BackgroundBack pain is extremely common in agriculture, horticulture, and seafood workers. There is a gap in studies for horticulture and seafood sectors and a scoping review with a wide lens could help inform research within, and across sectors.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to establish available evidence for intervention strategies in agricultural, horticulture, and seafood workers to minimize, prevent, or address back pain.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using 15 bibliographic databases encompassing health, business, and agricultural interventions without study type or publication date limits. Articles were screened and extracted by two independent reviewers, with a third resolving discrepancies. Data was synthesized and studies categorized to help inform future research.ResultsData were extracted from 74 studies; agriculture interventions were most common (82%), with few agriculture and horticulture (4%), horticulture (5%), and seafood studies (7%). Interventions were mostly ergonomic (72%; engineering 65%, administrative 3%, engineering and administrative 3%), with fewer self-management (16%; education, exercise, education and exercise 5% each), or both ergonomic and self-management (12%) studies.ConclusionsThere is a major gap in studies in horticulture and seafood sectors, and future research could build from existing evidence in agriculture and across sectors. There is a need for field studies for participants who have pain across all sectors, and rigorous research designs including larger sample sizes and longer follow-up. Future studies focusing on administrative controls, exercise, education, and multimodal approaches are needed, especially if the results translate to multiple sectors.RegistrationThe scoping review protocol was registered through the Open Science Framework on March 26, 2024. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FB3ST.
Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), severely limits citrus production worldwide. We investigated how oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection affects the citrus holobiont, examining its ability to suppress CLas and improve tree performance while assessing compartment-specific responses of the microbiome and resistome. A field experiment was conducted in CLas-infected sweet orange trees, integrating qPCR pathogen quantification, fruit yield and juice quality measurements, functional pathway analysis, and genome-resolved profiling across leaves, bark, fibrous roots, and the rhizosphere at three time points after injection. OTC reduced CLas abundance in leaves and improved fruit yield and juice quality without altering microbial diversity. No clear OTC-associated shifts in microbial functional pathways were observed in aboveground compartments, and resistome profiles were strongly compartment-dependent but showed no detectable response to OTC treatment. However, pronounced functional shifts were detected in belowground compartments, with consistent reductions in carbon-, nitrogen-, and phosphorus-related pathways and declines in several taxa and metagenome-assembled genomes associated with nutrient turnover. In contrast, stress-tolerance and xenobiotic-responsive microorganisms were enriched. In addition, these belowground responses were associated with low-abundance, rare taxa rather than by changes in alpha diversity or the dominant community, revealing a hidden functional reconfiguration that was concentrated in the root and rhizosphere compartments most relevant to nutrient cycling and long-term soil health. These findings demonstrate that systemically delivered OTC induces targeted, compartment-specific reorganization of microbiome functions rather than broad disruption. By linking physiological improvement with functional and genome-resolved microbial responses, this study highlights the broader ecological consequences of antibiotic interventions in perennial crops.
Ex situ plant collections may be increasingly needed to protect representative samples of threatened or rare species and provide plant material for conservation translocation. A primary problem in these ex situ collections is loss of intraspecific variation due to plant death. Different management actions would be required depending on whether such loss results from demographic stochasticity or selection. We developed a method to test for maternal line selection according to provenance, given that maternal line and provenance serve as convenient and important partitions of the intraspecific variation represented in ex situ plant collections. The method tests for provenance selection (i.e., the differential survival of plants in maternal lines sourced from different geographic regions) and opportunity for selection within provenances (i.e., differential survival among plants in maternal lines sourced from the same geographic region). We used data from an ex situ collection of 243 saplings sourced from eight provenance regions and 42 maternal lines of Arkansas oak (Quercus arkansana), a vulnerable tree species restricted to small, scattered populations. We found no statistically significant provenance selection or opportunity for selection among the maternal lines during a 10.5-month period, despite low overall survival rate (0.531) and large variation in survival rate among provenances (0.250-0.833) and maternal lines (0-1). By distinguishing survival patterns expected solely under demographic stochasticity from those likely resulting from selection, our method can be used to inform management of a wide range of ex situ collections for plant conservation. Medición de la selección de la línea materna impulsada por la supervivencia diferencial en colecciones ex situ para la conservación de plantas Resumen Las colecciones de plantas ex situ pueden ser cada vez más necesarias para proteger muestras representativas de especies amenazadas o raras y proporcionar material vegetal para la translocación con fines de conservación. Un problema fundamental en estas colecciones ex situ es la pérdida de variación intraespecífica debido a la muerte de las plantas. Se