The biological mechanisms behind aggressive and affiliative behaviors are difficult to pinpoint. In the Farm-Fox Experiment, conventional foxes were selectively bred since 1959 in two different directions, one for tame and another for aggressive response to humans. The distinct differences in social behavior of tame, aggressive, and conventional populations are genetically based and the three populations live in conditions that control for factors that could impact social reactions, such as environment and social experiences. Genomic and transcriptomic studies of genetic differences among the fox populations have highlighted genes involved in synaptic processes in the prefrontal cortex. To investigate how the synaptic mechanisms differ between the three fox populations, synaptosomes were isolated from prefrontal and premotor cortex extracts of sixteen female foxes. Tandem mass tags with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to identify and quantify the relative abundance of the proteins. The results were sorted into protein groups and compared between populations using a limma analysis to determine proteins with differential expression (DE). In the tame versus aggressive comparison, 174 protein groups were found to be DE, while only five were found in the conventional versus aggressive comparison. Most DE protein groups had lower fold expression in the aggressive population compared to tame and aggressive populations. ADGRB2 was found to be the most DE protein group, with 11-fold higher expression in aggressive foxes than in tame foxes. ADGRB2 was previously shown to affect depression-like behavior in mice and is involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, that is known to influence neurogenesis. Enrichment analyses on the DE protein groups found gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways that were enriched in the tame versus aggressive comparison, including multiple, highly enriched terms involving ribosome and translation. Local translation at synapses plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and, as a result, can profoundly influence behavior. This study highlighted potential mechanisms that could underly the behavioral differences between tame and aggressive foxes.
Cranial endocasts represent a key proxy for reconstructing brain morphology in human evolution. Despite major advances in virtual anthropology and geometric morphometrics, patterns of endocranial integration and modularity as well as their variation with sex and age remain poorly explored. In this study, we apply 3D geometric morphometrics and multivariate analyses, including a surface-based mapping of local integration, to a sample of 115 modern human endocasts to detect patterns of morphological integration and variations linked to sex and age. Five bilateral endocranial modules, corresponding to major brain regions (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes, and cerebellum), were defined. Our results reveal a strong covariation across endocranial modules, with the highest covariation observed between the frontoparietal region and between the occipital and cerebellar region. Sexual dimorphism is mostly exhibited in endocranial volume, whereas age-relates variation is associated with significant regional changes, particularly in the frontal region, without clear evidence of volumetric reduction. These findings provide new insights into endocranial integration and modularity, highlighting the value of endocast for investigating brain morphology, variation, and ageing in humans and across their evolutionary history.
INTRODUCTION:The vertebrate olfactory system is characterized by the projection of receptor neurons toward the olfactory bulb (OB), where axons converge into synaptic structures known as glomeruli. METHODS:This study histologically investigates the OB of the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), a species featuring a remarkably restricted repertoire of 49 identified receptor genes. RESULTS:Despite its limited genomic repertoire, adult S. canicula possesses about 400 glomeruli per OB, organized into distinct medial and lateral domains. These glomeruli exhibit significant size heterogeneity, with diameters ranging from 40 to 360 µm; the largest units represent some of the highest values recorded in vertebrates to date. To contextualize these findings, a comparative dataset of 16 vertebrate species was analyzed using phylogenetic generalized least squares models. CONCLUSIONS:The results demonstrate that glomerular abundance is strongly associated with both receptor gene number and body mass (R2 approx 0.94), highlighting a dual influence of genomic and allometric factors. Interestingly, the glomeruli-to-genes ratio in S. canicula (approx 8.5) aligns more closely with medium-sized mammals than with other non-mammalian taxa. This research provides the first quantification of the glomerular layer in a chondrichthyan, revealing an organizational principle that diverges from other non-mammalian vertebrates.
