Epicuticular wax not only determines the glossiness of eggplant fruit skin but also plays a crucial role in moisture retention, extending shelf life, and enhancing plant resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the key regulatory genes and molecular mechanisms involved in wax biosynthesis in eggplants remain largely unclear. This study reports the identification of a positive regulatory factor for wax biosynthesis in eggplants, the AP2/ERF transcription factor SmWIN1 (WAX INDUCER1). SmWIN1 exhibits transcriptional activation activity and is primarily expressed in the fruit peel, with its expression being suppressed by UV-B treatment while induced by 4°C, PEG, and NaCl treatments. Overexpression of SmWIN1 significantly promotes wax biosynthesis in both the leaves and fruit peels of eggplants, enhancing their glossiness. Transcriptomic sequencing analysis revealed that over 20 structural genes involved in wax biosynthesis, including SmKCS6 (3-Ketoacyl-CoA Synthase 6) and SmLACS2 (Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Synthetase 2), were upregulated in the leaves of SmWIN1 transgenic plants. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that SmWIN1 activates the expression of these genes by binding to their respective promoters. This study elucidates the key regulatory genes and molecular mechanisms underlying epicuticular wax biosynthesis in eggplants, thereby deepening our understanding of the molecular regulation of wax formation in plants.

Anthocyanin accumulation determines the peel coloration of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and directly influences its visual quality and nutritional value. Compared with the well-studied activating modules of anthocyanin biosynthesis, repressors that restrict pigmentation in eggplant peel are less clearly defined. Here, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of three eggplant genotypes with distinct peel colors, C25 (light green), C202 (light purple), and Y38 (dark purple), to identify transcriptional repressors of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Expression profiling revealed that the core structural genes SmCHS, SmCHI, SmF3H, SmDFR, and SmANS were progressively upregulated across C25, C202, and Y38, with peak expression in the dark-purple genotype. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified SmF3H as a central scaffold of the anthocyanin metabolon. By integrating transcriptomic expression profiles with promoter-binding predictions, we isolated three MYB transcription factors, SmMYB60, SmMYB340, and SmMYB306, that were highly expressed in the light-green genotype C25. Y1H assays supported promoter binding, and Dual-LUC assays showed that the candidate MYBs repressed the promoters of SmF3H and SmANS. These findings delineate a negative regulatory network that governs anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant and provide genetic targets for molecular breeding to improve fruit coloration.

Heat stress is a major environmental factor limiting growth, flowering, and ornamental quality in roses. Although abscisic acid (ABA) is known to play an important role in plant responses to high temperature, the transcriptional regulation of ABA biosynthesis in woody ornamental species remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor RhBBX14 in regulating ABA biosynthesis and heat stress tolerance in rose by intergrating physiological analyses, transcriptome profiling, and functional assays. Initial heat treatments revealed cultivar-dependent differences in thermotolerance, which were associated with alterations in oxidative damage and membrane stability. Transcriptome profiling at 42 °C identified RhBBX14 as a heat-responsive transcription factor whose expression pattern was closely associated with ABA biosynthetic genes, particularly RhNCED3. Functional assays showed that RhBBX14 positively influenced heat tolerance by promoting ABA accumulation, at least in part through the regulation of RhNCED3 expression. These findings reveal that RhBBX14-mediated transcriptional regulation of ABA biosynthesis, rather than ABA signaling, plays an important role in heat stress adaptation in rose, providing physiological and molecular insights with potential relevant for improving thermotolerance in ornamental crops.