requerirían diferentes medidas de manejo dependiendo de si dicha pérdida se debe a la estocasticidad demográfica o a la selección. Desarrollamos un método para evaluar la selección de líneas maternas según la procedencia, dado que la línea materna y la procedencia sirven como divisiones convenientes e importantes de la variación intraespecífica representada en las colecciones de plantas ex situ. El método evalúa la selección por procedencia (es decir, la supervivencia diferencial de las plantas en líneas maternas provenientes de diferentes regiones geográficas) y la oportunidad de selección dentro de las procedencias (es decir, la supervivencia diferencial entre plantas de líneas maternas provenientes de la misma región geográfica). Utilizamos datos de una colección ex situ de 243 plantines provenientes de ocho regiones de procedencia y 42 líneas maternas del roble de Arkansas (Quercus arkansana), una especie arbórea vulnerable restringida a poblaciones pequeñas y dispersas. No encontramos ninguna selección por procedencia ni oportunidad de selección estadísticamente significativas entre las líneas maternas durante un período de 10.5 meses, a pesar de la baja tasa de supervivencia general (0.531) y la gran variación en la tasa de supervivencia entre procedencias (0.250‐0.833) y líneas maternas (0‐1). Al distinguir los patrones de supervivencia esperados únicamente bajo la estocasticidad demográfica de aquellos que probablemente resulten de la selección, nuestro método puede utilizarse para orientar el manejo de una amplia gama de colecciones ex situ para la conservación de plantas.
Powdery mildew caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum is a major constraint in bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) production, leading to significant yield and quality losses under favourable environmental conditions. This review aims to synthesise current knowledge on the biology, epidemiology and molecular interactions of the bhendi-powdery mildew pathosystem, with emphasis on sustainable management through biological control agents. The pathogen establishes a biotrophic relationship via haustorial development and effector-mediated suppression of host immunity, while host defence involves pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity, including reactive oxygen species production and callose deposition. Biological control agents such as Ampelomyces quisqualis, Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. exhibit diverse mechanisms including hyperparasitism, mycoparasitism, antibiosis and induction of systemic resistance. These agents enhance plant defence through increased activity of key enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, contributing to reduced disease severity. Advances in formulation technologies, including talc-based carriers, alginate encapsulation and oil-assisted delivery systems, have improved the efficacy and field stability of these agents. Integrated approaches combining compatible biological control agents and low-risk chemicals provide enhanced disease suppression compared with single-agent applications. However, variability in field performance, environmental constraints and limited molecular understanding of pathogen diversity remain key challenges. Future strategies integrating omics-based approaches, genome editing and climate-informed disease prediction are essential for improving the consistency and effectiveness of biological control. Overall, biological control integrated within sustainable management frameworks offers a viable alternative to chemical fungicides for managing powdery mildew in bhendi.
Organ abscission is a core developmental process that allows plants to optimize resource allocation, maximize reproductive fitness, and respond to environmental cues. In agricultural systems, however, premature fruit abscission can severely reduce yield. Here, we investigate premature fruit drop in litchi and identify the hexokinase homolog LcHXK1 as a non-glycolytic hexose sensor that suppresses abscission by activating a pedicel lignification program. LcHXK1 physically associates with and phosphorylates the WRKY transcription factor LcWRKY42, a modification that enhances its stability and transcriptional activity in inducing laccase and peroxidase genes required for lignin polymerization, promoting lignin deposition and reinforcing the pedicel to prevent organ detachment. Over expression of LcHXK1 or LcWRKY42 in litchi callus and in Arabidopsis elevates lignin content, increases laccase and peroxidase activities, and delays organ abscission, revealing a conserved sugar-responsive pathway. LcWRKY42 also upregulates LcHXK1, forming a positive feedback loop that amplifies hexose signaling. Together, these findings define a sugar-sensing regulatory module that couples carbon status to pedicel lignification, providing a mechanistic framework for improving fruit retention in crops.
Atractylodes lancea in the family Asteraceae is an important plant in traditional herbal medicine. Although its genome has been reported, this species harbors B chromosomes whose DNA composition and biological significance remain largely unexplored. Here, we dissect the origin, structure, and diversification of A. lancea B chromosomes, using an integrated genomic and cytogenetic approach. Illumina sequencing of bulk samples and RepeatExplorer2 analysis identified two satellite repeats as major components of B chromosomes: CL2, a centromeric and pericentromeric repeat shared with A chromosomes, and CL47/59, a B chromosome-specific repeat localized to the interstitial region of B chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization uncovered striking variation among B chromosomes in repeat distribution, as well as in length and the arm ratio. CL47/59 abundance was positively correlated with B chromosome length, implicating its amplification during B chromosome enlargement. Integrating these genomic and cytological observations, we propose a model for B chromosome diversification in A. lancea, involving a pericentric inversion and the differential accumulation of CL2 and CL47/59 repeats.
