Genome-Wide and GWAS Dissection of Maize Fibrillin Genes Reveals Plastid Regulators of Drought and Salt Stress Tolerance

Genome-wide identi fi cation and characterization of the ZmBED gene family in maize and its putative roles in drought adaptation via rhizosheath formation

Genome-Wide Identification of the TaBSK Gene Family and Its Salt-Responsive Expression Patterns in Wheat

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.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the BBX Gene Family and Their Drought Stress Responses in the Gymnosperm Torreya grandis

B-BOX (BBX) transcription factors regulate plant growth and drought tolerance, whereas comprehensive characterization of BBX gene families in gymnosperms remains scarce. We identified 13 TgBBXs in Torreya grandis at the genome-wide level, and phylogenetic analysis grouped them into five subgroups consistent with the conserved classification of plant BBX members. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light hormone and stress related cis-elements, and the TgBBXs displayed distinct expression patterns across various tissues and reproductive developmental stages. PEG-triggered drought decreased leaf chlorophyll, accompanied by increased root H2O2, APX and POD levels. Transcriptome data showed obvious tissue-specific expression and organ-dependent drought responses; most of TgBBX5–TgBBX12 were continuously upregulated in leaves under PEG treatment, whereas several members declined in roots. WGCNA further indicated that the MEturquoise module, which contained most TgBBXs, was closely associated with chlorophyll accumulation and antioxidant responses. Among these genes, TgBBX2, TgBBX7, and TgBBX13 with module membership over 0.9 are putative hub genes, and their associated genes enrich in photosynthesis and antioxidant pathways. This study systematically characterized the BBX family in T. grandis for the first time and identified key drought-responsive genes, providing valuable resources for drought-tolerant molecular breeding of this economically important gymnosperm.

Genome-Wide Characterization of the WIP Transcription Factor Gene Family in Soybean and Physiological Responses to Salt Stress

The GmWIP gene family has expanded substantially in soybean relative to previously characterized species and shows genotype-dependent transcriptional responses to salt stress, suggesting that specific GmWIP members are candidate regulators of salt tolerance and warrant further functional investigation.

Rice LSD1-like Genes: Genome-Wide Characterization and Evidence Linking OsLSD3 to Plant Height

LSD1-like zinc-finger proteins participate in programmed cell death, redox homeostasis, and stress responses in plants, but their functional diversification and contributions to agronomic variation in rice remain poorly defined. This study aimed to characterize the rice LSD1-like gene family and evaluate the potential agronomic roles of selected members, with particular emphasis on OsLSD3. Genome-wide analyses were integrated with OsLSD3 natural variation and haplotype analyses in 4666 rice accessions, CRISPR/Cas9 mutant phenotyping in the ZH11 background, and subcellular localization assays. Seven LSD1-like genes were identified and showed substantial divergence in protein architecture, gene organization, promoter cis-element profiles, and tissue- and stress-responsive expression. OsLSD3 formed six population-structured haplotypes, and two common Japonica haplotypes differed significantly in plant height. Consistently, two independent oslsd3 mutant lines were taller than the wild type, whereas additional changes in grain-related traits were line-specific. OsLSD2 and OsLSD3 localized mainly to the nucleus, while OsLSD4 was predominantly nuclear with weak cytoplasmic localization. These results identify OsLSD3 as the strongest candidate among the examined members for further investigation of plant height- and grain-related traits, while OsLSD2 and OsLSD4 represent additional candidates for grain-trait regulation. Further validation using additional alleles and environments is required.

Genome-wide characterization of the expansin gene family in Sorghum bicolor reveals their regulatory features and roles in drought response

Expansins (EXPs) are non-enzymatic proteins that mediate cell wall loosening and play essential roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the expansin gene family in Sorghum bicolor remains insufficiently characterized. In this study, we identified 68 expansin genes in S. bicolor ( SbEXPs ), predominantly belonging to the EXPA and EXPB subfamilies. Structural and evolutionary characterization revealed conserved domain organization, with gene family expansion likely driven by tandem and segmental duplications. Regulatory analysis revealed diverse cis-regulatory elements and predicted interactions with transcription factors, miRNAs, and protein-protein interaction partners, indicating multi-layered regulatory control. Network analysis further identified key genes, including SbEXPA17 , SbEXPB1 , and SbEXPB2 , as potential central nodes. Expression profiling demonstrated distinct tissue-specific patterns, with many SbEXP genes highly expressed in roots and other actively growing tissues. Under drought conditions, RNA-seq data revealed differential expression of several SbEXP genes, with a subset consistently upregulated. These patterns were validated by qRT-PCR, confirming strong induction of genes such as SbEXPA17 , SbEXPB6 , and SbEXPB8 under PEG-simulated drought stress. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the expansin gene family in S. bicolor and suggests their potential involvement in drought response through modulation of cell wall dynamics. These findings offer a foundation for future functional studies and the development of drought-resilient sorghum varieties.