Chrysanthemum is an economically important species with substantial ornamental, edible, and medicinal value. Green-flowered chrysanthemums represent a rare and highly valued phenotype among cultivated varieties; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying green flower coloration remain poorly understood. Here, we integrated pigment quantification, transcriptome profiling, and functional validation to systematically elucidate the regulatory network governing green pigmentation. Chlorophyll content increased progressively during flower development. Transcriptomic analyses identified 11 key genes associated with chlorophyll metabolism, encompassing biosynthetic genes (GSA, HEMB, HEMY, CLH) and degradation-related genes (SGR, PPH, PAO). Notably, SGR expression was consistently downregulated throughout development. Three SGR homologs were identified in chrysanthemum—CmSGR1a, CmSGR1b, and CmSGRL—all of which localized to chloroplasts. Heterologous expression of each CmSGR in tobacco promoted chlorophyll degradation and induced leaf etiolation. In chrysanthemum, individual silencing of CmSGRL resulted in compensatory upregulation of CmSGR1a/b and accelerated chlorophyll degradation, producing lighter-colored flowers. Similarly, silencing either CmSGR1a or CmSGR1b induced upregulation of the remaining homologs and reduced chlorophyll accumulation. By contrast, simultaneous silencing of all three CmSGR genes markedly inhibited chlorophyll degradation, leading to significantly darker flowers with elevated chlorophyll levels. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CmSGR family members function redundantly and synergistically to regulate chlorophyll degradation, thereby maintaining the green flower phenotype. This study clarifies the molecular basis of green coloration in chrysanthemum and provides valuable genetic resources and theoretical support for flower color improvement.

The B-box (BBX) gene family plays a vital role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. This study aimed to characterize the SmBBX gene family in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), addressing the lack of systematic bioinformatics and functional studies in this species. A total of 33 SmBBX genes were identified through genome-wide analysis. These genes were phylogenetically grouped into five major clades, with shared domain structures, motifs, and genomic architectures among clade members. The gene duplication analysis revealed segmental duplication as the primary mechanism underlying the expansion of SmBBX proteins in eggplant. Additionally, expression profiling across diverse tissues and abiotic stress conditions, combined with the construction of protein-protein interaction networks and luciferase complementation assay, provided valuable insights into the functional roles of SmBBX genes. SmBBX21-2 and SmBBX22 were identified as the key regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis, activating the expression of SmCHS and SmDFR promoters. Functional validation via heterologous and homologous overexpression demonstrated that SmBBX22 promoted anthocyanin accumulation by upregulating the expression of structural genes (SmCHS, SmF3H, SmF3 ' 5 ' H, SmDFR, and SmANS) and transcription factors (SmTT8 and SmHY5) important for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the integration of DNA affinity purification sequencing and RNA-seq data revealed the direct transcriptional targets of SmBBX22, including genes involved in secondary metabolism, hormone signaling, and developmental regulation. This highlighted the role of SmBBX22 in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis. This study lays the foundation for understanding the functional roles of BBX genes in eggplant and provides new directions for future research in plant metabolism and stress adaptation.

Weismann’s germ plasm theory proposed that germline cells are set aside early in development, ensuring that mutations arising in somatic tissues during an organism’s lifetime are not inherited. While this principle has been well supported in animals, it has not been rigorously tested in plants. Plants differ fundamentally from animals in that their meristematic cells drive continuous growth and organ formation throughout life, leading to the long-held view that the plant germline segregates late. Here, we used a dynamic genome-editing lineage tracing system to construct cell lineages in Arabidopsis thaliana, including both somatic and germline cells. Our analysis of the cell lineage tree revealed two distinct germline segregation patterns. While some germline cells clustered with somatic cells from their branch of origin (consistent with late segregation), others from different branches shared a recent common ancestry (indicative of early segregation). This supports a dual-origin model for germline cells in A. thaliana: early-segregated germlines represent a plant counterpart to Weismann’s barrier, reducing the risk of transmitting excessive mutations across generations, whereas late-segregated germlines can inherit beneficial mutations acquired during development, potentially facilitating adaptation.

