expression analysis revealed that WRKY-S is highly expressed during early fruit stages, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of WRKY-S produced rounded fruits with reduced cell number along the proximal-distal axis, while overexpression resulted in irregular fruit shapes.
Abstract
Fruit shape is a pivotal agronomic trait in tomato that significantly influences market classification and commercial value, yet the transcriptional regulation underlying its development are not fully elucidated. In this study, we identify WRKY-S as a critical regulator of fruit shape through its function in early fruit development. Expression analysis revealed that WRKY-S is highly expressed during early fruit stages. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of WRKY-S produced rounded fruits with reduced cell number along the proximal-distal axis, while overexpression resulted in irregular fruit shapes. Furthermore, WRKY-S can directly target the known fruit shape regulator gene FS8.1 to repress its expression. Notably, wrky-s mutants also exhibited increased inflorescence branching, higher fruit numbers, and improved yield without compromising fruit weight. Our findings establish WRKY-S as a novel transcriptional factor that modifies fruit shape and improves yield-related traits, providing new insights for tomato breeding.
This study provides new insights into the role of cytokinin metabolism in fruit development and highlights regulatory variation in MdCKX6 as a potential target for apple breeding.
M. Rahman, Hussain Ahmed, Zhe Zhou et al.· Plant Science· 0 citations
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) β-mannanase is known as playing an important role in mannan degradation; however, its biological functions and transcriptional regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we characterized the roles of mannan-1,4-β-mannanase 2 (SlMAN2) in tomato development and salt stress tolerance. Results showed that SlMAN2 was preferentially expressed in seeds, stems, stamens, and stigmas. SlMAN2 overexpression significantly increased fruit and seed size, accelerated seed germination, and enhanced salt tolerance under 100 mM NaCl, whereas knockout mutants exhibited the opposite phenotypes. Notably, dual-luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that the transcription factor SlDOF3.1 directly binds to the SlMAN2 promoter and activates its transcription, but SlMAN2 overexpression suppressed SlDOF3.1 expression, suggesting the existence of a negative feedback regulatory loop. Collectively, our findings reveal that SlMAN2 functions as a pleiotropic regulator coordinating tomato fruit and seed development with salt stress tolerance and uncover a SlDOF3.1–SlMAN2 regulatory module underlying these processes.
Fei-Fei Li, Yang Liu, Shi-Gui Hou et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 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
The MADS-box gene family comprises key transcription factors that regulate plant growth and development, particularly flower and fruit morphogenesis. However, the evolutionary characteristics of this gene family in sweet orange (
Citrus sinensis
) and their specific regulatory roles in secondary fruit development remain unclear. This study aimed to systematically investigate these aspects by comparing cultivars with distinct fruit phenotypes.
Newhall navel orange (
C. sinensis
‘Newhall’), which exhibits a typical secondary fruit phenotype, and Hamlin sweet orange (
C. sinensis
‘Hamlin’), which lacks this trait, were used as experimental materials. A high-quality, chromosome-level
de novo
genome assembly was generated for Hamlin sweet orange. Comparative genomic analysis was performed to identify drivers of divergence between the two cultivars. Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing was conducted across bud, full bloom, and post-bloom stages, followed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify gene modules associated with secondary fruit development.
The Hamlin sweet orange genome assembly achieved an N50 of 32.89 Mb. Comparative genomics revealed that tandem duplication is a primary driver of divergence between the two cultivars. Gene family identification showed that Newhall possesses more MADS-box genes (139) than Hamlin (119). Transcriptomic and WGCNA analyses identified gene modules significantly correlated with secondary fruit development, pinpointing CSN
SEP
3 and CSN
AG
6 as key candidate regulatory genes.
This study provides a high-quality reference genome for Hamlin sweet orange and offers valuable transcriptomic insights into the role of MADS-box genes in citrus differentiation and fruit morphogenesis. The identification of CSN
SEP
3 and CSN
AG
6 as critical regulators of secondary fruit development lays a theoretical foundation for molecular breeding programs targeting fruit morphology in citrus.
Jia-Xing Wan, Zhuo-Zhuo Wu, Yan-Ji Yao et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Trichomes are crucial for plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In cucumber, the density and morphology of fruit spines directly influence fruit appearance and market value, making them a key agronomic trait. Nevertheless, the genetic regulators governing trichome initiation and development remain poorly understood. In this study, the AP2/ERF transcription factor ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 1 (CsESR1) was identified and shown to be predominantly expressed in the epidermis of stems, leaves, flower buds, and ovaries, as confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and GUS staining analyses. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CsESR1 resulted in a marked decrease in spine density, altered spine morphology, and a glabrous phenotype in vegetative tissues including stems, leaves, and tendrils. Furthermore, the defective development of bloom trichomes in the Csesr1 mutant resulted in increased glossiness of the fruit peel. Protein interaction assays revealed that CsESR1 physically associates with key trichome regulators, CsTOE3, CsGL1, and CsTRY. Moreover, Csesr1 plants exhibited reduced aphid resistance, concomitant with altered expression of defense-related genes, phytohormone levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Collectively, this study establishes CsESR1 as a key regulator of trichome formation in cucumber and uncovers its role in plant defense, providing novel insights into the molecular networks coordinating epidermal differentiation and stress adaptation.
Piaoyun Sun, Jinqiang Yan, Wen-Rui Liu et al.· The Plant Journal· 0 citations
INTRODUCTION
High toughness in Flammulina filiformis fruiting bodies severely restricts consumption. Mechanical strength shows a significant positive correlation with chitin content in cell walls, and understanding the regulatory mechanism of bZIP transcription factors in regulating this polysaccharide synthesis has become pivotal for overcoming quality improvement bottlenecks in medicinal-edible fungi, as mechanical properties directly determine post-harvest processing suitability and consumer acceptance.
OBJECTIVES
To screen key bZIP transcription factors regulating chitin synthesis in F. filiformis and elucidate their mechanism in modulating fruiting body development and toughness through ROS signaling.
METHODS
Spatial distribution analysis of chitin content and mechanical properties, bZIP family expression profiling (mycelium vs. stipe), yeast one-hybrid binding validation, construction of OE/ knockdown strains, ROS metabolic enzyme assays, H2O2/NAC treatments, and transcriptomic analysis.
RESULTS
fap expression in stipes was 9.36-39.70-fold higher than in mycelia (P < 0.01), aligning with chitin gradients; knockdown strains showed intracellular ROS increased to 508-526% of WT and 10-68% higher chitin in upper stipes, causing malformed fruiting bodies; whereas OE strains exhibited reduced ROS (MDA content decreased to 18-35% of WT), 18-32-fold enhanced POD activity, 9-18% reduced chitin in middle/lower stipes with decreased toughness, and normal fruiting body development; H2O2/NAC treatments directly induced chitin increase/decrease (P < 0.05), confirming the ROS-chitin regulatory axis; transcriptomics further revealed fap significantly modulates genes in carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and ribosomal pathways.
CONCLUSION
FAP controls intracellular ROS levels by regulating ROS metabolic enzymes, thereby indirectly suppressing chitin synthesis and ultimately reducing mechanical strength in F. filiformis. This mechanism provides a novel scheme for texture improvement in edible fungi.
Faqin Li, Hao Fan, Siyi Wang et al.· Journal of Advanced Research· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
