Plant lectins are structurally diverse non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding proteins, some of which contribute directly to defense against herbivores and pathogens. However, emerging evidence suggests that lectins function far beyond passive defense factors and instead constitute a multilayered signaling system coordinating environmental perception, immunity, stress adaptation and development throughout the plant life cycle. Recent studies reveal that lectins perceive diverse endogenous and exogenous cues, including glycoconjugates, peptides and damage-associated molecules, and integrate these signals into conserved downstream signaling networks. In parallel, intracellular lectins contribute to pathogen restriction, physiological homeostasis and developmental regulation through direct modulation of cellular signaling pathways. Together, these findings position lectins as central components of a broader plant glyco-signaling framework linking extracellular information with adaptive physiological outputs. In this Review, we synthesize recent advances in lectin-mediated signaling across plant immunity, abiotic stress adaptation and developmental regulation, discuss how post-translational modifications expand lectin signaling plasticity, and highlight emerging translational opportunities in sustainable agriculture, including immune engineering, programmable receptor design and targeted biomolecule delivery. Finally, we propose that lectin-mediated signaling represents an underappreciated regulatory layer underlying plant environmental adaptation and outline key challenges for harnessing lectins in next-generation crop improvement.
Intracellular accommodation of beneficial fungi requires controlled remodelling of host cell walls while avoiding excessive activation of plant immune responses. During colonization of monocot roots, the endophytic fungus Serendipita indica induces a suite of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) targeting xylan and cellulose, but how this program is transcriptionally controlled in basidiomycetes is unknown. Here, we combined co-expression network analysis of time-resolved colonization transcriptomes with DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) of module-associated transcription factors. This identified SiROCX, a Zn2Cys6 transcription factor of an Agaricomycetes-specific Roc1/ROCX lineage, whose DAP-seq-defined regulon is enriched in CAZyme genes. Inducible overexpression of SiROCX activated representative targets, enriched the secretome in CAZymes and enhanced xylanase and cellulase activities on xylan and delignified alcohol-insoluble residue (dAIR) of barley roots under in vitro conditions. Premature activation of this program during barley colonization was associated with early induction of a host immune marker despite comparable fungal biomass, consistent with a role for temporal control in maintaining symbiotic compatibility. Together, these findings identify SiROCX as a major regulator of a host-adapted cell wall-degrading secretome and reveal an Agaricomycetes-specific regulatory module that coordinates host cell wall remodelling with immune-compatible symbiotic colonization.
Global agriculture faces growing food demand, labor shortages, and climate uncertainty. Although automation has improved agricultural operations, adapting to variable crop states and unstructured environments remains challenging. Embodied intelligence integrates multimodal perception, contextual reasoning, and adaptive action through continuous interaction with crops and their environment. This review examines advances in embodied perception, decision-making, and execution for crop production. We discuss how multimodal sensing, crop growth models, and adaptive control connect individual operations with management objectives across the crop growth cycle. We further identify priorities for system integration, long-term validation, and practical deployment to support precise, sustainable, and resilient food production.
Anthocyanins are pivotal pigments in plants, imparting vivid coloration and providing substantial nutritional and ecological benefits. While classical reviews have largely focused on biosynthetic enzymes, emerging evidence highlights a multi-layered regulatory architecture that integrates transcriptional control, chromatin state, intracellular transport, hormonal signalling, and environmental cues. In this review, we integrate current knowledge of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 regulatory complex together with emerging mechanisms involving chromatin dynamics, DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, protein modifications, nutrient signalling, and stress-responsive pathways that collectively fine-tune anthocyanin accumulation. Emphasizing future prospects, we propose anthocyanin-rich plants as strategic targets for enhancing nutritional quality, expanding market value, and improving stress resilience. By synthesizing current breakthroughs and future directions, this review elucidates a comprehensive and forward-looking framework that extends beyond conventional anthocyanin research, aiming to inspire innovative approaches in crop improvement and functional food development.
