Heading date is one of the most important agronomic traits that directly affect rice yield and determines the regional adaptability in specific growing environments.As a short-day plant,rice can grow under long-day(LD...Heading date is one of the most important agronomic traits that directly affect rice yield and determines the regional adaptability in specific growing environments.As a short-day plant,rice can grow under long-day(LD)conditions due to the synergistic regulation of many photosensitive genes.Using a set of chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs)with the indica cultivar Huanghuazhan(HHZ)as the recipient parent and Basmati Surkh 89-15(BAS)as the donor parent,we identified a QTL locus.展开更多
Several quantitative trait genes(QTGs)related to rice heading date,a key factor for crop development and yield,have been identified,along with complex interactions among genes.However,a comprehensive genetic interacti...Several quantitative trait genes(QTGs)related to rice heading date,a key factor for crop development and yield,have been identified,along with complex interactions among genes.However,a comprehensive genetic interaction network for these QTGs has not yet been established.In this study,we use 18K-rice lines to identify QTGs and their epistatic interactions affecting rice heading date.We identify 264 pairs of interacting quantitative trait loci(QTL)and construct a comprehensive genetic network of these QTL.On average,the epistatic effects of QTL pairs are estimated to be approximately 12.5%of additive effects of identified QTL.Importantly,epistasis varies among different alleles of several heading date genes.Additionally,57 pairs of interacting QTGs are also significant in their epistatic effects on 12 other agronomic traits.The identified QTL genetic interactions are further validated using near-isogenic lines,yeast two-hybrid,and split-luciferase complementation assays.Overall,this study provides a genetic network of rice heading date genes,which plays a crucial role in regulating rice heading date and influencing multiple related agronomic traits.This network serves as a foundation for understanding the genetic mechanisms of rice quantitative traits and for advancing rice molecular breeding.展开更多
Plants under pathogen attack produce high levels of the gaseous phytohormone ethylene to induce plant defense responses via the ethylene signaling pathway.The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase(ACS)is a critic...Plants under pathogen attack produce high levels of the gaseous phytohormone ethylene to induce plant defense responses via the ethylene signaling pathway.The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase(ACS)is a critical rate-limiting enzyme of ethylene biosynthesis.Transcriptional and post-translational upregulation of ACS2 and ACS6 by the mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 are previously shown to be crucial for pathogen-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.Here,we report that the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis is under the negative feedback regulation by ethylene signaling pathway.The ethylene response factor ERF1 A is further found to act downstream of ethylene signaling to negatively regulate the B.cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis via indirectly suppressing the expression of ACS2 and ACS6.Interestingly,ERF1 A is shown to also upregulate defensin genes directly and therefore promote Arabidopsis resistance to B.cinerea.Furthermore,ERF1 A is identified to be a substrate of MPK3 and MPK6,which phosphoactivate ERF1 A to enhance its functions in suppressing ethylene biosynthesis and inducing defensin gene expression.Taken together,our data reveal that ERF1 A and its phosphorylation by MPK3/MPK6 not only mediate the negativefeedback regulation of the B.cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis,but also upregulate defensin gene expression to increase Arabidopsis resistance to B.cinerea.展开更多
Heterosis,which describes the superior vigor and yield of F_1 hybrids with respect to their parents,is observed in many rice hybrid crosses.The exploitation of heterosis is a great leap in the history of rice breeding...Heterosis,which describes the superior vigor and yield of F_1 hybrids with respect to their parents,is observed in many rice hybrid crosses.The exploitation of heterosis is a great leap in the history of rice breeding.With advances in genomics and genetics,high-resolution mapping and functional identification of heterosis-associated loci have been performed in rice.Here we summarize advances in understanding the genetic basis of grain yield heterosis in hybrid rice and provide a vision for the genetic study and breeding application of rice heterosis in the future.展开更多
The Asiatic hybrid lily(Lilium spp.)is a horticultural crop with high commercial value and diverse anthocyanin pigmentation patterns.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying lily flower color has been largely unexp...The Asiatic hybrid lily(Lilium spp.)is a horticultural crop with high commercial value and diverse anthocyanin pigmentation patterns.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying lily flower color has been largely unexplored.Here,we identified a WRKY transcription factor from lily tepals,LhWRKY44,whose expression was closely associated with anthocyanin accumulation.Functional verification indicated that LhWRKY44 positively regulated anthocyanin accumulation.LhWRKY44 physically interacted with LhMYBSPLATTER and directly bound to the LhMYBSPLATTER promoter,which enhanced the effect of the LhMYBSPLATTER-LhbHLH2 MBW complex activator on anthocyanin accumulation.Moreover,EMSA and dual-luciferase assays revealed that LhWRKY44 activated and bound to the promoters of gene LhF3H and the intracellular anthocyanin-related glutathione S-transferase gene LhGST.Interestingly,our further results showed that LhWRKY44 participated in light and drought-induced anthocyanin accumulation,and improved the drought tolerance in lily via activating stress-related genes.These results generated a multifaceted regulatory mechanism for the LhWRKY44-meditaed enhancement by the environmental signal pathway of anthocyanin accumulation and expanded our understanding of the WRKY-mediated transcriptional regulatory hierarchy modulating anthocyanin accumulation in Asiatic hybrid lilies.展开更多
We have developed a dual base editor,rA&GBE,by fusing adenine and glycosylase base editors.It can induce up to eight types of mutations in T0-generation rice,including single-base conversion,simultaneous multiple-...We have developed a dual base editor,rA&GBE,by fusing adenine and glycosylase base editors.It can induce up to eight types of mutations in T0-generation rice,including single-base conversion,simultaneous multiple-base conversions,and InDels,using a single guide RNA.A-to-G and C-to-G/T conversions occur simultaneously on the same DNA strand.The rA&GBE system may prove useful for crop improvement and in planta direct evolution.展开更多