Bean broomrape is one of the most destructive parasitic weeds limiting faba bean production in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility of Faba bean genotypes to Bean Broomrape infestation. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate nine Faba bean cultivars with diverse genetic backgrounds. The tested cultivars were Sakha 1, Misr 3, Mariout 2, Giza 429, Giza 843, Giza 716, Nubaria 1, Nubaria 3, and Wadi 1. Giza 429 had the highest plant (73 cm), and Nubaria 1 had the greatest root fresh weight (39.3 g). Giza 429 produced the highest seed yield (3.2 t/ha) and the lowest Bean Broomrape dry weight (40.3 g/m2). In contrast, Nubaria 1 was the most susceptible, with severe yield reduction (0.87 t/ha) and high infestation (110.4 g/m2). Physio-biochemical analyses revealed that resistant cultivars (Giza 429, Misr 3) had increased antioxidant activity and phenolic content, while showing reduced proline. Tolerant cultivars had larger vascular cylinder diameters, wider xylem vessels, and thicker phloem tissue, which enhances nutrient transport and structural resistance to Bean Broomrape. Susceptible cultivars displayed reduced vascular development and smaller xylem vessel areas. Giza 429 is a promising genetic resource for breeding programs aimed at enhancing tolerance to broomrape. The findings highlight the potential contributions of biochemical defense responses and root anatomical adaptations to tolerance mechanisms in faba bean under O. crenata infestation.
Chlorophyll is central to the capture of light energy but also contributes to pigmentation of plant products such as fruit. Bagging treatments are widely used to enhance chlorophyll degradation and to improve the visual quality of fruit such as apples, pears, and peaches. In this study, a bagging treatment of kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis (cultivar Jinshi; "JS") accelerated flesh chlorophyll degradation. RNA-seq analysis indicated that AcFBA2, which encodes a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) enzyme, and AcRBCS1, encoding Rubisco small subunit (RBCS), both in the Calvin cycle, were significantly downregulated. Knockout of either gene resulted in leaf yellowing in kiwifruit, accompanied by severe damage to chloroplast structure. Further experiments indicated that AcFBA2 and AcRBCS1 could form a protein complex, which also occurred in orthologous Arabidopsis enzymes. Additionally, we identified two HSF transcription factors, AcHSFB2a and AcHSFA7a, which bind to the promoters of AcFBA2 and AcRBCS1, respectively, and repress their expression, thereby promoting yellowing of kiwifruit flesh. Transient overexpression of AcHSFB2a or AcHSFA7a could reduce chlorophyll content in tobacco leaves. In summary, an unexpected physical interaction between two key Calvin cycle enzymes (FBA and RBCS) was shown in kiwifruit and Arabidopsis, and downregulation of these two genes by bagging treatment and genome editing could lead to de-greening. Transcriptional regulation by AcHSFB2a and AcHSFA7a suggests a potential regulatory network linking HSF transcription factors with photosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation.
The development of the high-value 'Fengtang' plum industry in Guizhou Province is constrained by a low fruit set rate and inconsistent fruit quality. This study investigated the efficacy of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs)-gibberellic acid (GA3) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), applied individually or in combination at flowering-on improving fruit set, yield, growth dynamics, quality, and storage characteristics. Treatments included foliar sprays of 100 mg L- 1 GA3, 30 mg L- 1 NAA, 100 mg L- 1 GA3 + 30 mg L- 1 NAA, and a distilled water control (CL). Results demonstrated that the 100 mg L- 1 GA3 treatment significantly increased the [GA3 + IAA + tZ (trans-zeatin, a natural endogenous cytokinin)]/ABA ratio in pistils, achieving a fruit set rate of 4.13% (2.32 times that of CL) and boosting yield by 48.65% compared with CL. This treatment also significantly enhanced fruit weight (increased by 27.98 g), vertical diameter (increased by 9.42 mm), fruit shape index (increased by 0.14), and fruit firmness (increased by 1.68 N cm- 2) at maturity. Furthermore, GA3 application significantly elevated key quality parameters, including vitamin C (2.49 mg 100 g- 1), total phenols (0.52 mg g- 1), and total flavonoids (0.36 mg g- 1). During storage, GA3-treated fruit exhibited a delayed decline in firmness (1.35 times that of CL) and maintained higher levels of soluble sugars (1.15 times that of CL) and soluble solids content (SSC, 1.17 times that of CL). While the NAA treatment improved fruit weight (increased by 28.19 g) and vertical diameter (increased by 8.39 mm), its overall effect was inferior to that of GA3. The combined GA3 + NAA treatment showed no significant improvement over GA3 alone for most parameters. In conclusion, foliar application of 100 mg L- 1 GA3 at flowering effectively regulates endogenous hormonal balance, significantly enhances fruit set, yield, quality, and storage characteristics in 'Fengtang' plum, establishing it as the optimal PGR protocol for high-quality and high-yield cultivation.
