Dissecting wheat epitranscriptome and proteome under salt stress characterizes an m6A reader gene vital for salinity adaptation

Time-series transcriptomics sheds light on the rapid and dynamic response of the moss Physcomitrium patens to salt stress.

Findings highlight evolutionarily conserved patterns in stress-specific signaling pathways and in the underlying transcriptional regulation between bryophytes and angiosperms in the response to moderate salt stress.

Integrated multi-omics profiling reveals dynamic regulation of light-induced chloroplast biogenesis in Brassica napus seedlings

Abstract Photosynthetic efficiency, a pivotal determinant of crop yield, is governed by chloroplast development—a process that remains poorly understood in polyploid crops. Using tetraploid oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as a model, we phenotypically characterized chloroplast development under light induction and performed a high-resolution, multi-omics analysis of this process. Through the integration of time-series transcriptome, proteome, and post-translational modification (PTM) data—encompassing acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitylation—we reveal a multi-layered regulatory network coordinating chloroplast maturation. A core, sequential transcription factor cascade orchestrates the temporal program, which is finely modulated by crosstalk between alternative splicing and PTMs. PTMs further fine-tune the activity of proteins within essential photosynthetic pathways. We also demonstrate differential subfunctionalization of homeologous gene pairs, a polyploid-specific strategy that enhances regulatory flexibility and robustness. Our findings establish a molecular map of chloroplast development, elucidating how transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational layers may contribute to efficient plastid maturation. This study also identifies upstream regulators, particularly within the photosystem and chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways, as potential candidates for functional validation to assess their roles in improving photosynthetic performance. Collectively, our findings provide a resource for future research in chloroplast biology, photosynthesis, polyploid biology, and comparative-omics studies.

Phylogenomics and expression profiling of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) magnesium transporters under dual drought and salinity stress conditions

ALKBH10B mediated epitranscriptomic regulation enhances drought tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana via hormonal cross-talk and sustained photosynthesis

The m⁶A demethylase ALKBH10B emerges as a crucial post-transcriptional regulator of hormonal crosstalk, photosynthetic maintenance, and mitochondrial energy metabolism to fine-tune plant stress adaptation to drought. Epitranscriptomic N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) mRNA modification has emerged as an important regulatory layer of gene expression and protein synthesis in plant stress adaptation. In this study, expression profiling revealed that drought stress induces a global reprogramming of the m6A machinery in Arabidopsis thaliana, with the m6A demethylase ALKBH10B exhibiting a more pronounced time-dependent response. ALKBH10B transcription is induced by ABA, most likely via ABRE and MYB cis-elements, whereas jasmonate alleviates this activation. Moreover, ALKBH10B overexpressing plants (OX-1) accumulated wild type (WT) levels of ABA under drought stress but displayed a markedly reduced content in jasmonic acid (JA) and jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile). They furthermore exhibit enhanced stomatal closure, improved water-use efficiency, and thus an enhanced drought tolerance. Transcriptome analysis revealed that drought stress induces fewer transcriptional changes in OX-1 plants compared to WT and the drought-sensitive alkbh10b-1 mutant. Differential expression and GO enrichment analyses highlight that photosynthesis-related processes were most affected by ALKBH10B activity, correlating with a preserved chlorophyll content and PSII efficiency in OX-1. Analysis by m⁶A-IP-qPCR showed that ALKBH10B directly demethylates specific photosynthesis-related and drought-responsive genes, while other transcripts are indirectly regulated by ALKBH10B-dependent processes. Moreover, transcripts associated with respiration were enriched in OX-1, indicating that ALKBH10B also supports mitochondrial energy metabolism during drought. Together, our results suggest that ALKBH10B enhances drought tolerance by coordinating m⁶A-dependent transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation to maintain photosynthetic capacity and mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as fine-tuning ABA-jasmonate crosstalk.

Identification of specific transcripts for plant heat stress tolerance through genome-wide analysis of SIZ1-dependent alternative polyadenylation

This study elucidates the regulation of APA mediated by SIZ1 during HS response and establishes a strategy for identifying specific transcripts arising from APA for plant heat tolerance.

Root Ion flux and transcriptomic analyses reveal the response mechanisms of Gleditsia sinensis seedlings to salt stress

Gleditsia sinensis Lam. is a widely distributed tree species in China characterized by its remarkable tolerance to barrenness and salinity, making it a valuable candidate for the ecological restoration of saline-alkali lands. Understanding its ion regulatory mechanisms is a prerequisite for salt tolerance evaluation and molecular breeding. However, the molecular mechanisms coordinating root ion fluxes and overall defense strategies in G. sinensis under salt stress remain largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the root ion flux characteristics and underlying molecular mechanisms of hydroponic G. sinensis seedlings under 100 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl stress using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT) and transcriptomic sequencing. The results demonstrated that while salt stress induced substantial Na⁺ accumulation, roots actively responded by promoting Na⁺ efflux and H⁺ influx in the elongation zone. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that seedlings adopted a “growth-defense trade-off” strategy. By down-regulating energy-intensive metabolic pathways, the seedlings reallocated limited energy to significantly up-regulate key ion transporters, including AHA11 , AKT1 , and SKOR . This transcriptional reprogramming established a transmembrane proton gradient that drove effective Na⁺ efflux and maintained intracellular K⁺ homeostasis. These findings provide a theoretical basis and genetic resources for targeted molecular breeding of G. sinensis in saline environments.