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi,a member of the Lamiaceae family,is a widely utilized medicinal plant.The flavones extracted from S.baicalensis contribute to numerous health benefits,including anti-inflammatory,antivir...Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi,a member of the Lamiaceae family,is a widely utilized medicinal plant.The flavones extracted from S.baicalensis contribute to numerous health benefits,including anti-inflammatory,antiviral,and anti-tumor activities.However,the incomplete genome assembly hinders biological studies on S.baicalensis.This study presents the first telomere-to-telomere(T2T)gap-free genome assembly of S.baicalensis through the integration of Pacbio HiFi,Nanopore ultra-long and Hi-C technologies.A total of 384.59 Mb of genome size with a contig N50 of 42.44 Mb was obtained,and all sequences were anchored into nine pseudochromosomes without any gap or mismatch.In addition,we analysed the major cyanidin-and delphinidin-based anthocyanins involved in the determination of blue-purple flower using a widely-targeted metabolome approach.Based on the genome-wide identification of Cytochrome P450(CYP450)gene family,three genes(SbFBH1,2,and 5)encoding flavonoid 3′-hydroxylases(F3′Hs)and one gene(SbFBH7)encoding flavonoid 3′5′-hydroxylase(F3′5′H)were found to hydroxylate the B-ring of flavonoids.Our studies enrich the genomic information available for the Lamiaceae family and provide a toolkit for discovering CYP450 genes involved in the flavonoid decoration.展开更多
Successful pollen formation is essential for plant reproduction.During anther development,microspore mother cells undergo meiosis to form tetrads.After being released from the tetrad,microspores develop into mature po...Successful pollen formation is essential for plant reproduction.During anther development,microspore mother cells undergo meiosis to form tetrads.After being released from the tetrad,microspores develop into mature pollen.The tapetum is the innermost layer of anther somatic cells and forms a locule to provide nutrition,enzymes and pollen wall materials for microspore development.Based on the male sterile phenotype,many genes important for tapetum and pollen development have been cloned.In this review,we highlight the genetic pathway of DYT1-TDF1-AMS-MS188-MS1 which acts in tapetal development in Arabidopsis.We also compared this genetic pathway in different species such as Arabidopsis,rice and maize.Based on this pathway,we review recent findings and insights into the contribution of the tapetum to pollen formation at the molecular level.1)Tapetum provides nutrition for microspore development.2)Tapetum provides enzymes to dissolve pectin and callose to release microspores from tetrads.3)Tapetum synthesizes precursors for pollen wall formation via different molecular pathways.4)Tapetum provides precursors for pollen coat formation.5)Tapetum provides small RNAs to regulate genic methylation in the germline cells.展开更多
Dear Editor,Although effective vaccines and antiviral therapies are available,hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is still a serious global health threat.Persistent HBV infection remains the principal cause of liver cirrh...Dear Editor,Although effective vaccines and antiviral therapies are available,hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is still a serious global health threat.Persistent HBV infection remains the principal cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).HBV is a small DNA virus,owning a~3.2 kb genome that encodes several proteins:viral DNA polymerase,core antigen(HBcAg),E antigen(HBeAg),three surface antigens(PreS1/PreS2/HBsAg),and a regulatory X protein(HBx)(Lamontagne et al.,2016).X protein,named for its lack of homology with any known proteins,is a 154 aa protein that plays an essential role in HBV biology and regulates the development of HCC(Yang et al.,2022).Although previous studies have strongly expanded our understanding of HBx,the regulation of HBx is not completely elucidated.展开更多
Photoperiod-and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(P/TGMS)lines display male sterility under high-temperature/long-day light conditions and male fertility under low-temperature/short-day light conditions.P/TGMS lines...Photoperiod-and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(P/TGMS)lines display male sterility under high-temperature/long-day light conditions and male fertility under low-temperature/short-day light conditions.P/TGMS lines are the fundamental basis for the two-line hybrid breeding,which has notably increased the yield potential and grain quality of rice cultivars.In this review,we focus on the research progress on photoperiod-and thermo-sensitive genic male sterility in plants.The essence of P/TGMS line is their ability to produce viable pollen under varying conditions.We overview the processes involved in anther and pollen development,as well as the molecular,cellular,and genetic mechanisms underlying P/TGMS in Arabidopsis,rice,and other crops.Slow development has been identified as a common mechanism of P/TGMS fertility restoration in both Arabidopsis and rice,while reactive oxygen species homeostasis has been implicated in rice P/TGMS.Furthermore,we discuss the prospective applications of P/TGMS and potential solutions to the challenges in this field.This review deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying P/TGMS and its utilization in two-line hybrid breeding across diverse crops.展开更多
Northern wild rice(NWR;Zizania palustris L.),an annual aquatic plant in the Poaceae family,has high economic importance due to its nutrient-rich grains.However,the existing NWR genome assembly for this species has sev...Northern wild rice(NWR;Zizania palustris L.),an annual aquatic plant in the Poaceae family,has high economic importance due to its nutrient-rich grains.However,the existing NWR genome assembly for this species has severe fragmentation and incomplete gene representation.A near-complete genome was assembled in this study to provide a high-quality genomic reference for NWR-associated research.The assembled genome exhibited a total contig length of 1.41 Gb and a contig N50 of 109.22 Mb.Overall,a 73.60%repetitive sequence content was identified and 47,804 genes predicted.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Z.palustris was most closely related to Zizania latifolia,with an estimated divergence time of 4.57–8.15 Mya.Meanwhile,Z.palustris underwent a recent,species-specific long terminal repeat(LTR)expansion,associated with its larger genome size.We identified two genomic blocks in the Z.palustris and Z.latifolia genomes that exhibit strong synteny with the rice phytocassane biosynthetic gene cluster.The centromeric satellite repeats in Z.palustris identified in this study primarily comprised a 145 bp repetitive unit.The findings also revealed centromere homogenisation and rearrangement accompanied by LTR invasion in NWR.Among the genes missing in the previous NWR genome,we observed LTR insertion events that resulted in expanded gene lengths in our updated NWR genome.The present updated NWR genome provides a valuable resource for crop genetic improvement,functional gene discovery,and research on critical biological processes.展开更多