Pitaya fruit is of high nutritional and economic value, yet the molecular mechanisms governing its aroma formation during ripening remain poorly understood. This study employed an integrated approach combining E-nose, HS-SPME-GC-MS, and transcriptomics to investigate the formation and dynamic changes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their underlying molecular mechanisms in "Zihonglong" pitaya from Guizhou Province, China. A total of 856 VOCs were tentatively identified, among which terpenoids, esters, and ketones were the predominant chemical groups. Based on relative odor activity values (rOAV > 1), 79 compounds were identified as key contributors to aroma perception. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that α-linolenic acid metabolism, terpenoid biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were closely associated with volatile formation during ripening. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further revealed two major regulatory modules, designated "Turquoise" and "Blue", which showed strong correlations with the accumulation patterns of characteristic aroma metabolites. Multivariate analysis of E-nose responses successfully distinguished unripe fruit from ripening stages, demonstrating its potential for rapid maturity screening. This study provides mechanistic insights into aroma evolution during pitaya ripening and supports the development of aroma-based quality evaluation strategies.
Jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives, including methyl jasmonate, are well-known plant growth regulators that mediate a wide range of physiological and developmental processes. Although the role of JA in regulating fruit trichome density has been recognized, the specific mechanisms underlying this remain to be fully understood. This study investigated the effects of various JA concentrations on trichome density at different developmental stages in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Our findings revealed a dose-dependent increase in trichome density following exogenous JA application, with 1.5 mM JA showing the most significant effect at all stages. Conversely, the use of a JA biosynthesis inhibitor resulted in reduced trichome density, further highlighting the pivotal role of JA in trichome formation. Through transcriptomic analysis, we identified the allene oxide synthase CsAOS gene, which encodes an allene oxide synthase, as a key regulator of the JA biosynthesis enzyme preferentially expressed in trichomes. To investigate its functional role, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and overexpression strategies. Knockout of CsAOS in wild-type plants lead to a significant reduction in trichome density, whereas CsAOS overexpression in wild-type plants resulted in an enhanced trichome phenotype. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing trichome development in cucumbers, establishing CsAOS as a critical mediator of JA signaling in regulating trichome density. This study not only sheds light on the intricate relationship between JA and trichome development but also paves the way for future applications in plant breeding and genetic modification to improve pest resistance and herbivore defense.
Hypholomine B, a styrylpyrone-class polyphenol, was isolated from the fruiting body of Tropicoporus linteus (syn. Phellinus linteus) HN00K9 and identified using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of hypholomine B using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The hypholomine B showed proliferative activity in LPS-activated cells at a high concentration of 250 µg/mL, without cytotoxicity. In contrast, hispidin was cytotoxic, inhibiting cell viability at concentrations above 30 µg/mL. Treatment with hypholomine B caused a concentration-dependent decrease in nitric oxide (NO) release from LPS-activated cells. In addition, hypholomine B suppressed the LPS-induced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, it was revealed that hypholomine B has an anticancer effect against HCT116 human colon cancer cells through apoptosis induction.
Plant factories provide a controlled platform for rice cultivation and rapid breeding, yet the effects of controlled environments on rice growth and yield formation remain poorly understood relative to field conditions. This study systematically compared growth duration, plant architecture, root and leaf traits, biomass accumulation, yield components, and environmental dynamics of three representative rice cultivars grown under field and plant factory conditions. Logistic model fitting was used to characterize plant height growth dynamics, and five machine learning models were further applied to predict plant height and assess the relative importance of growth- and environment-related variables. The results showed that a plant factory shortened the average growth duration from 138 to 95 days compared with field cultivation and promoted early vegetative development, including stronger tillering, larger total leaf area, longer roots, and greater fresh biomass accumulation. It also increased the total panicles per unit area and the grain number per panicle, whereas seed-setting rate, 1000-grain weight, and final grain yield were not significantly increased. The machine learning models achieved high predictive accuracy for plant height (R2>0.9), with growth duration as the dominant predictor in both systems, followed by CO2 concentration in the plant factory and cultivar in the field. These findings reveal that controlled-environment cultivation reshapes rice developmental rhythm and vegetative-reproductive allocation, providing a physiological basis for understanding rice plasticity and optimizing plant factory-based rice production.
