Aug 2026· Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB· Vol 238, pp.
111655
· 0 citations· 57 references
Medicine
TL;DR
First comprehensive characterization of the RLCK gene family in sugarcane is presented, elucidating its evolutionary features, expression dynamics and functional roles, and providing compelling evidence that ScRLCK53 modulates salt tolerance through activation of the JA signaling pathway.
Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a major sugar crop, yet its growth and yield are frequently limited by soil salinization. Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) act as central signaling hubs in plants, regulating growth, development, immunity, and abiotic stress responses. However, the evolution of the RLCK gene family in sugarcane and its role in salt tolerance remain unclear. Using the high-quality genome of elite cultivar 'Zhongzhe No.1', we identified 262 ScRLCK genes, grouped into 15 subfamilies, all of which contain a typical protein kinase domain. Synteny analysis revealed that whole-genome and segmental duplications were the primary drivers of ScRLCK family expansion, accounting for 67.9% duplication events, while purifying selection predominated during their evolutionary trajectory. T Transcriptome profiling revealed widespread differential expression of ScRLCK genes under hormonal treatments and abiotic stresses; notably, ScRLCK53 was strongly upregulated by salt and other stresses. Functional characterization confirmed nuclear localization of the ScRLCK53. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines displayed markedly enhanced seed germination rates and increased seedling fresh weight under salt stress. Moreover, these overexpression lines exhibited heightened sensitivity to jasmonic acid (JA), accompanied by elevated endogenous JA levels, pronounced upregulation of key JA signaling markers, and enhanced expression of canonical salt-responsive genes. This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of the RLCK gene family in sugarcane, elucidating its evolutionary features, expression dynamics and functional roles, and provides compelling evidence that ScRLCK53 modulates salt tolerance through activation of the JA signaling pathway, providing a theoretical foundation and valuable genetic resources for the genetic enhancement of stress tolerance in sugarcane.
An evolutionary and transcriptional atlas of the wheat TaBSK family is delivered and candidate genes for functional validation and molecular breeding toward salt-tolerant wheat varieties are provided.
Yongtao Zhao, Jun-Sen Wang, Zhong-Zhou Zhang et al.· Current Issues in Molecular...· 0 citations
This study comprehensively elucidates the evolutionary dynamics and spatiotemporal expression profiles of the sugarcane PIP gene family and uncovers the novel pleiotropic function of ScPIP2-70 in mediating low-K+ stress tolerance, providing critical theoretical support and candidate gene resources for breeding “potassium-efficient” sugarcane cultivars via modern biotechnology.
Yirong Guo, Qiuping Ling, Xingchen Liu et al.· Agronomy· 0 citations
Nuclear Factor Y, subunit A (NFYA) constitutes a family of transcription factors that play critical roles in plant growth, development and abiotic stress responses. Taxodium hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’ (T. mucronatum × T. distichum) is a fast-growing tree species with high industrial value and remarkable flooding tolerance. However, the systematic characteristics and abiotic stress response patterns of the ThNFYA gene family remain unclear. In this study, a total of 11 ThNFYA genes were identified. The encoded proteins ranged from 67 to 372 amino acids in length, with predicted molecular weights between 16.84 and 40.12 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis classified plant NFYAs into four clades, with all ThNFYAs falling into clades I and IV. Expression profiling revealed tissue-specific patterns, with six members showing the highest transcript levels in the cambium. Multiple cis-acting elements associated with stress and hormone responses were detected in the promoter regions of ThNFYAs. Most ThNFYAs were differentially regulated under salt, drought, and flooding stresses. Notably, most clade IV members (ThNFYA3, ThNFYA4, and ThNFYA6-ThNFYA8) were downregulated in the wood under partial submergence. This indicates their potential role in modifying wood properties in response to flooding. Co-expression network analysis identified ThNFYA1 and ThNFYA8 as central hub genes in leaves under partial submergence. Overall, these results suggest that the ThNFYA family may serve as candidate regulators of development and stress adaptation in T. hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’. This study provides valuable insights for further functional verification of ThNFYAs and lays a foundation for marker-assisted breeding of stress-tolerant varieties.
The SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) family, a class of sugar transporters identified in recent years, plays important roles in plant growth and development. Increasing evidence suggests that SWEET genes are also involved in plant responses to abiotic stresses, including salt stress. However, the genome-wide composition and salt-responsive functions of SWEET genes in Elymus nutans Griseb. have not been systematically characterized to date. This study presents the first genome-wide identification of the SWEET gene family in E. nutans and functional characterization of EnSWEET15 in salt stress response, providing candidate genes and a theoretical basis for improving salt tolerance in this species. A total of 12 EnSWEET genes were identified from the E. nutans genome and were unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into four subfamilies, and promoter analysis revealed abundant cis-elements related to hormone signaling and stress responses, suggesting roles in abiotic stress adaptation. Expression analysis showed that EnSWEET15 was significantly upregulated in both roots and leaves under salt stress. The full-length EnSWEET15 coding sequence (930 bp ORF) was cloned and functionally characterized. Heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that EnSWEET15 enhances salt tolerance. Transgenic lines showed reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), compared with wild-type plants under salt stress. Overall, this study identifies EnSWEET15 as a positive regulator of salt tolerance via modulating ROS homeostasis, providing novel insights into SWEET-mediated salt stress response in perennial forages and valuable genetic resources for salt-tolerant breeding of E. nutans.
A systematic analysis of the MtPLATZ gene family in M. truncatula is provided, offering a valuable reference for functional studies and genetic improvement of stress tolerance in legumes.