Since approximate a century ago, many hybrid crops have been continually developed by crossing two inbred varieties. Owing to heterosis(hybrid vigor) in plants, these hybrids often have superior agricultural performan...Since approximate a century ago, many hybrid crops have been continually developed by crossing two inbred varieties. Owing to heterosis(hybrid vigor) in plants, these hybrids often have superior agricultural performances in yield or disease resistance succeeding their inbred parental lines. Several classical hypotheses have been proposed to explain the genetic causes of heterosis. During recent years, many new genetics and genomics strategies have been developed and used for the identifications of heterotic genes in plants. Heterotic effects of the heterotic loci and molecular functions of the heterotic genes are being investigated in many plants such as rice, maize, sorghum, Arabidopsis and tomato.More and more data and knowledge coming from the molecular studies of heterotic loci and genes will serve as a valuable resource for hybrid breeding by molecular design in future. This review aims to address recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of heterosis in plants. The remaining scientific questions on the molecular basis of heterosis and the potential applications in breeding are also proposed and discussed.展开更多
Rose(Rosa hybrida)is one of most famous ornamental plants in the world,and its commodity value largely depends on its flower color.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying rose flower color is still unclear.In this...Rose(Rosa hybrida)is one of most famous ornamental plants in the world,and its commodity value largely depends on its flower color.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying rose flower color is still unclear.In this study,we found that a key R2R3-MYB transcription factor,RcMYB1,plays a central role in rose anthocyanin biosynthesis.Overexpression of RcMYB1 significantly promoted anthocyanin accumulation in both white rose petals and tobacco leaves.In 35S:RcMYB1 transgenic lines,a significant accumulation of anthocyanins occurred in leaves and petioles.We further identified two MBW complexes(RcMYB1-RcBHLH42-RcTTG1;RcMYB1-RcEGL1-RcTTG1)associated with anthocyanin accumulation.Yeast one-hybrid and luciferase assays showed that RcMYB1 could active its own gene promoter and those of other EBGs(early anthocyanin biosynthesis genes)and LBGs(late anthocyanin biosynthesis genes).In addition,both of the MBW complexes enhanced the transcriptional activity of RcMYB1 and LBGs.Interestingly,our results also indicate that RcMYB1 is involved in the metabolic regulation of carotenoids and volatile aroma.In summary,we found that RcMYB1 widely participates in the transcriptional regulation of ABGs(anthocyanin biosynthesis genes),indicative of its central role in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in rose.Our results provide a theoretical basis for the further improvement of the flower color trait in rose by breeding or genetic modification.展开更多
Seeds are a major source of nutrients for humans and animal livestock worldwide.With improved living standards,high nutritional quality has become one of the main targets for breeding.Storage protein content in seeds,...Seeds are a major source of nutrients for humans and animal livestock worldwide.With improved living standards,high nutritional quality has become one of the main targets for breeding.Storage protein content in seeds,which is highly variable depending on plant species,serves as a pivotal criterion of seed nutritional quality.In the last few decades,our understanding of the molecular genetics and regulatory mechanisms of storage protein synthesis has greatly advanced.Here,we systematically and comprehensively summarize breakthroughs on the conservation and divergence of storage protein synthesis in dicot and monocot plants.With regard to storage protein accumulation,we discuss evolutionary origins,developmental processes,characteristics of main storage protein fractions,regulatory networks,and genetic modifications.In addition,we discuss potential breeding strategies to improve storage protein accumulation and provide perspectives on some key unanswered problems that need to be addressed.展开更多
Light is an essential environmental signal perceived by a broad range of photoreceptors in plants. Among them, the red/far-red light receptor phytochromes function to promote photomorphogenesis, which is critical to t...Light is an essential environmental signal perceived by a broad range of photoreceptors in plants. Among them, the red/far-red light receptor phytochromes function to promote photomorphogenesis, which is critical to the survival of seedlings after seeds germination. The basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) are the pivotal direct downstream components of phytochromes. H2A.Z is a highly conserved histone variant regulating gene transcription, and its incorporation into nucleosomes is catalyzed by SWI2/SNF2-related 1 complex, in which SWI2/SNF2-related 1 complex subunit 6 (SWC6) and actin-related protein 6 (ARP6) serve as core subunits. Here, we show that PIFs physically interact with SWC6 in vitro and in vivo, leading to the disassociation of HY5 from SWC6. SWC6 and ARP6 regulate hypocotyl elongation partly through PIFs in red light. PIFs and SWC6 coregulate the expression of auxin-responsive genes such as IAA6, IAA19, IAA20, and IAA29 and repress H2A.Z deposition at IAA6 and IAA19 in red light. Based on previous studies and our findings, we propose that PIFs inhibit photomorphogenesis, at least in part, through repression of H2A.Z deposition at auxin-responsive genes mediated by the interactions of PIFs with SWC6 and promotion of their expression in red light.展开更多
The outer wall of pollen and spores,namely the exine,is composed of sporopollenin,which is highly resistant to chemical reagents and enzymes.In this study,we demonstrated that phenylpropanoid pathway derivatives are e...The outer wall of pollen and spores,namely the exine,is composed of sporopollenin,which is highly resistant to chemical reagents and enzymes.In this study,we demonstrated that phenylpropanoid pathway derivatives are essential components of sporopollenin in seed plants.Spectral analyses showed that the autofluorescence of Lilium and Arabidopsis sporopollenin is similar to that of lignin.Thioacidolysis and NMR analyses of pollen from Lilium and Cryptomeria further revealed that the sporopollenin of seed plants contains phenylpropanoid derivatives,including p-hydroxybenzoate(p-BA),p-coumarate(p-CA),ferulate(FA),and lignin guaiacyl(G)units.The phenylpropanoid pathway is expressed in the tapetum in Arabidopsis,consistent with the fact that the sporopollenin precursor originates from the tapetum.Further germination and comet assays showed that this pathway plays an important role in protection of pollen against UV radiation.In the pteridophyte plant species Ophioglossum vulgatum and Lycopodium clavata,phenylpropanoid derivatives including p-BA and p-CA were also detected,but G units were not.Taken together,our results indicate that phenylpropanoid derivatives are essential for sporopollenin synthesis in vascular plants.In addition,sporopollenin autofluorescence spectra of bryophytes,such as Physcomitrella and Haplocladium,exhibit distinct characteristics compared with those of vascular plants,indicating the diversity of sporopollenin among land plants.展开更多