Organ abscission represents a critical adaptive strategy for plant survival, yet the post-translational mechanisms ensuring its irreversible remain poorly understood. Here, we unveil a signaling module, MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 3 (RhMPK3)-LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN 41 (RhLOB41)-WRKY DNA-BINDING PROTEIN 9 (RhWRKY9), that gates ethylene-induced petal abscission in rose (Rosa hybrida) by orchestrating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. We demonstrate that the transcription factor RhWRKY9 acts as a dual-function regulator, concurrently activating ROS production via activation of RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGUE D (RhRBOHD) and suppressing scavenging via repression of CATALASE 2 (RhCAT2), thereby generating a ROS burst that locks abscission progression. Ethylene primes this process by destabilizing RhLOB41, a transcriptional repressor of RhWRKY9, through RhMPK3-mediated phosphorylation at Ser30. Phosphorylation creates a phosphodegron that targets RhLOB41 for autophagy-dependent degradation. Our findings redefine ROS as decisive executors of abscission and establish bidirectional ROS control as a paradigm for irreversible developmental transitions.

Anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is highly light-dependent, and insufficient light severely impairs fruit coloration, which restricts the development of the eggplant industry. SmMYB75 is a key positive regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis, but its regulatory partners remain unclear. In this study, seven SmYABBY genes were identified from the eggplant genome, all containing conserved zinc finger and YABBY domains. Expression analysis showed that SmYABBY1 was predominantly expressed in fruit peel and significantly induced by light, with a peak at 4 h after light exposure. The yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays indicated that SmYABBY1 interacts with SmMYB75 and the light signaling regulator SmCOP1 in the nucleus. The heterologous overexpression of SmYABBY1 in Arabidopsis enhanced anthocyanin accumulation and upregulated the expression of anthocyanin structural genes. Transient co-expression in tobacco leaves further demonstrated that SmYABBY1 synergistically enhances SmMYB75-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis. The yeast one-hybrid and Dual-LUC assays revealed that SmYABBY1 does not directly bind to the promoters of SmMYB75, SmDFR, and SmANS but indirectly promotes their transcriptional activity. Our results illustrate that SmYABBY1 acts as a transcriptional co-activator, interacting with SmMYB75 to promote anthocyanin accumulation, while SmCOP1 is involved in this regulatory process. This study provides a molecular basis for improving eggplant coloration under suboptimal light conditions.

Background:Chrysanthemum is an economically important ornamental species whose genetic diversity assessment forms the foundation for effective breeding programs. Methods: Phenotypic characterization of 12 traits (7 quantitative and 5 qualitative traits) was conducted alongside SCoT marker analysis to assess genetic diversity and perform marker–trait association analysis in 65 chrysanthemum accessions. Results: Quantitative traits showed 14.81–26.43% variation (peduncle length most variable), while qualitative traits exhibited Shannon–Weiner indices of 0.23–2.28 (flower color most diverse). Phenotypic analyses consistently grouped accessions into two clusters. SCoT markers generated 160 bands (159 polymorphic; 6.957 bands/marker) with high PIC values (0.408–0.896). Molecular analyses also revealed two genetic groups, though with partial discordance to phenotypic clusters. Eight significant marker–trait associations were identified, linking SCoT28/3/30/31/35/20/14/36 to flowering duration, plant height, peduncle diameter, flower color, and pest resistance traits. Conclusions: The study revealed substantial diversity in local chrysanthemum germplasm, with SCoT markers effectively capturing genetic variation. While phenotypic and molecular groupings showed partial mismatch, identified marker–trait associations (e.g., SCoT28 linked to flowering duration) provide practical tools for marker-assisted breeding.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is recognized as an important gaseous signaling molecule, similar to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. However, less is known about the biosynthetic mechanism of H2S in plants and its role in plant-pathogen interactions. Here, we show that H2S induces the bursts of reactive oxygen species and upregulates the expression of defense-related genes in rice. However, excessive H2S concentrations inhibit rice growth. We found that the cystathionine β-synthase OsCBSX3 regulates rice growth and resistance to bacteria pathogens, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) and X. oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), by modulating H2S biosynthesis. OsCBSX3 exists in both oligomeric and monomeric forms in rice. Compared with wild-type OsCBSX3, an oligomerization-disrupted mutant exhibits the reduced capacity for H2S synthesis, diminished resistance to X. oryzae, and inability to localize to the chloroplast. Upon pathogen infection, rice triggers PsbO-dependent oligomerization of OsCBSX3, leading to increased H2S production and enhanced defense responses. However, excessive concentrations of H2S reduce the oligomerized form of OsCBSX3, facilitating its dissociation from PsbO, an important subunit of photosystem II, and its binding to OsTrxZ, a member of the thioredoxin family. We further demonstrated that OsTrxZ can directly convert OsCBSX3 into monomers, thereby mitigating the excessive H2S synthesis and its negative effects on rice growth and development. Overexpression of PsbO enhances rice resistance to both Xoc and Xoo, whereas overexpression of OsTrxZ exerts the opposite effect. Taken together, these findings suggest that PsbO and OsTrxZ antagonistically modulate the interconversion between oligomeric and monomeric forms of OsCBSX3, thereby balancing rice resistance and developmental processes.