Loquat is highly susceptible to postharvest deterioration, including browning and lignification, which limits its storage life. This study investigated the effects of combined L-cysteine (L-Cys) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment on postharvest quality maintenance of loquat fruit and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Physiological assessments revealed that the combined treatment significantly delayed fruit softening, reduced weight loss and browning, suppressed decay incidence, and maintained higher levels of soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total phenolics. Integrated multi-omics analysis demonstrated that L-Cys+GABA treatment primarily modulated the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, leading to suppressed lignin biosynthesis through coordinated downregulation of key biosynthetic genes (COMT, CCR, LAC) and reduced accumulation of corresponding metabolites. These findings reveal that L-Cys+GABA combined treatment delays postharvest senescence in loquat fruit by targeting the phenylpropanoid pathway to inhibit lignification, providing a physiological and molecular basis for its application as an effective preservation strategy.
Black spot disease, caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata, is a global plant pathogen that lacks sustainable control measures and poses a serious threat to multiple economically important crops. One approach to enhancing disease resistance in susceptible plants is grafting them onto disease-resistant rootstocks, yet the mechanisms by which roots enhance disease resistance in shoots remains largely unknown. Here, using chrysanthemum-Artemisia vulgaris grafts, we identified that a raffinose synthase-encoding gene, CmRS6, is essential in the susceptible chrysanthemum scion for graft-transmitted resistance from the disease-resistant A. vulgaris rootstock. Exogenous raffinose treatments enhanced A. alternata resistance in chrysanthemum, tomato, cabbage, and apple, highlighting its broad defensive role. The CmERF1B transcription factor activated CmRS6 expression and raffinose accumulation, whereas CmJAZ1-like repressed CmERF1B via direct interaction. While we found evidence for rootstock-to-scion transport of raffinose, long-distance JA transport from A. vulgaris rootstocks to chrysanthemum scions was the primary mechanism for graft-transmitted resistance, and A. alternata infection further promoted JA transport. Collectively, our study demonstrates that rootstock-to-scion JA transport mediates graft-transmitted A. alternata resistance by up-regulating scion raffinose biosynthesis, thereby offering new strategies for the sustainable control of A. alternata in crops.
Apomixis is the reproduction mode in which only the mother's genes are transmitted from generation to generation. If this trait can be put to practical use, it is expected to be a truly epoch-making breeding method, as seed production costs can be greatly reduced by fixing F1 hybrids. This study aimed to isolate the aposporous apomixis gene and analyze how the gene(s) will be expressed from/in the aposporous guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.). A new classification method using the ovary length as an index was developed to sample different developmental stages of ovaries and buds in obligate sexual plants and apomicts. A cDNA library was derived from the ovaries of aposporous accession N68/96-8-o-11 staged at the appearance of aposporous initial cells (AICs) to isolate AIC stage-specific genes. Using differential screening, four AIC stage-specific cDNA clones obtained from ten thousand of plaques by Northern blot hybridization showed the same start codon and sequences, ranging in lengths from 577 to 1182 bp. The characteristics and their homologies of the four cDNA clones are similar to Apomixis-specific gene-1 (ASG-1), indicating that they are the different cDNA clones of Apomixis-specific gene-1 homolog (ASG-1H). In situ expression analysis detected signals without distinguishing between ASG-1 mRNA and the ASG-1H on gene expression specifically in AIC, AIC-derived embryo sacs, and root tips and shoot apical meristems of aposporous accession. The finding and identification of ASG-1H expressed at the times of AIC appearance and AIC-derived embryo sac formation, may represent an initial step towards isolating an apospory gene.