Plant roots meticulously select and attract particular microbial taxa from the surrounding bulk soil,thereby establishing a specialized and functionally diverse microbial community within the rhizosphere.Rhizosphere m...Plant roots meticulously select and attract particular microbial taxa from the surrounding bulk soil,thereby establishing a specialized and functionally diverse microbial community within the rhizosphere.Rhizosphere metabolites,including root exudates and microbial metabolites,function as both signals and nutrients that govern the assembly of the rhizosphere microbiome,playing crucial roles in mediating communications between plants and microbes.The environment and their feedback loops further influence these intricate interactions.However,whether and how specific metabolites shape plant-microbe interactions and facilitate diverse functions remains obscure.This review summarizes the current progress in plant-microbe communications mediated by chemical compounds and their functions in plant fitness and ecosystem functioning.Additionally,we raise some prospects on future directions for manipulating metabolite-mediated plantmicrobe interactions to enhance crop productivity and health.Unveiling the biological roles of specific metabolites produced by plants and microbes will bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications.展开更多
Gibberellin(GA)is a phytohormone that regulates key developmental processes in plants,including seed germination and photomorphogenesis.It is well established that GA signaling involves GA-triggered,26S proteasome-dep...Gibberellin(GA)is a phytohormone that regulates key developmental processes in plants,including seed germination and photomorphogenesis.It is well established that GA signaling involves GA-triggered,26S proteasome-dependent degradation of DELLA proteins.Whether DELLA proteins also undergo autophagic degradation to mediate GA signaling remains unclear.In this study,we investigated the responsiveness of Arabidopsis seedlings to GA and the dynamics of DELLA proteins under nutrient starvation in darkness.We found that GA-induced seed germination and skotomorphogenesis are impaired in autophagy mutants and that GA promotes the autophagic degradation of DELLA proteins.Biochemical and protein localization an-alyses revealed that GA promotes the nuclear export of DELLA proteins and ATG8,their co-localization in autophagosomes,and autophagosome formation.Further biochemical studies demonstrated that GA en-hances the interaction between ATG8 and GID1,thereby promoting the association of ATG8 with DELLA proteins and their autophagic degradation.Through this mechanism,GA promotes seed germination and skotomorphogenesis under nutrient starvation in darkness,enabling seedlings to penetrate the soil rapidly,capture sunlight,and shift to autotrophic growth to overcome nutrient deffciency.展开更多
To dissect the signaling networks that orchestrate immune gene expression,we developed a sensitive genetic screen using an ethyl methanesulfonate(EMS)-mutagenized population of Arabidopsis transgenic plants.These plan...To dissect the signaling networks that orchestrate immune gene expression,we developed a sensitive genetic screen using an ethyl methanesulfonate(EMS)-mutagenized population of Arabidopsis transgenic plants.These plants carry an early immune responsive gene FRK1(flg22-induced receptor-like kinase 1)promoter fused with a luciferase(LUC)reporter.A series of mutants with altered pFRK1::LUC activity were identified and named as Arabidopsis genes governing immune gene expression(aggie).The aggie5 mutant showed reduced pFRK1::LUC induction in response to multiple MAMPs treatments.Moreover,the activation of the endogenous FRK1 gene by MAMPs was also compromised in aggie5.Significantly,the bacterial flagellin epitope flg22-induced MAPK activation,ROS production,and immunerelated gene expression were reduced in aggie5.Map-based cloning coupled with next-generation sequencing revealed that aggie5 encodes a kinase-inactive BAK1,which is involved in brassinosteroid responses,innate immunity,and cell death control.Consistently,the aggie5/bak1-16 mutant displayed compromised responses to BR treatment.Furthermore,the aggie5/bak1-16 mutant exhibited seedling lethality when combined with the mutation of its closest homolog BKK1/SERK4.The data suggest that BAK1 kinase activity is required for its multiple functions in plant immunity,development,and cell death control.The isolation and characterization of these Aggie genes will contribute to a better understanding of host immune signaling and provide genetic resources to improve crop resistance.展开更多
Seed weight is a pivotal yield-determining trait in crops,and yet,the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation in polyploid species remain underexplored.In a previous study,we identified cqSW.A03-2,a...Seed weight is a pivotal yield-determining trait in crops,and yet,the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation in polyploid species remain underexplored.In a previous study,we identified cqSW.A03-2,a QTL that regulates thousand seed weight(TSW)in rapeseed(Brassica napus).Here,we identify BnaA3.AHK2,encoding a histidine kinase,as the causal gene of cqSW.A03-2.BnaA3.AHK2 enhances TSW through maternal control of seed coat cell expansion without significantly compromising other yield-related traits.Protein sequence divergence between parental haplotypes caused functional differentiation,with only the ZY50 allele showing functional kinase activity and rescuing developmental defects in Arabidopsis cytokinin receptor mutants.Strikingly,BnaA3.AHK2 seems to be a cytokinin-independent operator,contrasting with the canonical cytokinin signaling pathway.Transcriptome and protein interaction analyses reveal a signaling module where BnaA3.AHK2 engages BnaAHP-Bna ARR phosphorelay components to regulate downstream targets.Notably,the favorable cqSW.A03-2 haplotype has been historically selected in modern breeding,and its introgression into elite hybrids boosted TSW by 3.6%-9.1%,demonstrating its breeding value.Our findings unveil a non-canonical signaling pathway for seed size regulation,providing a strategic genetic target to break yield trade-offs in polyploid crops.展开更多
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.LZ24C130004 and LQ24C130008)。
文摘Heading date is one of the most important agronomic traits that directly affect rice yield and determines the regional adaptability in specific growing environments.As a short-day plant,rice can grow under long-day(LD)conditions due to the synergistic regulation of many photosensitive genes.Using a set of chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs)with the indica cultivar Huanghuazhan(HHZ)as the recipient parent and Basmati Surkh 89-15(BAS)as the donor parent,we identified a QTL locus.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32222064 and 32341030)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(22ZR1445800)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LQ24C130008).
