Cooperative contribution of multiple energy substrate pathways to floral thermogenesis in sacred lotus.

Floral thermogenesis in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a highly energy-intensive process, requiring substantial metabolic reconfiguration and substrate input. However, the mechanisms coordinating energy substrate supply during this process remain unclear. Here, we integrated microscale proteomics, time-series transcriptomics, and mitochondrial feeding assays to elucidate the substrate provisioning strategies supporting thermogenesis in lotus receptacles.

Efficient induction of tetraploids via adventitious bud regeneration and subsequent phenotypic variation in Acacia melanoxylon.

BACKGROUND ACACIA MELANOXYLON: is an important species for establishing pulpwood plantations due to its high application value in engineered wood products. However, the lack of a well-established in vitro regeneration system has severely constrained its industrial-scale propagation and the induction of tetraploids. RESULTS: In this study, using the superior A.

Chloroplasts Orchestrate Multilayered Defences Against Plant Pathogens.

Chloroplasts are usually regarded as photosynthetic organelles that generate oxygen and carbohydrates. However, emerging studies have revealed their pivotal role in plant immunity. Chloroplasts play a crucial role in processing various external environmental stimuli and modulating plant immune responses.

A unified cell atlas of vascular plants reveals cell-type foundational genes and accelerates gene discovery.

The pace of gene discovery in plants has slowed as forward genetic screens reach saturation. To address this, we built a unified single-cell atlas of shoot apices from six vascular plant species spanning major evolutionary groups. This cross-species resource allowed us to identify a core set of cell-type foundational genes linked to key tissues such as the epidermis, xylem, and phloem, streamlining gene discovery with greater accuracy.

snRNA-Seq Unveils Cell-Type-Specific Immune Dynamics in Arabidopsis During Pinewood Nematode Infection.

The alterations in gene expression levels in response to the pathogens are pivotal in determining pathogenicity or susceptibility. However, the cell-type-specific interaction mechanism between the pinewood nematode (PWN) and its hosts remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. Here, we employed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) with PWN-infected Arabidopsis leaves to dissect the heterogeneous immune responses.

Short-day-induced expression of PtTFL2 triggers growth-defense tradeoffs during Pinus tabuliformis dormancy.

Conifers have developed intricate dormancy strategies to cope with extreme climates in winter. Among various environmental cues, shortened photoperiods in the fall induce conifers to enter dormancy, leading to growth cessation, bud set, and enhanced freezing tolerance. However, the molecular mechanisms of short-day-induced dormancy are not fully understood.

Research on the GST gene family in Salix lindleyana reveals Trp162 and Pro202 as key amino acids controlling the release rate of GS-X.

The adaptive evolution of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family in Salix lindleyana provides insights into the relationship between enzyme structure and function. In this study, 37 genes encoding the GST protein were cloned from S. lindleyana with no genomic data available, and their expression levels and enzyme activity were determined in vitro.

Dynamic gene regulatory networks drive seed dormancy and germination of Pinus tabuliformis.

Unlabelled: The (Chinese pine), a keystone conifer species native to northern China with extended distributions into central and southern regions (e.g., Henan), plays a critical role in regional vegetation dynamics.

SC35-mediated bZIP49 splicing regulates K⁺ channel AKT1 for salt stress adaptation in poplar.

Soil salinization threatens plant distribution, crop yields, and ecosystem stability. In response, plants activate potassium (K) signaling to maintain Na⁺/K⁺ balance, though the mechanisms regulating K⁺ uptake under salt stress remain poorly understood. This study identified two splice variants of the bZIP49 transcription factor in Populus tomentosa: unspliced "bZIP49L" and spliced "bZIP49S".

GbTRB1 binds telomeric DNA in Ginkgo biloba.

Unlabelled: Telomere-binding proteins play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of telomere structures. In this study, we found that GbTRB1, a double-stranded telomere-binding protein, can bind telomeric DNA., plays a pivotal role in telomere complex stability in .

Ecophysiological transition mediated by hybridization in a hybrid pine species complex.

Hybridization is a driving force in ecological transitions and speciation, yet direct evidence linking it to adaptive differentiation in natural systems remains limited. This study evaluates the role of hybridization in the speciation of , a keystone forest species on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. By creating artificial interspecific F1s and a long-term common garden experiment on the plateau, we provide assessments on 44 growth and physiological traits across four seasons, along with RNA sequencing.

PagHB7/PagABF4-PagEPFL9 Module Regulates Stomatal Density and Drought Tolerance in Poplar.

Epidermal patterning factor-like 9 (EPFL9) influences stomatal density and growth in poplar. There have been no reports on homeobox 7 (HB7) and ABRE binding factor 4 (ABF4) regulating stomatal density or drought tolerance by targeting EPFL9 in poplar. This study revealed that EPFL9 was specifically localised in guard cells in leaves and responded to drought stress.

Phylostratigraphic analysis revealed that ancient ohnologue PtoWRKY53 innovated a vascular transcription regulatory network in Populus.

The secondary vascular system represents a hallmark innovation in woody plant evolution. While contemporary studies have decoded key molecular networks governing its development, the evolutionary trajectory of these regulatory systems remains elusive. We performed integrated phylostratigraphic and transcriptomic profiling across six Populus species spanning five phylogenetic clades to decipher the evolutionary dynamics of regulatory genes in the secondary vascular system.

Calcium-dependent protein Kinases: Bridging growth and stress responses in plants.

