum</i> species' leaves of different ages were investigated-<i>H. androsaemum</i>, <i>H. pseudohenryi</i>, <i>H. hookerianum</i>, <i>H. patulum</i> and one hybrid <i>H.</i> × <i>inodorum</i> (<i>H. androsaemum</i> × <i>H. hircinum</i>). The leaves contained predominantly α-tocopherol, γ-tocotrienol and δ-tocotrienol (30.9-212.8, 8.13-22.43 and 1.87-20.8 mg 100 g^-1, respectively). Higher quantities of tocochromanols, a lower chlorophyll content and a higher <i>a</i>/<i>b</i> ratio were observed in the bottom (older) leaves. The predominant carotenoids were lutein (semi-quantitative) and β-carotene (7.60-28.63 and 2.33-12.43 mg 100 g^-1, respectively). Carotenoid contents were lower in bottom leaves than in middle or top leaves, and the highest carotenoid content was observed in <i>H. hookerianum</i> and <i>H. patulum</i>. Leaf tocopherol, tocotrienol, chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation were section and leaf age-dependent, and distinct relationships can be observed between the accumulation of some prenyl lipids, but not others.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12298207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746224","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":"The Role of Potassium and KUP/KT/HAK Transporters in Regulating Strawberry (<i>Fragaria</i> × <i>ananassa</i> Duch.) Fruit Development.","authors":"José A Mercado-Hornos, Claudia Rodríguez-Hiraldo, Consuelo Guerrero, Sara Posé, Antonio J Matas, Lourdes Rubio, José A Mercado","doi":"10.3390/plants14142241","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14142241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Potassium is the most abundant macronutrient in plants, participating in essential physiological processes such as turgor maintenance. A reduction in cell turgor is a hallmark of the ripening process associated with fruit softening. The dynamic of K⁺ fluxes in fleshy fruits is largely unknown; however, the reallocation of K⁺ into the apoplast has been proposed as a contributing factor to the decrease in fruit turgor, contributing to fruit softening. High-affinity K⁺ transporters belonging to the KUP/HT/HAK transporter family have been implicated in this process in some fruits. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the KUP/KT/HAK family of high-affinity K⁺ transporters in strawberry (<i>Fragaria</i> × <i>ananassa</i> Duch.) was conducted, identifying 60 putative transporter genes. The chromosomal distribution of the FaKUP gene family and phylogenetic relationship and structure of predicted proteins were thoroughly examined. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the expression of 19 FaKUP genes within the fruit receptacle, with a predominant downregulation observed during ripening, particularly in <i>FaKUP14</i>, <i>24</i> and <i>47</i>. This pattern suggests their functional relevance in early fruit development and turgor maintenance. Mineral composition analyses confirmed that K⁺ is the most abundant macronutrient in strawberry fruits, exhibiting a slight decrease as ripening progressed. Membrane potential (E_m) and diffusion potentials (E_D) at increasing external K⁺ concentrations were measured by electrophysiology in parenchymal cells of green and white fruits. The results obtained suggest a significant diminution in cytosolic K⁺ levels in white compared to green fruits. Furthermore, the slope of change in E_D at increasing external K⁺ concentration indicated a lower K⁺ permeability of the plasma membrane in white fruits, aligning with transcriptomic data. This study provides critical insights into the regulatory mechanisms of K⁺ transport during strawberry ripening and identifies potential targets for genetic modifications aimed at enhancing fruit firmness and shelf life.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12300644/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144746261","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}