X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis has been utilized to visualize the three-dimensional (3D) structure of a vertebrate brain. In this study, X-ray micro-CT with young adult zebrafish brains was performed at a synchrotron radiation facility, SPring-8. Single neuronal cell bodies were assessed in virtual cross-sectional tomographic images of the retina and brains, stained with phosphotungstic acid solution (PTA). From these sequential cross-sectional images, 3D brain images were made to observe different sectional planes from the same sample. We could discriminate brain nuclei, layered structures and a pair of identifiable neurons, Mauthner cells, from virtual sectional images. Finally, we also could observe single cell like structures in the tomographic images of zebrafish brains without any metal staining. In tomographic images of the telencephalon and diencephalon from the unstained sample, some brain nuclei could be discriminated, as seen in images of the PTA-stained samples. Therefore, the datasets generated by these techniques will allow us to generate a 3D brain atlas at cellular resolution. This methodology of X-ray micro-CT for the central nervous system will advance the more detailed understanding of the patterns of the 3D structure of the vertebrate brain at cellular resolution in developmental, genetic and comparative neurobiology.
Sugar beet is a key crop for the sugar industry, increasingly reliant on eco-friendly inputs to meet rising global demand. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant growth via root associations, while nanotechnology offers solutions to limitations of traditional farming. However, while the individual benefits of PGPR and nano-fertilizers are well-documented, their combined application—specifically the integration of Azotobacter inoculation with foliar nano-NPK formulations—remains unexplored in sugar beet cultivation. Furthermore, no studies have investigated whether a multi-strain Azotobacter consortium (A. chroococcum + A. vinelandii) combined with complete nano-NPK can synergistically enhance sugar beet productivity beyond the effects of either treatment alone. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of integrating Azotobacter inoculation with foliar nano-NPK application on growth, physiological performance, biochemical traits, and sugar yield in sugar beet, and to determine whether this combined approach outperforms individual or partial applications. To address this knowledge gap, a two-year field study using a split-plot design was conducted, with Azotobacter inoculation assigned to main plots and five nano-NPK formulations to subplots. Agronomic, physiological, and biochemical traits were evaluated at harvest. The combination of Azotobacter and complete nano-NPK (N + P+K) achieved superior results across all measured parameters. Notably, total chlorophyll content increased by approximately 122.8
Abstract Background Intraspecific hybridization in allopolyploid plants can generate additive and nonadditive changes in gene expression through interactions between divergent parental genomes. However, how it simultaneously affects gene expression and the relative expression of homoeologs in higher-order polyploids is less well understood. To study this, we sequenced seedling leaf transcriptomes and profiled gene body methylation in two hexaploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and their F₁ hybrids. Results Although only 4.3% of genes differed in expression between the parents, 22.3% deviated from mid-parent expression in the hybrids, with many showing transgressive expression. 32.1% of triads contained at least one homoeolog that deviated from mid-parent expression, and all three homoeologs deviated in 11% of triads, substantially more than expected by chance. Triads in which all three homoeologs were overexpressed also showed reduced differences in expression among homoeologs. Greater parental divergence in relative homoeolog expression was associated with nonadditive expression. Genes lacking gene body methylation were also more likely to show dominant or transgressive expression, whereas gene body methylation was associated with more balanced homoeolog expression and additive or conserved expression. Conclusions Intraspecific hybridization in hexaploid wheat, even without a change in ploidy, was associated with widespread nonadditive gene expression and altered relative homoeolog expression within triads. These responses were associated with parental differences in homoeolog expression and the absence of gene body methylation. Although our findings are limited to seedling leaves from a single intraspecific cross, they provide a basis for testing the generality of these patterns across tissues, developmental stages, and genetic backgrounds.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important legume forage crop. Salt stress severely impairs seed germination, compromising field establishment and subsequent seedling growth. However, the key genes underlying alfalfa seed responses to salt stress during germination remain largely unidentified, hindering targeted genetic improvement of salt tolerance within the genus Medicago. In this study, transcriptomic sequencing was performed on germinated and ungerminated seeds of alfalfa treated with 150 mmol/L NaCl, using the ‘Zhongmu No. 4’ reference genome. Through integrated KEGG pathway enrichment, gene expression fold-change analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), we identified the gene MsPAL2 (Msa1079410), which encodes the key rate-limiting enzyme in phenylpropanoid metabolism, as a critical salt-tolerance gene. Functional characterization via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) revealed that silencing MsPAL2 did not affect seed germination under normal conditions but significantly reduced the germination rate under salt stress. These findings suggest that MsPAL2 acts as a positive regulator of alfalfa seed germination under salt stress. Promoter analysis and AlphaFold3 prediction collectively revealed MYB-binding cis-elements and identified MYB transcription factors as candidate upstream regulators of MsPAL2, laying the groundwork for elucidating its regulatory network. Phenylpropanoid metabolism constitutes a key mechanism underlying salt tolerance in alfalfa. Through transcriptome analysis, we identified MsPAL2, a phenylpropanoid pathway gene, as a critical regulator of alfalfa seed germination under salt stress, providing valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding of salt-tolerant alfalfa.