文摘Several quantitative trait genes(QTGs)related to rice heading date,a key factor for crop development and yield,have been identified,along with complex interactions among genes.However,a comprehensive genetic interaction network for these QTGs has not yet been established.In this study,we use 18K-rice lines to identify QTGs and their epistatic interactions affecting rice heading date.We identify 264 pairs of interacting quantitative trait loci(QTL)and construct a comprehensive genetic network of these QTL.On average,the epistatic effects of QTL pairs are estimated to be approximately 12.5%of additive effects of identified QTL.Importantly,epistasis varies among different alleles of several heading date genes.Additionally,57 pairs of interacting QTGs are also significant in their epistatic effects on 12 other agronomic traits.The identified QTL genetic interactions are further validated using near-isogenic lines,yeast two-hybrid,and split-luciferase complementation assays.Overall,this study provides a genetic network of rice heading date genes,which plays a crucial role in regulating rice heading date and influencing multiple related agronomic traits.This network serves as a foundation for understanding the genetic mechanisms of rice quantitative traits and for advancing rice molecular breeding.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 31970282 and 32170286 to X.M.)
文摘Plants under pathogen attack produce high levels of the gaseous phytohormone ethylene to induce plant defense responses via the ethylene signaling pathway.The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase(ACS)is a critical rate-limiting enzyme of ethylene biosynthesis.Transcriptional and post-translational upregulation of ACS2 and ACS6 by the mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 are previously shown to be crucial for pathogen-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.Here,we report that the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis is under the negative feedback regulation by ethylene signaling pathway.The ethylene response factor ERF1 A is further found to act downstream of ethylene signaling to negatively regulate the B.cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis via indirectly suppressing the expression of ACS2 and ACS6.Interestingly,ERF1 A is shown to also upregulate defensin genes directly and therefore promote Arabidopsis resistance to B.cinerea.Furthermore,ERF1 A is identified to be a substrate of MPK3 and MPK6,which phosphoactivate ERF1 A to enhance its functions in suppressing ethylene biosynthesis and inducing defensin gene expression.Taken together,our data reveal that ERF1 A and its phosphorylation by MPK3/MPK6 not only mediate the negativefeedback regulation of the B.cinerea-induced ethylene biosynthesis,but also upregulate defensin gene expression to increase Arabidopsis resistance to B.cinerea.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0100902)。
文摘Heterosis,which describes the superior vigor and yield of F_1 hybrids with respect to their parents,is observed in many rice hybrid crosses.The exploitation of heterosis is a great leap in the history of rice breeding.With advances in genomics and genetics,high-resolution mapping and functional identification of heterosis-associated loci have been performed in rice.Here we summarize advances in understanding the genetic basis of grain yield heterosis in hybrid rice and provide a vision for the genetic study and breeding application of rice heterosis in the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172624,32172612,31672196)the Programs for National Key R&D Plan(2019YFD1001002).
文摘The Asiatic hybrid lily(Lilium spp.)is a horticultural crop with high commercial value and diverse anthocyanin pigmentation patterns.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying lily flower color has been largely unexplored.Here,we identified a WRKY transcription factor from lily tepals,LhWRKY44,whose expression was closely associated with anthocyanin accumulation.Functional verification indicated that LhWRKY44 positively regulated anthocyanin accumulation.LhWRKY44 physically interacted with LhMYBSPLATTER and directly bound to the LhMYBSPLATTER promoter,which enhanced the effect of the LhMYBSPLATTER-LhbHLH2 MBW complex activator on anthocyanin accumulation.Moreover,EMSA and dual-luciferase assays revealed that LhWRKY44 activated and bound to the promoters of gene LhF3H and the intracellular anthocyanin-related glutathione S-transferase gene LhGST.Interestingly,our further results showed that LhWRKY44 participated in light and drought-induced anthocyanin accumulation,and improved the drought tolerance in lily via activating stress-related genes.These results generated a multifaceted regulatory mechanism for the LhWRKY44-meditaed enhancement by the environmental signal pathway of anthocyanin accumulation and expanded our understanding of the WRKY-mediated transcriptional regulatory hierarchy modulating anthocyanin accumulation in Asiatic hybrid lilies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32170547)to Hui Zhangthe Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar)at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning (TP2018066)to Hui Zhangthe Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (21ZR1447100)to Wenjuan Wu.
文摘We have developed a dual base editor,rA&GBE,by fusing adenine and glycosylase base editors.It can induce up to eight types of mutations in T0-generation rice,including single-base conversion,simultaneous multiple-base conversions,and InDels,using a single guide RNA.A-to-G and C-to-G/T conversions occur simultaneously on the same DNA strand.The rA&GBE system may prove useful for crop improvement and in planta direct evolution.
基金This work is sponsored by Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(22ZR1479500)Special Fund for Scientific Research of Shanghai Landscaping&City Appearance Administrative Bureau(G212401)+2 种基金Ministry of Science and Technology of China(YDZX20223100001003)Funding for Shanghai science and technology promoting agriculture from Shanghai Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission(Hu Nong Ke Chan Zi(2023)No.8)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Q.Z.is also supported by the Shanghai Youth Talent Support Program and SANOFI-SIBS scholarship.We greatly appreciate the experimental facilities and services provided by the office of Chenshan Plant Science Research Center.We also thank Yanbo Huang from Shanghai National Forest Germplasm Resource Center of Lamiaceae Plant for the photograph of S.baicalensis in Fig.1.