Phalangeal neck fractures (PNFs) are predominantly observed in the pediatric population. This study aims to investigate surgical outcomes and complications of PNF in children less than 3 years of age. Clinical data of children diagnosed with PNF treated in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. At final follow-up, the outcome was evaluated by a modified Al-Qattan’s grading system. There were 37 patients as our study population, including 22 male and 15 female patients with a mean age of 26.7 ± 2.1 months. Patients were followed up for a mean of 20 months. There were 27 PNFs with Type II fractures and ten patients were confirmed as Type III before treatment, respectively. Eight children had concurrent injuries, four of them accompanied by soft tissue injury and four of them accompanied by open fractures. Four cases occurred loss of reduction without further surgical correction. There was a significant difference in loss of reduction between PNFs of the thumbs and PNFs of other fingers (P < 0.05). According to the modified Al-Qattan’s grading system, 33 patients (89.2

Fruit are an important source of human dietary nutrition, in which carotenoids are crucial for their appearance and nutritional quality. However, the regulatory network of carotenoid biosynthesis in the fruit of horticultural crops remains obscure. Here, a natural tomato mutant, yellowing mutant (ym), ym ), in the genetic background of Solanum lycopersicum cultivar 'Zhongshu 4' (ZS4) was investigated. Phenotypic analysis showed that the coloring of ym fruit was delayed compared to their wild type, and carotenoid content in ym fruit was significantly lower than that of ZS4 fruit. Integrative metabolome and transcriptome profiling was used to analyze the dynamic changes of carotenoid metabolite content and gene expression in ZS4 and ym fruit during ripening, and differences in carotenoid metabolite content and gene expression between ZS4 and ym fruit were compared. In contrast to ZS4 fruit, the content of carotenes dramatically decreased in ym fruit, of which phytoene and lycopene levels were down-regulated in ym throughout fruit ripening. In the process of fruit ripening, the transcriptome fluctuation of ym was obviously stronger than that of ZS4. Differences in gene expression between ZS4 and ym gradually reduced with fruit ripening. Furthermore, 105 consistently up-regulated and 113 consistently down-regulated genes were found in ym fruit during ripening. KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that differentially expressed genes between ZS4 and ym were implicated in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Correlation analysis showed that 28 genes were positively correlated with phytoene and lycopene content, including SlNF-YA3b (Solyc12G000315) encoding an NF-YA subunit of nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factors. Expression analysis exhibited that SlNF-YA3b presented a ripening-related expression pattern. Virus- induced gene silencing demonstrated that SlNF-YA3b positively regulated carotenoid accumulation in tomato fruit. . Yeast-one hybrid and transcriptional activity assays showed that SlNF-YA3b could bind to the promoter of the carotenogenic gene SlPDS (Solyc03G003570) and promote its transcription. These data suggest that SlNFYA3b may participate in the regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato fruit by directly activating the expression of SlPDS. . Our findings not only achieve deeper insights into the regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in the fruit of horticultural crops but also provide better guidance for the improvement of fruit quality maintenance technologies.

The Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technique enables exact estimate of target gene expression, careful selection of appropriate reference genes is required. In this study, we evaluated eight candidate reference genes (GAPDH-1, GAPDH-2, EF1A-1, EF1A-2, 18SrRNA-1, 18SrRNA-2, 18SrRNA-3, UBQ) using root tissues from Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk under two different abiotic stress conditions. Quantification of expression levels was carried through qRT-PCR analysis and stability was assessed using geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper algorithms as well as RefFinder software. Validation was performed by analyzing ABF gene expression. Our findings showed that the expression stability of GAPDH-2 was the highest, while 18SrRNA-3 was the lowest. This study provides valuable insights for standardized selection of reference genes and accurate transcript quantification in SD gene expression and functional analysis.

Light significantly impacts anthocyanin synthesis. The anthocyanin content serves as a vital quality indicator for purple eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Cultivation under low-light conditions often results in inadequate coloration of the purple eggplant rind, adversely affecting fruit quality. This study, aimed to introduce SmERF118, a light-induced ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factor, as a positive regulator of anthocyanin synthesis in eggplant pericarp under low-light conditions, yet its precise mechanism remained unclear. Further, SmHY5, a bZIP transcription factor was identified, which bound to the G-box element of the SmERF118 promoter, thereby activating its expression. The overexpression of SmERF118 significantly enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in the eggplant stalks. Transcriptome analysis corroborated that the differentially expressed genes in SmERF118-overexpressing plants are predominantly enriched in pathways associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. The analysis revealed a significant upregulation of key transcription factors and structural genes pivotal to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Through a yeast two-hybrid screening assay, SmMYB1, a pivotal MYB transcription factor that promotes anthocyanin synthesis, were screened as an interacting protein of SmERF118. Subsequent bimolecular fluorescence complementation, GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the interaction between SmERF118 and SmMYB1 both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, dualLuciferase (dual-LUC) and transient overexpression experiments demonstrated that SmERF118 and SmMYB1 formed a complex that jointly activated essential genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis, specifically SmCHS and SmDFR, thereby enhancing anthocyanin accumulation. Ultimately, the study elucidated that light signaling promoted anthocyanin synthesis in eggplant via SmERF118-SmMYB1 regulatory module. These findings contributed to a refined understanding of the molecular regulatory network governing anthocyanin synthesis in eggplant and enhanced the comprehension of how light signaling regulated this process.

Anthocyanins significantly influence both the visual quality and nutritional value of eggplants. Exogenous application of jasmonic acid enhanced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant peel under low-light conditions and induced the expression of several MYB genes. In this paper, these MYB proteins were investigated by yeast one-hybrid experiments, and it was found that SmMYB6.2 could directly bind to the promoter sequence of the anthocyanin synthesis structural gene SmANS. SmMYB6.2 was a nuclear-localized protein whose expression could be induced by various stimuli, including UV-B radiation, blue light, ABA treatment, PEG stress, and low-temperature exposure at 4 °C. Next, overexpression of SmMYB6.2 in Arabidopsis promoted anthocyanin accumulation and enhanced the gene expression of AtANS. Further, Dual-LUC assays demonstrated that SmMYB6.2 enhanced its transcriptional activation of the SmANS promoter through protein-protein interactions with the bHLH proteins SmTT8, SmbHLH79, and SmGLABRA3. These findings deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant peel and provide candidate genes for breeding anthocyanin-enriched eggplant varieties.