Amorpha fruticosa L. is a leguminous shrub with high tolerance to drought, poor soil, and saline-alkali stress conditions. As a member of the family of transcription factors in higher plants, the ethylene response factor AP2/ERF plays a crucial role in both plant adaptation to abiotic stress and in growth and development. In this study, based on genes identified from the transcriptomic sequencing of Amorpha fruticosa L. under drought stress, the upregulated gene AfRAP2 was isolated from its seedlings, with the aim of elucidating its stress-response function using molecular biological techniques. In this study, the AfRAP2 gene was cloned from the leaves of Amorpha fruticosa L. using RT-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that AfRAP2 contains an AP2 domain and belongs to the DREB subfamily of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family, showing close phylogenetic relationships with LaEREBP from Lathyrus albus. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results indicate that AfRAP2 is expressed in various tissues of Amorpha fruticosa L., with the highest expression in leaves and the lowest in stems, furthermore, its expression is significantly upregulated in roots and leaves upon induction by NaHCO3 and PEG6000. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that the AfRAP2 protein is localized to the nucleus, and GUS histochemical staining assay revealed that its promoter drives GUS expression in anthers. Resistance analysis of overexpressing yeast strains showed that yeast transformed with the AfRAP2 gene exhibited significantly better growth under sorbitol, mannitol, and NaHCO3 stress conditions compared to the control, indicating that this gene enhances yeast tolerance to drought and saline-alkali stress. We screened transgenic tobacco and Populus davidiana × P. alba var. Pyramidalis. The results showed that under natural drought and saline-alkali stress treatments, the transgenic lines exhibited significantly improved growth and higher activities of the physiological indicators of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) compared with wild-type plants, indicating that the overexpression of the AfRAP2 gene plays a key role in the response to saline-alkali stress and drought stress. In summary, AfRAP2 contains an AP2 domain and belongs to the DREB subfamily of transcription factors, under abiotic stress induced by NaHCO₃ and mannitol, it can induce the expression of the AfRAP2 gene in tobacco and Populus davidiana×P. alba var. pyramidalis. AfRAP2 plays a vital role in the plant response to saline-alkali stress and drought stress and is a promising candidate gene for stress-tolerant breeding.