Plants have evolved complex signal transduction networks to regulate metabolism and adapt to their environment. Calcium ions serve as key messengers in these pathways, playing central roles in a wide range of signal transduction processes. In plants, multiple classes of calcium-binding proteins can detect transient calcium signal fluctuations triggered by various stimuli, and initiate downstream responses.

PtoNAC90 is a positive regulator for secondary xylem development in Populus.

Secondary growth is regulated by numerous transcription factors under multi-level transcriptional control; however, only a few are considered as key regulators of secondary cell walls biosynthesis in Populus. This study identified PtoNAC90 as a transcription factor crucial for xylem development in Populus. PtoNAC90 is specifically expressed in developing xylem tissues.

Natural variation in PtobZIP18 confers the trade-off between stem growth and drought tolerance in Populus.

Maintaining the balance between growth and drought tolerance is arguably one of the most prevalent challenges encountered by woody plants. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of percentage loss of diameter (PLD) in the stems of 300 Populus tomentosa accessions under drought stress. Our analysis identified the bZIP transcription factor PtobZIP18 as a key regulator of xylem development in response to drought stress.

Genome-wide association analysis and gene mining of flavonoids in Xanthoceras sorbifolia.

Xanthoceras sorbifolia is a unique woody oilseed tree in China, and its leaves are rich in flavonoids, which are involved in plant growth, development and defense. However, the mining of flavonoid synthesis-related genes in Xanthoceras sorbifolia leaves is lacking. In this study, 226 leaves of Xanthoceras sorbifolia from eight provinces in the key distribution areas were measured for flavonoid content, and the differences in flavonoid content of Xanthoceras sorbifolia were analysed to screen out excellent seed sources and six excellent single plants with higher flavonoid content.

The transcription factor LpWRKY65 enhances embryogenic capacity through reactive oxygen species scavenging during somatic embryogenesis of larch.

Somatic embryogenesis is a powerful system for studying embryo development and scaling up the production of elite genetic material. Somatic embryogenesis has been well established in Larix principis-rupprechtii, a Chinese larch species dominant in the world's largest man-made forest. However, genotype-dependent embryogenic variations hinder large-scale forestry, and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Identification and characterization of miRNAs and targets in two poplar varieties with different resistance in responses to Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera) infestation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in plant defense against biotic stress, yet their regulatory mechanisms in poplar resistance to Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the miRNA expression of two distinct poplar varieties, namely Populus tomentosa (resistant) and Populus × euramericana '74/76' (poplar 107, susceptible), after ALB infestation. Small RNA sequencing analysis identified 401 miRNAs in both P.

A visual monitoring DNA-free multi-gene editing system excised via LoxP::FRT/FLP in poplar.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has emerged as a potent molecular scalpel for precise genome editing, and profoundly revolutionized plant genetics and breeding, facilitating the development of innovative and improved plant varieties. Typically, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing construct is delivered into target organisms via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation or biolistic methods. However, the incorporation of the CRISPR-Cas9 machinery increases the risk of off-target effects, causing unintended genomic alterations.

BZR2-GRF5 acts as a hub module in regulating in vitro regeneration through brassinosteroid-auxin crosstalk in hybrid sweetgum.

In vitro plant regeneration is critical for germplasm multiplication, conservation, and genetic improvement in woody plants, primarily via two pathways: somatic embryogenesis (SE) and organogenesis. Brassinosteroids (BR) and auxin are key hormones regulating plant regeneration. However, the synergistic mechanism between these hormones in hybrid sweetgum remains poorly understood.

Synergistic optimization enhancing the precision and efficiency of cytosine base editors in poplar.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, particularly cytosine base editing (CBE) systems, emerges as a powerful tool for precise genomic modification in plants, offering transformative applications across agricultural and forestry research and breeding programs. However, current CBE systems in poplar exhibit low efficiency and imprecise base substitutions, and optimization of base editing systems specifically for poplar remains a significant challenge. To address these limitations, we engineer a high-efficiency poplar CBE system (hyPopCBE) by integrating the MS2-UGI system, fusing Rad51 DNA-binding domain, and modifying the nuclear localization signal.

The TFL2-BZIP43-ERF21 module mediated regulation of seasonal growth in Pinus tabuliformis.

As perennial evergreen non-deciduous plants, conifer face severe challenges from cold and drought stresses during autumn and winter. Understanding how conifers balance growth and stress responses is crucial for forest conservation and tree genetic improvement under climate change. While TFL2 has been identified as a core regulatory factor mediating dormancy with distinct seasonal rhythmic expression in conifers, its downstream regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Genetic composition and heterozygosity of gibberellin-induced 2n gametes evaluated by SSR markers in Populus.

Background: The artificial induction of unreduced (2n) gametes, due to first division restitution (FDR) or second division restitution (SDR), is an important method to produce triploids in higher plants. It is crucial to evaluate the genetic composition and heterozygosity transmission of induced 2n gametes with different formation mechanisms.

Results: Here, we produced 110 triploids by pollinating the female inflorescence of Populus alba × P.

Identification of crucial genes sustaining the curled leaf phenotype in perennial transgenic poplar via advanced proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses.

Populus tomentosa hybrid poplar 741 is a superior tree species in northern China. Due to its rapid growth, high productivity, and range of available genetic tools, it has always been a focus of forestry research. The perennial genetically modified Populus 741, exhibiting sustained overexpression of PtoCYCD3;3, consistently shows adaxial curvature and pronounced surface wrinkling.