Drought induces tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) flowers and fruits drop, which causes serious yield and economic losses in agriculture. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a prevalent epigenetic change integral to the growth, development, and adaptation of plants to abiotic stress factors. However, whether it participates in drought-induced abscission remains to be further studied. Here, we report that tomato demethylase alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase B (AlkB) homolog 9B (SlALKBH9B) exerts a detrimental influence on the regulation of drought-induced flower drop by mediating ethylene production. We found that drought markedly reduced the expression of SlALKBH9B, and knockout of SlALKBH9B enhanced flower drop, while overexpression of SlALKBH9B delayed the flower drop. Under drought conditions, the ethylene production of Slalkbh9b exhibited a considerably greater yield than that of the wild type (WT), while SlALKBH9B overexpression plants had lower ethylene production. Application of ethylene could abolish the delayed abscission effect of overexpression of SlALKBH9B. Further studies showed that drought downregulated SlALKBH9B expression, which specifically enhanced the methylation level of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of tomato ethylene excess producer 1 (SlETO1), leading to a decrease in the stability of SlETO1 mRNA and its protein translation efficiency. The loss of SlETO1 resulted in the accumulation of tomato 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase 3 (SlACS3) and SlACS8 in the abscission zone (AZ) and then boosted ethylene production to accelerate abscission. Our results show that SlALKBH9B is an important inhibitor for drought-induced abscission and reveal a new mechanism through which drought-enhanced ethylene production leads to flower drop.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial physiological role in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. However, the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in TAMs within pancreatic tumors remains unclear. By lncRNA sequencing between TAMs and resident macrophages from normal tissues in pancreatic cancer, it is found that H19 is highly expressed in TAMs and is correlated with the prognosis and stages of pancreatic cancer. Constructing a co-culture model of THP-1 derived TAMs and pancreatic cancer cells, H19 promotes the polarization of TAMs towards the M2 phenotype and the secretion of IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β, both in vivo and in vitro, indirectly enhancing pancreatic cancer proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, H19 competitively binds to the mRNA of YTHDC1 with MiR-107, and also interacts with the YTHDC1 protein, regulating the stability of SRSF1 and thereby affecting the alternative splicing of IL-6 and IL-10. Utilizing organoids and the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, it is found that ruxolitinib may represent a promising treatment option for PDAC patients with high H19 expression.

Low temperature usually results in the developmental deformity of flower organs, immensely affecting the quality of rose flowers. However, it’s largely unknown about the regulatory mechanisms activated by low temperature. Here, we used a low temperature-sensitive Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Peach Avalanche’ to screen a MADS-box gene RhAGL6 via conjoint analysis between RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Furthermore, we found that low temperature induced the hypermethylation and elevated histone 3 lys-27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) level on the RhAGL6 promoter, leading to decreased RhAGL6 expression. In addition, RhAGL6 silencing resulted in the formation of abnormal receptacles. We also found that the levels of gibberellins (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) in the receptacle under low temperature were lower and higher, respectively, than under normal temperature. Promoter activity analysis revealed that GA3 significantly activated RhAGL6 promoter activity, whereas ABA inhibited it. Thus, we propose that RhAGL6 regulates rose receptacle development by integrating epigenetic regulation and phytohormones signaling at low temperature.

Prickle is a sharp protrusion that covering plant and fruit calyxes of eggplant are considered undesirable agronomic traits, for they bring troubles and create additional costs for farmers. However, little is known about its regulatory genes and molecular mechanism of morphogenesis. In this study, two eggplant inbred lines, prickly '140' and prickleless '145' were applied to construct F1, BC1, and F2 offspring populations. Genetic analysis results showed that prickle's absence/presence on various organs in eggplant was controlled by only one dominant nuclear gene. The PRICKLE LOCUS (Pl) was fine mapped into a candidate interval with 28.3 Kb on chromosome 6 ultimately by adopting bulked segregant analysis combined with genome walking strategy. An auxin response factor SmARF18 (Smechr0602826.1) was deduced to be a candidate gene encoded by Pl, which possesses a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism co-segregating with prickle phenotype in F2 population. The finding here could provide a basis to reveal the molecular regulatory mechanism of prickle morphogenesis in plants and breed prickle-free eggplant cultivars.