AP2/ERF (APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor) represents one of the largest transcription factor superfamilies in plants, playing crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development as well as responding to abiotic stresses. Investigating the functions of maize (Zea mays L.) AP2/ERF family genes will provide novel genetic resources for maize genetic improvement. In this study, the AP2/ERF transcription factor superfamily member ZmEREB54 (GRMZM2G020054, Gene ID: 100,278,463) was cloned from maize and was systematically analyzed functionally. The full-length CDS of ZmEREB54 gene was 561 bp, encoding 186 amino acids with a typical AP2/ERF conserved domain. Its promoter region contained cis-acting elements associated with responses to various abiotic stresses and hormones. Maize expression pattern analysis revealed that ZmEREB54 was highly expressed in V12 roots, with significant expression changes under osmotic stress, drought, high salinity, and treatments with abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Phenotypic analysis showed that transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana over-expressing ZmEREB54 exhibited significantly longer roots compared to wild-type plants under high salinity, drought, osmotic stress, and hormone treatments (JA, ABA). Stress-responsive marker genes RD29A and RD22 were upregulated in the transgenic A. thaliana lines. The significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and markedly increased peroxidase (POD) activity in transgenic A. thaliana further demonstrate the improvement of its stress tolerance. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays revealed an interaction between ZmEREB54 and ZmMADS24.6, suggesting potential cooperative regulation of ZmEREB54 and ZmMADS24.6 in maize root development and stress responses. This study establishes a solid foundation for further clarifying the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of ZmEREB54 in regulating maize root growth and development, as well as responding to drought and salt stresses.
Abstract Background Herbivore-induced volatile organic compounds (HIPVs) are important components of plant defense, but the molecular basis of their biosynthesis in woody plants remains poorly understood. Among HIPVs, the homoterpenes (3 E )-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) and ( E , E )-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT) are well-characterized herbivore-induced volatiles in herbaceous plants, whereas their biosynthesis in woody species remains largely unexplored. Here, we characterized herbivore-induced volatile emissions from Japanese orange cherry ( Idesia polycarpa ) leaves following feeding by gypsy moth caterpillars ( Lymantria dispar ) and investigated the molecular basis of homoterpene HIPV biosynthesis in this perennial woody species. Results Herbivory substantially altered the volatile emission profile of I. polycarpa leaves, leading to strong induction of mono- and sesquiterpenes and particularly high emission of the C 11 homoterpene DMNT, whereas the C 16 homoterpene TMTT was not detected. These changes were accompanied by elevated jasmonic acid and jasmonate-derived metabolites in damaged leaves. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified a CYP82-family cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and two TPS-g terpene synthases as candidate genes involved in DMNT biosynthesis. Biochemical assays showed that IpCYP82L45 converts ( E )-nerolidol into DMNT in vitro, while heterologous expression in Nicotiana benthamiana demonstrated that IpTPS15 and IpTPS3 produce ( E )-nerolidol and linalool, respectively. Co-expression of IpTPS15 and IpCYP82L45 in N. benthamiana reconstituted DMNT production in planta . Furthermore, no diterpene synthase capable of producing ( E , E )-geranyllinalool, the precursor of TMTT, was identified in I. polycarpa , consistent with the absence of TMTT emission. Conclusions These findings establish a likely jasmonate-associated DMNT biosynthetic pathway in I. polycarpa involving the coordinated activity of IpTPS15 and IpCYP82L45. This work advances the molecular understanding of herbivore-induced volatile biosynthesis in non-model woody species and provides new insights into terpene-mediated defense mechanisms in trees.