文摘Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi,a member of the Lamiaceae family,is a widely utilized medicinal plant.The flavones extracted from S.baicalensis contribute to numerous health benefits,including anti-inflammatory,antiviral,and anti-tumor activities.However,the incomplete genome assembly hinders biological studies on S.baicalensis.This study presents the first telomere-to-telomere(T2T)gap-free genome assembly of S.baicalensis through the integration of Pacbio HiFi,Nanopore ultra-long and Hi-C technologies.A total of 384.59 Mb of genome size with a contig N50 of 42.44 Mb was obtained,and all sequences were anchored into nine pseudochromosomes without any gap or mismatch.In addition,we analysed the major cyanidin-and delphinidin-based anthocyanins involved in the determination of blue-purple flower using a widely-targeted metabolome approach.Based on the genome-wide identification of Cytochrome P450(CYP450)gene family,three genes(SbFBH1,2,and 5)encoding flavonoid 3′-hydroxylases(F3′Hs)and one gene(SbFBH7)encoding flavonoid 3′5′-hydroxylase(F3′5′H)were found to hydroxylate the B-ring of flavonoids.Our studies enrich the genomic information available for the Lamiaceae family and provide a toolkit for discovering CYP450 genes involved in the flavonoid decoration.
基金supported by grants from National Science Foundation of China(31970520,31870296).
文摘Successful pollen formation is essential for plant reproduction.During anther development,microspore mother cells undergo meiosis to form tetrads.After being released from the tetrad,microspores develop into mature pollen.The tapetum is the innermost layer of anther somatic cells and forms a locule to provide nutrition,enzymes and pollen wall materials for microspore development.Based on the male sterile phenotype,many genes important for tapetum and pollen development have been cloned.In this review,we highlight the genetic pathway of DYT1-TDF1-AMS-MS188-MS1 which acts in tapetal development in Arabidopsis.We also compared this genetic pathway in different species such as Arabidopsis,rice and maize.Based on this pathway,we review recent findings and insights into the contribution of the tapetum to pollen formation at the molecular level.1)Tapetum provides nutrition for microspore development.2)Tapetum provides enzymes to dissolve pectin and callose to release microspores from tetrads.3)Tapetum synthesizes precursors for pollen wall formation via different molecular pathways.4)Tapetum provides precursors for pollen coat formation.5)Tapetum provides small RNAs to regulate genic methylation in the germline cells.
基金funded by the National Science and Technology Innovation 2030 Major Project of China(No.2021ZD0203900)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2019YFA0802103)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.92253302)the Department of Science and Technology of Zhejiang Province(No.2021C03104)the Guangzhou Science Innovation and Development Program(No.201803010092)athe Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science(No.NYKFKT2019006).
文摘Dear Editor,Although effective vaccines and antiviral therapies are available,hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is still a serious global health threat.Persistent HBV infection remains the principal cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).HBV is a small DNA virus,owning a~3.2 kb genome that encodes several proteins:viral DNA polymerase,core antigen(HBcAg),E antigen(HBeAg),three surface antigens(PreS1/PreS2/HBsAg),and a regulatory X protein(HBx)(Lamontagne et al.,2016).X protein,named for its lack of homology with any known proteins,is a 154 aa protein that plays an essential role in HBV biology and regulates the development of HCC(Yang et al.,2022).Although previous studies have strongly expanded our understanding of HBx,the regulation of HBx is not completely elucidated.
基金supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFF1003504)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31930009 and 32100276)the Shanghai Pujiang Program(21PJ1411500).
文摘Photoperiod-and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile(P/TGMS)lines display male sterility under high-temperature/long-day light conditions and male fertility under low-temperature/short-day light conditions.P/TGMS lines are the fundamental basis for the two-line hybrid breeding,which has notably increased the yield potential and grain quality of rice cultivars.In this review,we focus on the research progress on photoperiod-and thermo-sensitive genic male sterility in plants.The essence of P/TGMS line is their ability to produce viable pollen under varying conditions.We overview the processes involved in anther and pollen development,as well as the molecular,cellular,and genetic mechanisms underlying P/TGMS in Arabidopsis,rice,and other crops.Slow development has been identified as a common mechanism of P/TGMS fertility restoration in both Arabidopsis and rice,while reactive oxygen species homeostasis has been implicated in rice P/TGMS.Furthermore,we discuss the prospective applications of P/TGMS and potential solutions to the challenges in this field.This review deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying P/TGMS and its utilization in two-line hybrid breeding across diverse crops.
基金supported by the Youth Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Y2023QC34)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong province(ZR2023MC034)+2 种基金the Technological Innovation Project of ECS-CAAS(ECS-KY-N-2024008)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program(ASTIP-TRIC05-2025)the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(1610232024005,1610232023003).
文摘Northern wild rice(NWR;Zizania palustris L.),an annual aquatic plant in the Poaceae family,has high economic importance due to its nutrient-rich grains.However,the existing NWR genome assembly for this species has severe fragmentation and incomplete gene representation.A near-complete genome was assembled in this study to provide a high-quality genomic reference for NWR-associated research.The assembled genome exhibited a total contig length of 1.41 Gb and a contig N50 of 109.22 Mb.Overall,a 73.60%repetitive sequence content was identified and 47,804 genes predicted.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Z.palustris was most closely related to Zizania latifolia,with an estimated divergence time of 4.57–8.15 Mya.Meanwhile,Z.palustris underwent a recent,species-specific long terminal repeat(LTR)expansion,associated with its larger genome size.We identified two genomic blocks in the Z.palustris and Z.latifolia genomes that exhibit strong synteny with the rice phytocassane biosynthetic gene cluster.The centromeric satellite repeats in Z.palustris identified in this study primarily comprised a 145 bp repetitive unit.The findings also revealed centromere homogenisation and rearrangement accompanied by LTR invasion in NWR.Among the genes missing in the previous NWR genome,we observed LTR insertion events that resulted in expanded gene lengths in our updated NWR genome.The present updated NWR genome provides a valuable resource for crop genetic improvement,functional gene discovery,and research on critical biological processes.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0100902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31825015)+3 种基金Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(2017-01-07-00-02-E00039)Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader(18XD1402900)Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Plant Germplasm Resources(17DZ2252700)Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(18DZ2260500)for supporting our research。
文摘Since approximate a century ago, many hybrid crops have been continually developed by crossing two inbred varieties. Owing to heterosis(hybrid vigor) in plants, these hybrids often have superior agricultural performances in yield or disease resistance succeeding their inbred parental lines. Several classical hypotheses have been proposed to explain the genetic causes of heterosis. During recent years, many new genetics and genomics strategies have been developed and used for the identifications of heterotic genes in plants. Heterotic effects of the heterotic loci and molecular functions of the heterotic genes are being investigated in many plants such as rice, maize, sorghum, Arabidopsis and tomato.More and more data and knowledge coming from the molecular studies of heterotic loci and genes will serve as a valuable resource for hybrid breeding by molecular design in future. This review aims to address recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of heterosis in plants. The remaining scientific questions on the molecular basis of heterosis and the potential applications in breeding are also proposed and discussed.
