DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism, it regulates gene expression by recruiting proteins involved in gene repression or by inhibiting the binding of transcription factor(s) to DNA. In this study, a novel methyltransferase 2a gene (Zmet2a) was cloned in maize and identified by polymerase chain reaction-base (PCR-base) using a bioinformatics strategy. The Zmet2a cDNA sequence is 2739 bp long and translates to 912 amino acid peptides. The Zmet2a protein revealed that it contains BAH and CHROMO structural domains, is a non-transmembrane protein that is hydrophilically unstable, and has no signal peptide structure. Meanwhile, we verified the biological roles of Zmet2a using transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing Zmet2a and Zmet2aknockout maize. Transgenic Zmet2a Arabidopsis thaliana showed highly significant advancement in flowering time, and Zmet2a-knockout maize showed advancement in flowering time, with significant changes in several traits. Altogether, these report the role of Zmet2a in the regulation of flowering time, which will lay a foundation for revealing the biological function and epigenetic regulation mechanism of Zmet2a in the growth, development and flowering of maize.

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils is a significant challenge for global food production and human health with the increasing industrialization and urbanization. There is a concern about introducing innovative techni... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

INDETERMINATE-DOMAIN proteins (IDDs) are a plant-specific transcription factor family characterized by a conserved ID domain with four zinc finger motifs. Previous studies have demonstrated that IDDs coordinate a diversity of physiological processes and functions in plant growth and development, including floral transition, plant architecture, seed and root development, and hormone signaling. In this review, we especially summarized the latest knowledge on the functions and working models of IDD members in Arabidopsis, rice, and maize, particularly focusing on their role in the regulatory network of biotic and abiotic environmental responses, such as gravity, temperature, water, and pathogens. Understanding these mechanisms underlying the function of IDD proteins in these processes is important for improving crop yields by manipulating their activity. Overall, the review offers valuable insights into the functions and mechanisms of IDD proteins in plants, providing a foundation for further research and potential applications in agriculture.

The Nicotiana genus, commonly known as tobacco, holds significant importance as a crucial economic crop.Confronted with an abundance of herbivorous insects that pose a substantial threat to yield, tobacco has developed a diverse and sophisticated array of mechanisms, establishing itself as a model of plant ecological defense.This review provides a concise overview of the current understanding of tobacco's defense strategies against herbivores.Direct defenses, exemplified by its well-known tactic of secreting the alkaloid nicotine, serve as a potent toxin against a broad spectrum of herbivorous pests.Moreover, in response to herbivore attacks, tobacco enhances the discharge of volatile compounds, harnessing an indirect strategy that attracts the predators of the herbivores.The delicate balance between defense and growth leads to the initiation of most defense strategies only after a herbivore attack.Among plant hormones, notably jasmonic acid (JA), play central roles in coordinating these defense processes.JA signaling interacts with other plant hormone signaling pathways to facilitate the extensive transcriptional and metabolic adjustments in plants following herbivore assault.By shedding light on these ecological defense strategies, this review emphasizes not only tobacco's remarkable adaptability in its natural habitat but also offers insights beneficial for enhancing the resilience of current crops.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) are signal molecules that enhance plant adaptation to environmental stimuli. Auxin is an essential phytohormone for plant growth and development. CO and NO play crucial roles in modulating the plant's response to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency leads to an increase in the activity of heme oxygenase (HO) and the subsequent generation of CO. Additionally, it alters the polar subcellular distribution of Pin-Formed 1 (PIN1) proteins, resulting in enhanced auxin transport. This alteration, in turn, leads to an increase in NO accumulation. Furthermore, iron deficiency enhances the activity of ferric chelate reductase (FCR), as well as the expression of the Fer-like iron deficiency-induced transcription factor 1 (FIT) and the ferric reduction oxidase 2 (FRO2) genes in plant roots. Overexpression of the long hypocotyl 1 (HY1) gene, which encodes heme oxygenase, or the CO donor treatment resulted in enhanced basipetal auxin transport, higher FCR activity, and the expression of FIT and FRO2 genes under Fe deficiency. Here, a potential mechanism is proposed: CO and NO interact with auxin to address iron deficiency stress. CO alters auxin transport, enhancing its accumulation in roots and up-regulating key iron-related genes like FRO2 and IRT1. Elevated auxin levels affect NO signaling, leading to greater sensitivity in root development. This interplay promotes FCR activity, which is crucial for iron absorption. Together, these molecules enhance iron uptake and root growth, revealing a novel aspect of plant physiology in adapting to environmental stress.

Genes in the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) family are essential in regulating plant response to stressful conditions. This study employed bioinformatics to uncover the GSK3 gene family from the sunflower genome database. The expressions of GSK3 genes in different tissues and stress treatments, such as salt, drought, and cold, were assessed using transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The study results revealed that the 12 GSK3 genes of sunflower, belonging to four classes (Classes I–IV), contained the GSK3 kinase domain and 11–13 exons. The majority of GSK3 genes were highly expressed in the leaf axil and flower, while their expression levels were relatively lower in the leaf. As a result of salt stress, six of the GSK3 genes (HaSK11, HaSK22, HaSK23, HaSK32, HaSK33, and HaSK41) displayed a notable increase in expression, while HaSK14 and HaSK21 experienced a significant decrease. With regard to drought stress, five of the GSK3 genes (HaSK11, HaSK13, HaSK21, HaSK22, and HaSK33) experienced a remarkable rise in expression. When exposed to cold stress, seven of the GSK3 genes (HaSK11, HaSK12, HaSK13, HaSK32, HaSK33, HaSK41, and HaSK42) showed a substantial increase, whereas HaSK21 and HaSK23 had a sharp decline. This research is of great importance in understanding the abiotic resistance mechanism of sunflowers and developing new varieties with improved stress resistance.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. Bakanae disease is a significant rice disease widely distributed in rice-growing regions worldwide. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to ... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

Chilling is one of the major abiotic stresses for plants, especially for rice cultivation. Many essential metabolic processes for growth and development are temperature-dependent. In that case, reducing the negative effects o... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

Rice diseases can adversely affect both the yield and quality of rice crops, leading to the increased use of pesticides and environmental pollution. Accurate detection of rice diseases in natural environments is crucial for b... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

Anoplophora glabripennis is one of the most devastating wood-boring beetles that attacks poplars. However, one poplar species, Populus deltoides, has strong resistance to Anoplophora glabripennis infestation, the underlying d... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press