Biochar is widely recognized for enhancing plant stress tolerance, and using acid modified-biochar may further enhance its suitability as a soil amendment for plant growth under saline–alkali conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms by which modified biochar regulate sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth and physiology remain unclear. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of acid-modified biochar on the physiology of sugar beet seedlings grown in saline–alkali soil. The unfavourable saline–alkali conditions decreased photosynthetic efficiency and inhibited leaf development, whereas all acid-modified biochar treatments restored sugar beet physiological performance, with sulfuric acid–modified biochar (BS) delivering the strongest favourable effects. BS increased the total foliar chlorophyll content by two folds, enhanced the net photosynthetic rate by 86.22
Abstract Long-term storage can erode the value of Apiaceae fruits through volatilization and compositional drift of their essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated UV-C pre-treatment (25 min) and packaging type as practical approaches to preserve EO quality in fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), anise ( Pimpinella anisum ), cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ), and caraway ( Carum carvi ) fruits stored for 12 months in four packages (jute, polyethylene 120 µm, polyethylene 150 µm, and an antifungal film). EO profiles were monitored by GC–MS at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; antifungal efficacy was assessed against Rhizoctonia solani , Alternaria solani , and Fusarium oxysporum ; and key EO constituents were docked against cutinase (PDB: 1xzb). At baseline, fennel EO was dominated by estragole (49.97% in control; 57.13% after UV-C) and anethole (20.02%); anise EO was rich in anethole (63.79% in control; 64.93% after UV-C); cumin EO was characterized by γ-terpinen-7-al (21.56% in control; 25.89% after UV-C) and cuminaldehyde (19.62% in control; 20.33% after UV-C); and caraway EO contained high levels of carvone (41.60% in control; 47.69% after UV-C) and D-limonene (24.36% in control; 33.11% after UV-C). After 12 months, hermetic packaging (150 µm and antifungal film) better preserved the dominant chemical signature of each EO under UV-C, with estragole at 85.16% in fennel (antifungal), anethole at 72.63% in anise (150 µm), cuminaldehyde at 37.46% in cumin (antifungal), and carvone at 63.14% in caraway (antifungal). Overall, combining UV-C with hermetic/antifungal packaging provides an effective strategy to maintain Apiaceae EO composition and bioactivity during extended storage.
The study was conducted at the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir), during 2022–2025 to design, develop, and evaluate a resource-efficient vertical hydroponic system for fodder production under the prevailing environmental conditions. The study addresses the need for compact, water-efficient, and continuously productive fodder systems through an integrated engineering–agronomic approach, which forms the novelty of this work. A seven-tier vertical hydroponic structure (14 trays) was fabricated using stainless steel and equipped with automated irrigation, LED-based supplemental lighting, and an IoT-based monitoring system. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design with three irrigation durations (15, 10, and 5 s), two nutrient concentrations (100
Kernel texture is a key agronomic trait determining grain quality and storage stability in maize. The ratio of vitreous endosperm is the principal metric for kernel texture, and elucidating the key genes governing its formation is vital for maize breeding. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in seed development, their functions in controlling grain quality traits, especially endosperm texture, remain poorly understood. Here, we systematically dissect the regulatory role of the ZmmiR169o/ZmNF-YA13 module in maize kernel texture. Our results show that over-expression of ZmmiR169o significantly enhances kernel hardness, whereas over-expression of its target gene ZmNF-YA13 markedly reduces it. Further mechanistic investigation reveals that ZmNF-YA13 directly activates the expression of starch branching enzyme 1 (ZmSBE1), a key gene in starch biosynthesis. This activation alters amylose content, modulates starch granule size and packing pattern, and ultimately affects the proportion of vitreous endosperm and kernel hardness. Our study unveils a new regulatory pathway in which the ZmmiR169o/ZmNF-YA13 module precisely controls starch composition to determine kernel texture, providing molecular targets for quality oriented maize breeding and novel insights into miRNA mediated regulation of grain quality.
