Aug 2026· Phytochemistry· pp.
115046
· 0 citations· 43 references
Medicine
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
Abiotic stress severely limits plant growth and productivity. Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS), known for its environmental resilience, represents a valuable resource for identifying stress-tolerant genes to improve stress-adaptive crops. Plant AT-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors serve as core regulators of plant growth, developmental processes, and adaptive responses to various stress conditions; however, they remain uncharacterized in TKS. Here, we identified 10 TksPLATZ genes through a whole-genome analysis. Phylogenetically, these genes were grouped into five distinct evolutionary branches. Promoter sequence analysis revealed multiple types of cis-acting regulatory elements that are connected with hormonal signal responses and environmental stress adaptation. Integrated analysis of transcriptome datasets and RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that TksPLATZ genes display tissue-specific expression profiles and show distinct responsive patterns to drought and salt stress treatments. Among them, TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 were markedly induced under both stressors and were selected for further functional study. We demonstrated that TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively. Phenotypic data from overexpression experiments in plants confirm that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2, and TksPLATZ7 enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress. These findings provide valuable genetic resources for improving plant tolerance to environmental stresses.
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.
The TIFY gene family comprises plant-specific transcriptional regulators central to jasmonic acid (JA) signaling and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite the economic importance of the banana (Musa spp.), the TIFY family remains largely uncharacterized in this crop. Here, we conducted a genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis of the MaTIFY gene family in Musa acuminata. A total of 47 MaTIFY genes were identified, distributed across all 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these into four subfamilies (TIFY, ZIZ/ZML, PPD, and JAZ), and conserved motif and domain analyses revealed a core TIFY domain architecture with subfamily-specific structural features. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and cis-acting regulatory element analyses suggested potential involvement in JA-mediated signaling, defense response, and hormone cross-talk. Expression profiling under drought, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (Foc 4), and cold stress revealed distinct transcriptional responses, with MaTIFY5, MaTIFY16, MaTIFY20, MaTIFY26, and MaTIFY30 exhibiting enhanced induction in resistant cultivars compared to their susceptible counterparts. Functional characterization of MaTIFY20 confirmed its significant upregulation under drought stress and its ability to confer enhanced osmotic tolerance when heterologously expressed in yeast. These findings provide novel insights into the evolutionary dynamics and stress-responsive functions of banana TIFY genes and identify candidate targets for molecular breeding to improve abiotic and biotic stress resilience in banana.
Sheraz Ahmad, Huimin Song, Hangbo Cao et al.· International Journal of Mol...· 0 citations
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.
Weijie Chen, Xuanzi Zhang, Xiao Liu et al.· Horticulturae· 0 citations
NAC proteins are a large family of plant transcription factors that play a key role in growth, development and responses to abiotic stress (drought, salinity). Various genomic studies across several species have identified NAC genes with specific responses to cold, drought and salinity. This study conducts a comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of FaNAC genes in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) to elucidate their role in response to drought and salinity. Using RNA-seq and validation by RT-qPCR, thirty-five FaNAC genes were identified that showed differential expression under both stress conditions. Their expression profiles were highly specific to tissue and stimulus type: some were induced in leaves and roots under both conditions, whilst others showed restricted induction. This suggests a specialised regulatory network rather than a uniform response. Phylogenetically, the FaNAC genes showed high homology with Arabidopsis orthologues and conserved collinearity between subgenomes. The promoters contained cis elements associated with hormones and stress, particularly ABA and MeJA. FaNAC6 was selected for its strong induction in leaves and roots in response to drought and salinity, as well as under oxidative stress and ABA. Its overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana increased stress tolerance, improving photosynthesis and water-use efficiency, and was associated with the upregulation of genes involved in photosystems, electron transport and carbon fixation. Overall, FaNAC6 emerges as a promising candidate for further evaluation in strawberry breeding strategies to improve drought and salinity resilience.
Facundo Spadoni-Revol, M. D. Moreno-Recio, Sara Aguado-Delgado et al.· International Journal of Mol...· 0 citations
This study elucidates the evolutionary conservation and functional diversity of the eggplant GATA family, providing valuable candidate genes for future functional research and stress-tolerant molecular breeding in eggplant.
Yang Huang, Li Jia, Kunyu Ma et al.· Horticulturae· 0 citations
Together, these findings provide a foundation for functional characterization and useful information for future research on the role of SlPHD family members in plant abiotic stress tolerance.
Tayeb Muhammad, Tao Yang, Haitao Yang et al.· Planta· 0 citations
