Aug 2026· Journal of plant physiology· Vol 325, pp.
154864
· 0 citations· 66 references
Medicine
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
The moss Physcomitrium patens is a well-established model organism for studying plant responses to abiotic stress. As a non-vascular plant, it provides a valuable system for elucidating both conserved and lineage-specific adaptive mechanisms underlying abiotic stress. Previous transcriptomic studies have focused on severe salt stress (350 mM), while the response to moderate salt stress remained largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the transcriptional responses of P. patens to a moderate 150 mM NaCl treatment, using a high-resolution time-series RNA-sequencing approach. Our analysis revealed 2235 previously uncharacterized salt-responsive genes as part of a rapid, dynamic, and multi-layered response. Time-series clustering unveiled salt-specific gene expression patterns overlapping with salt-responsive pathways from angiosperms. We identified novel transcription factors involved in salt-induced transcriptional reprogramming, including PpMYB123, which we experimentally confirmed as a salt-responsive transcription factor. Overexpression of PpMYB123 altered the expression of enzymes involved in salt stress responses, such as those in phenylpropanoid and starch biosynthesis, suggesting a direct or indirect regulatory role. In summary, our findings highlight evolutionarily conserved patterns in stress-specific signaling pathways and in the underlying transcriptional regulation between bryophytes and angiosperms.
This study provides a root-focused transcriptomic resource and identifies candidate regulatory genes potentially linking ABA-related responses with lignin/lignan-associated metabolism in H. pedunculosum under salt stress.
Yang Tao, Xiao Huang, Enhao Zhang et al.· Plant physiology and biochem...· 1 citation
This study provides a systems-level view of posttranscriptional regulation during salt stress in wheat and identifies potential targets for enhancing salt tolerance.
J. Zang, Qian Zhang, Yuyu Zhang et al.· Plant Physiology· 0 citations
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.
Introduction Brassica rapa plants often face combined or sequential abiotic stresses, but the potential negative association between salt/drought tolerance and thermotolerance remains poorly understood. Most studies have focused on individual stress responses, leaving the regulatory networks that may constrain broad-spectrum resilience largely unexplored. Methods Here, we propose a hormone- and anthocyanin-centered framework for understanding this apparent negative association in B. rapa, based on integrated physiological, transcriptomic, hormonal and metabolic analyses across diverse inbred lines. Results Physiological characterization of 11 lines revealed an apparent negative association (salt vs. heat: r = –0.555; drought vs. heat: r = –0.339). Time-resolved transcriptomics uncovered stress-specific temporal patterns: a triphasic response under salt stress, a 'rapid response–readjustment–reactivation' pattern under drought, and a biphasic mechanism under heat stress. Hormonal profiling identified ABA and ethylene biosynthesis-related metabolites as correlates of osmotic adaptation. The chalcone synthase gene BraA10g024990.3C (CHS) showed genotype- and stress-specific expression and correlated with anthocyanin accumulation. Exogenous hormone treatments indicated that ABA and ethylene induce, while GA represses, CHS-mediated anthocyanin production. Discussion Despite the correlative nature of these data, this study provides a candidate regulatory axis and suggests that hormone-directed anthocyanin metabolism may contribute to the negative association between osmotic tolerance and thermotolerance in B. rapa, offering targets for breeding multi-stress-resilient crops.
Mei Zheng, Peirong Li, Xiaoyun Xin et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
It is demonstrated that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively, which enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress.
Jinxian Chen, Wenhao Wu, Ming-Hua Luo et al.· Phytochemistry· 0 citations
The perennial grass Elymus nutans, native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exhibits exceptional cold tolerance. To understand its underlying mechanisms, we integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling under cold stress. Our results revealed a distinct two-phase response strategy to cold stress. The early phase (0-24 h) featured rapid Ca2+ signaling, redox-related transcriptional reprogramming, and increased membrane permeability. The late phase (36-72 h) shifted toward primary metabolic regulation and the translation of protective proteins. Notably, a prominent time lag (temporal delay) occurred between transcript and protein accumulation. Mechanistically, transcriptomic and proteomic signatures suggested a potential energy trade-off, characterized by the extensive downregulation of photosynthetic components concurrent with the mobilization of photoprotective and carbohydrate metabolic networks. Simultaneously, defense capacity was fortified via enhanced proline, phenylpropanoid, and sustained ascorbate-glutathione pathways. Network analyses identified EnP5CS2 and EnMDHAR4 as key functional candidate genes associated with proline accumulation and redox homeostasis. Heterologous expression in yeast further indicated their basic biochemical competence in enhancing cold tolerance. Collectively, these findings provide multi-omics insights into resource reallocation and adaptive strategies employed by alpine extremophytes in response to cold stress, offering valuable genetic targets for breeding climate-resilient forage and crop.
Liuban Tang, Zongyu Zhang, Huanhuan Lu et al.· Plant physiology and biochem...· 0 citations