Abstract Background The agricultural use of sandy soils has expanded worldwide to meet the increasing demand for food and other agricultural commodities resulting from rapid population growth and urbanization. However, the inherent limitations of these soils, particularly their low capacity to retain water and nutrients, pose major challenges to sustainable crop production. Accordingly, field experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of integrated microbial and non-microbial biostimulants in improving the performance of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sakha-94). Wheat grains were co-inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus niger as phosphate-solubilizing fungi (TD + PSF), and plants were treated with potassium sulfate (K 2 SO 4 200 mg/l), tryptophan (Try 50 mgL- 1 ), K 2 SO 4 (200 mgL- 1 ) + Try (50 mgL −1 ), and two concentrations of banana peel extract (BPE) (500 and 1000 mgL- 1 ). Results Yield performance was substantially improved, with increases of 34.2%, 38.9%, and 44.1% in straw yield, biological yield, and grain yield, respectively. Supporting these yield gains, growth characteristics and physiological attributes were significantly enhanced. The combined application of TD + PSF and BPE1000 produced the highest increases in chlorophyll a (31.4%), chlorophyll b (83.6%), total pigments (48.2%), and phenolic compounds (18.9%). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content increased significantly following co-inoculation, with the greatest enhancement (34.9%) recorded under the K₂SO₄ + tryptophan treatment combined with TD + PSF. Grain nutritional quality was also enhanced. The BPE at 1000 mg L −1 combined with TD + PSF treatment resulted in the highest carbohydrate content (12.5%), whereas BPE500 combined with TD + PSF achieved the greatest increase in grain protein content (33.2%). The combination of K₂SO₄ + tryptophan and TD + PSF significantly improved mineral accumulation, increasing N, P, K, and Mg contents by 33.2, 41.7, 16.2, and 44.2%, respectively. In addition, the highest water productivity (44.12%) was obtained with BPE1000 combined with TD + PSF. The ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids in the grain yield was enriched by approximately 12–15% in plants treated with the combination of TD + PSF and other treatments. This enrichment indicates an improvement in the nutritional quality of the wheat grains, enhancing their value for human dietary needs. Conclusion Among the tested treatments, the combined application of (TD + PSF) and banana peel extract (1000 mg L⁻ 1 ) produced the greatest improvements in wheat growth, yield, and grain quality. These findings demonstrate that banana peel extract, particularly when combined with beneficial fungi, is a promising, low-cost, and eco-friendly biostimulant for wheat cultivation in reclaimed sandy soils, while promoting the sustainable utilization of agricultural waste.
The effects of oxalic acid, citric acid, and acetic acid (2.5 and 5 mmol) on nickel toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) grown in nickel-contaminated soil from industrial and mining-affected sites were investigated in a pot experiment under controlled greenhouse conditions. While organic acids are commonly used as chelators to enhance metal uptake in phytoextraction strategies, this study demonstrates a contrasting mechanism: they reduced nickel bioavailability and uptake in maize, a non-hyperaccumulator crop, thereby promoting phytostabilization rather than phytoextraction. This distinction is important because it highlights the context-dependent role of organic acids and supports their safe application for crop production on moderately contaminated soils. High-dose oxalic acid (5 mmol) produced the strongest effects, significantly increasing growth parameters (shoot height + 43.7
Abstract Artabotrys hexapetalus is used as traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of malaria. Its antimalarial activity has been shown to be the result of the sesquiterpene designated as yingzhaosu A (YZSA), which mainly occurs in the roots of A. hexapetalus. Despite its medicinal significance, the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of its active terpenoids remain unclear. In this study, a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of A. hexapetalus was first reported. In total, 915.15 Mb of genome sequences were assembled, of which 911.58 Mb was sorted into 8 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the divergence between the genera Artabotrys and Annona happened at approximately 45.77 million years ago (Mya) and the Annonaceae family diverged from other Magnolia species about 103.58 Mya. An ancient whole genome duplication (WGD) event was discovered in the A. hexapetalus genome, earlier than the divergence between Annonaceae and Magnoliaceae families. It correlates with a significant expansion of gene families related to secondary metabolism, especially the terpene synthase (TPS) and cytochrome P450 (P450) families. The analysis of TPS, P450, and 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase (2-ODD) gene families provides a foundation for future functional studies. Additionally, three putative terpene biosynthetic gene clusters were identified within the genome. Our work provides a foundation for elucidating the complete biosynthetic pathway of terpenoids in A. hexapetalus in the future.