基金This work was supported by Shanghai Special Project of Capacity Construction for Local Colleges and Universities,No.20070502500Shanghai Science and Technology Agriculture Program,No.2022-02-08-00-12-F01146+1 种基金Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality,No.18DZ2260500Shanghai Plant Germplasm Resources Engineering Research Center,17DZ2252700.
文摘Rose(Rosa hybrida)is one of most famous ornamental plants in the world,and its commodity value largely depends on its flower color.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying rose flower color is still unclear.In this study,we found that a key R2R3-MYB transcription factor,RcMYB1,plays a central role in rose anthocyanin biosynthesis.Overexpression of RcMYB1 significantly promoted anthocyanin accumulation in both white rose petals and tobacco leaves.In 35S:RcMYB1 transgenic lines,a significant accumulation of anthocyanins occurred in leaves and petioles.We further identified two MBW complexes(RcMYB1-RcBHLH42-RcTTG1;RcMYB1-RcEGL1-RcTTG1)associated with anthocyanin accumulation.Yeast one-hybrid and luciferase assays showed that RcMYB1 could active its own gene promoter and those of other EBGs(early anthocyanin biosynthesis genes)and LBGs(late anthocyanin biosynthesis genes).In addition,both of the MBW complexes enhanced the transcriptional activity of RcMYB1 and LBGs.Interestingly,our results also indicate that RcMYB1 is involved in the metabolic regulation of carotenoids and volatile aroma.In summary,we found that RcMYB1 widely participates in the transcriptional regulation of ABGs(anthocyanin biosynthesis genes),indicative of its central role in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in rose.Our results provide a theoretical basis for the further improvement of the flower color trait in rose by breeding or genetic modification.
基金Chinese Academy of Sci-ences(XDB27010201 to Y.W.)National Natural Science Foundation of China(31830063 and 31925030 to Y.W.,32072008 to W.W.)Talent Initiation Program from Sichuan Agricultural University to T.Y.
文摘Seeds are a major source of nutrients for humans and animal livestock worldwide.With improved living standards,high nutritional quality has become one of the main targets for breeding.Storage protein content in seeds,which is highly variable depending on plant species,serves as a pivotal criterion of seed nutritional quality.In the last few decades,our understanding of the molecular genetics and regulatory mechanisms of storage protein synthesis has greatly advanced.Here,we systematically and comprehensively summarize breakthroughs on the conservation and divergence of storage protein synthesis in dicot and monocot plants.With regard to storage protein accumulation,we discuss evolutionary origins,developmental processes,characteristics of main storage protein fractions,regulatory networks,and genetic modifications.In addition,we discuss potential breeding strategies to improve storage protein accumulation and provide perspectives on some key unanswered problems that need to be addressed.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900609)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFA0503802)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31530085,31900207,and 32000183)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(18DZ2260500).
文摘Light is an essential environmental signal perceived by a broad range of photoreceptors in plants. Among them, the red/far-red light receptor phytochromes function to promote photomorphogenesis, which is critical to the survival of seedlings after seeds germination. The basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) are the pivotal direct downstream components of phytochromes. H2A.Z is a highly conserved histone variant regulating gene transcription, and its incorporation into nucleosomes is catalyzed by SWI2/SNF2-related 1 complex, in which SWI2/SNF2-related 1 complex subunit 6 (SWC6) and actin-related protein 6 (ARP6) serve as core subunits. Here, we show that PIFs physically interact with SWC6 in vitro and in vivo, leading to the disassociation of HY5 from SWC6. SWC6 and ARP6 regulate hypocotyl elongation partly through PIFs in red light. PIFs and SWC6 coregulate the expression of auxin-responsive genes such as IAA6, IAA19, IAA20, and IAA29 and repress H2A.Z deposition at IAA6 and IAA19 in red light. Based on previous studies and our findings, we propose that PIFs inhibit photomorphogenesis, at least in part, through repression of H2A.Z deposition at auxin-responsive genes mediated by the interactions of PIFs with SWC6 and promotion of their expression in red light.
基金grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0100902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900165,31870296,31700277)+3 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB27020104)the Program from Shanghai Municipal Education Com mission[2019-01-07-00-02-E00006]the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2017M61159)Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production(to H.D.Z.).