As mental health challenges continue to rise globally alongside increasing urbanization and treatment barriers, nature-based interventions (NBIs) may provide an accessible, affordable, and low-risk alternative to conventional mental health treatments. This systematic review synthesizes quantitative evidence on the impact of NBIs on mental health outcomes, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Randomized controlled trials with a nature-based intervention group and a non-nature control group, reporting at least one mental health outcome, were included. Of 10,113 identified records, 47 trials met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions involved horticultural therapy, green exercise, or nature walks. Seventeen studies reported significantly greater improvements in mental health, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress in NBI groups compared to controls. NBIs showed no evidence of inferiority to established treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or art therapy. However, studies varied widely in design, intervention type, duration, and outcome measures, and many showed moderate to high risk of bias. While initial evidence supports the effectiveness of NBIs, future research should prioritize long-term studies, higher methodological quality, and detailed subgroup analyses to better understand the specific conditions under which NBIs are most beneficial, as well as test the added benefits of combining NBIs with established treatments.
Histone acetylation is an essential epigenetic modification that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression by opposing the actions of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs). Gas signaling molecules are endogenous gaseous compounds that can freely diffuse across biological membranes. They mediate interplant communications and plant signaling transductions, with representative members including nitric oxide (NO), ethylene (Eth), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and methane (CH4). Multiple studies have revealed that gas signaling molecules and histone acetylation can interact to dynamically regulate plant growth and stress responses. This review examines the current knowledge on the role of gas signaling molecules, as well as their synergistic effects with histone acetylation in plants. Specifically, NO can regulate flowering by S-nitrosylating HDACs and influence fruit ripening by inhibiting HDACs. In addition, both NO and Eth can affect seed germination, seedling growth, and pathogen resistance by regulating acetylation levels. Additionally, H2S can modulate root development in plants by regulating histone deacetylation. However, the interactive relationships among NO, Eth, and H2S, as well as the interplay of other gas signaling molecules and histone acetylation in plants warrant further in-depth research. The existing problems and future research directions are also discussed.
The development of most multicellular organisms begins with oogenesis, the production of the egg. In D. melanogaster, egg size is a highly polygenic trait closely related to fitness. Elements of shifts in egg size have been widely studied and modeled, but the genes underlying this variation are still poorly understood. This study aimed to identify candidate genes associated with processes underlying egg-size variation using D. melanogaster as a model. In selection experiments, we generated large-egg populations from a shared ancestral population using both cold-adaptation and artificial selection and identified candidate genes for the large-egg phenotype. Using whole-genome DNA sequencing and strict computational filtering, we uncovered single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 10 genes. Characterization of these candidates revealed functions in cytoskeletal dynamics, DNA replication and repair, intracellular signaling, and stem cell maintenance and differentiation. RT-PCR and qPCR were used to validate gene expression differences between cold-adapted lines and the Oregon R control (OrR) in a subset of candidates. In RT-PCR, stathmin demonstrated a modified expression pattern in all cold-adapted lines relative to OrR controls. In qPCR experiments, Pde1c had significantly higher expression (p<0.05) in the cold-adapted flies compared to OrR controls for all three fly cages tested. For Ino80, significantly higher expression was observed for one of three cages while one cage showed lower expression. We have assembled a candidate list we hope will be a useful resource for researchers across specialties, from germ cells to cytoskeletal dynamics, to further investigate the genetic and developmental aspects of variation in egg size in D. melanogaster.
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an important vegetable crop. Drought is a major abiotic stress during its growth and severely reduces crop yield and quality. Consequently, research focused on enhancing the drought tolerance of cabbage is essential. MYB is one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, playing a crucial regulatory role in the plant's response to drought stress. However, the research on MYB transcription factors in cabbage remains limited. Previous studies show that MYB96 regulates the plant drought tolerance by responding to ABA signals. In this experiment, we cloned the BoMYB96 gene from cabbage and found that it significantly enhanced the drought stress tolerance of transgenic plants. Overexpression of BoMYB96 reduced oxidative damage under drought stress and increased proline content, while the opposite phenotype was observed in the cabbage silenced lines, BoMYB96-silenced lines exhibited more severe oxidative damage than the control and had a significantly lower survival rate compared with the control. Additionally, we found that the E3 ubiquitin ligase MYB30-INTERACTING E3 LIGASE 1 (BoMIEL1) in cabbage could mediate the ubiquitination and degradation of BoMYB96, and this process was inhibited by ABA. During the drought stress stage, the endogenous ABA content in plants increased, inhibiting the BoMIEL1 mediated ubiquitination of BoMYB96. As a result, the BoMYB96 protein accumulated, improving the plant's drought stress tolerance. These results provide a reference for applying MYB family gene functions in cabbage and offer a theoretical basis for breeding drought-tolerant varieties.