This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic adjustment of Zygophyllum simplex (L.) four constituent varieties in Egypt, integrating morphological, anatomical, palynological, molecular, and phytochemical analyses to evaluate their infraspecific differentiation. Samples were collected from the eastern part of Egypt and subjected to detailed morphological, anatomical, and palynological analyses with SCoT molecular genotyping and HPLC phytochemical profiling. Four distinct morphological groups (informally designated as “cylindrica”, “retusa”, “orbicularis”, and “lanceolata”) were distinguished by significant differences in growth habit, leaf and stem anatomy, floral morphology, and fruit architecture. SCoT molecular marker analysis revealed a genetic similarity range of 0.825–0.881, with phylogenetic clustering strongly compatible with the morpho-anatomical groupings. HPLC profiling further identified group-specific accumulation patterns of key phenolic and flavonoid compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and catechin. While palynological analysis showed limited diagnostic value, the collective data from multiple disciplines provide robust evidence for the recognition of these four distinct morphotypes. Morphological, anatomical, and fruit architectural traits, together with group-specific phytochemical profiles and SCoT molecular markers, provided robust evidence for the differentiation of four distinct morphotypes within the Z. simplex complex. However, given the moderate resolution of SCoT markers (37.77
Globulin in maize kernels is a high-quality protein, which is mainly enriched in the embryo. However, academic research focusing on the molecular mechanism underlying globulin synthesis remains relatively limited to date. Therefore, unveiling the molecular mechanism of globulin synthesis in maize embryos is of great significance for the breeding of high-protein maize varieties. To gain better insights into this mechanism, we integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between two types of materials with distinct globulin contents. Two maize inbred lines were selected for this study, including B73 (low globulin content) and HP434 (high globulin content). Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that DEGs and DEPs were predominantly enriched in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing pathway. Significantly, most of these DEGs and DEPs belonged to the heat shock protein (HSP) family. This indicates that globulin synthesis is closely related to the genes of this family, especially the small molecule heat shock proteins. The high expression of HSP family genes in HP434 might alleviate the increased ER processing pressure caused by the aggregation of misfolded proteins during the high-abundance synthesis of globulin, thereby contributing to the synthesis of globulin in the ER.
Abstract Background Drought and salinity stresses are major and interrelated threats to crop productivity in arid lands. Understanding the mechanisms of tolerance to salinity and drought stresses is critical for selection of productive crop cultivars. Methods This work investigates the differential impact of salinity and drought stresses on growth and performance of Sohag 1 (Sohg) and Shandaweel 3 (Shnd) cultivars of sesame at the same water potential (0, -100, -250 and − 450 kPa) and nutrient supply in a hydroponic sand culture. Plant response to stress was evaluated in terms of growth and biomass fractionation, leaf orientation and gas exchange as well as the contents and fractionation of leaf photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates. Results The horizontal leaf orientation of Shnd was marginally affected by stress; meanwhile, the vertical leaves of Sohg became more vertical under salinity stress but less vertical under drought stress. Foliage of the two sesame cultivars was more tolerant to salt stress than to drought stress, with better tolerance of Shnd than Sohg. This was evident from the progressive drought-induced inhibition of foliage growth versus a mild retardation or even benefit by low salinity, along with slightly less severe effect of high salinity. Salinity targeted particularly root growth with favored biomass allocation to the foliage. By contrast, the enhancement of root growth and retardation of foliage growth under drought implies favored biomass allocation to root. Salinity reduced leaf pigment content in the two cultivars, particularly Sohg but drought either increased it or was without effect. Stress, post a threshold of -100 kPa, reduced stomatal conductance, the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration and water use efficiency, with stronger impact of salinity than drought. The lowering in leaf carbohydrate content was more aggressive under salinity than under drought, and was associated with increasing proportion of pectin at the expense of starch but variable changes in soluble sugars. Conclusion Salinity and drought stresses, at equivalent water potentials, differentially affect sesame growth, gas exchange, leaf orientation, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate fractions in a genotype-dependent pattern. Among the two investigated sesame cultivars, Shnd seems more stress-tolerant than Sohg. The present findings, obtained from a hydroponic sand culture under partially protected conditions, needs further evaluation under field conditions employing wider collection of genotypes.