文摘The outer wall of pollen and spores,namely the exine,is composed of sporopollenin,which is highly resistant to chemical reagents and enzymes.In this study,we demonstrated that phenylpropanoid pathway derivatives are essential components of sporopollenin in seed plants.Spectral analyses showed that the autofluorescence of Lilium and Arabidopsis sporopollenin is similar to that of lignin.Thioacidolysis and NMR analyses of pollen from Lilium and Cryptomeria further revealed that the sporopollenin of seed plants contains phenylpropanoid derivatives,including p-hydroxybenzoate(p-BA),p-coumarate(p-CA),ferulate(FA),and lignin guaiacyl(G)units.The phenylpropanoid pathway is expressed in the tapetum in Arabidopsis,consistent with the fact that the sporopollenin precursor originates from the tapetum.Further germination and comet assays showed that this pathway plays an important role in protection of pollen against UV radiation.In the pteridophyte plant species Ophioglossum vulgatum and Lycopodium clavata,phenylpropanoid derivatives including p-BA and p-CA were also detected,but G units were not.Taken together,our results indicate that phenylpropanoid derivatives are essential for sporopollenin synthesis in vascular plants.In addition,sporopollenin autofluorescence spectra of bryophytes,such as Physcomitrella and Haplocladium,exhibit distinct characteristics compared with those of vascular plants,indicating the diversity of sporopollenin among land plants.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFF1001800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32088102,32425001,32402382)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB0630000)the New Cornerstone Science Foundation(NCI202248)HighLevel Talents project of Henan Agricultural University(111-30501301)。
文摘Plant roots meticulously select and attract particular microbial taxa from the surrounding bulk soil,thereby establishing a specialized and functionally diverse microbial community within the rhizosphere.Rhizosphere metabolites,including root exudates and microbial metabolites,function as both signals and nutrients that govern the assembly of the rhizosphere microbiome,playing crucial roles in mediating communications between plants and microbes.The environment and their feedback loops further influence these intricate interactions.However,whether and how specific metabolites shape plant-microbe interactions and facilitate diverse functions remains obscure.This review summarizes the current progress in plant-microbe communications mediated by chemical compounds and their functions in plant fitness and ecosystem functioning.Additionally,we raise some prospects on future directions for manipulating metabolite-mediated plantmicrobe interactions to enhance crop productivity and health.Unveiling the biological roles of specific metabolites produced by plants and microbes will bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(grant 2024YFA1306702)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant 32370262)the Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Plant Germplasm Resources(grant 17DZ2252700).
文摘Gibberellin(GA)is a phytohormone that regulates key developmental processes in plants,including seed germination and photomorphogenesis.It is well established that GA signaling involves GA-triggered,26S proteasome-dependent degradation of DELLA proteins.Whether DELLA proteins also undergo autophagic degradation to mediate GA signaling remains unclear.In this study,we investigated the responsiveness of Arabidopsis seedlings to GA and the dynamics of DELLA proteins under nutrient starvation in darkness.We found that GA-induced seed germination and skotomorphogenesis are impaired in autophagy mutants and that GA promotes the autophagic degradation of DELLA proteins.Biochemical and protein localization an-alyses revealed that GA promotes the nuclear export of DELLA proteins and ATG8,their co-localization in autophagosomes,and autophagosome formation.Further biochemical studies demonstrated that GA en-hances the interaction between ATG8 and GID1,thereby promoting the association of ATG8 with DELLA proteins and their autophagic degradation.Through this mechanism,GA promotes seed germination and skotomorphogenesis under nutrient starvation in darkness,enabling seedlings to penetrate the soil rapidly,capture sunlight,and shift to autotrophic growth to overcome nutrient deffciency.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272504)Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(2024TC187)to F.C.
文摘To dissect the signaling networks that orchestrate immune gene expression,we developed a sensitive genetic screen using an ethyl methanesulfonate(EMS)-mutagenized population of Arabidopsis transgenic plants.These plants carry an early immune responsive gene FRK1(flg22-induced receptor-like kinase 1)promoter fused with a luciferase(LUC)reporter.A series of mutants with altered pFRK1::LUC activity were identified and named as Arabidopsis genes governing immune gene expression(aggie).The aggie5 mutant showed reduced pFRK1::LUC induction in response to multiple MAMPs treatments.Moreover,the activation of the endogenous FRK1 gene by MAMPs was also compromised in aggie5.Significantly,the bacterial flagellin epitope flg22-induced MAPK activation,ROS production,and immunerelated gene expression were reduced in aggie5.Map-based cloning coupled with next-generation sequencing revealed that aggie5 encodes a kinase-inactive BAK1,which is involved in brassinosteroid responses,innate immunity,and cell death control.Consistently,the aggie5/bak1-16 mutant displayed compromised responses to BR treatment.Furthermore,the aggie5/bak1-16 mutant exhibited seedling lethality when combined with the mutation of its closest homolog BKK1/SERK4.The data suggest that BAK1 kinase activity is required for its multiple functions in plant immunity,development,and cell death control.The isolation and characterization of these Aggie genes will contribute to a better understanding of host immune signaling and provide genetic resources to improve crop resistance.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U23A20190 and 31971977)the Project 2662022ZKYJ004 supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and the Fund for CAR-12。
文摘Seed weight is a pivotal yield-determining trait in crops,and yet,the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation in polyploid species remain underexplored.In a previous study,we identified cqSW.A03-2,a QTL that regulates thousand seed weight(TSW)in rapeseed(Brassica napus).Here,we identify BnaA3.AHK2,encoding a histidine kinase,as the causal gene of cqSW.A03-2.BnaA3.AHK2 enhances TSW through maternal control of seed coat cell expansion without significantly compromising other yield-related traits.Protein sequence divergence between parental haplotypes caused functional differentiation,with only the ZY50 allele showing functional kinase activity and rescuing developmental defects in Arabidopsis cytokinin receptor mutants.Strikingly,BnaA3.AHK2 seems to be a cytokinin-independent operator,contrasting with the canonical cytokinin signaling pathway.Transcriptome and protein interaction analyses reveal a signaling module where BnaA3.AHK2 engages BnaAHP-Bna ARR phosphorelay components to regulate downstream targets.Notably,the favorable cqSW.A03-2 haplotype has been historically selected in modern breeding,and its introgression into elite hybrids boosted TSW by 3.6%-9.1%,demonstrating its breeding value.Our findings unveil a non-canonical signaling pathway for seed size regulation,providing a strategic genetic target to break yield trade-offs in polyploid crops.
