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Wang F, Zhao Q, Li S, Sun R, Zang Z, Xiong AS, Seck EHM, Ye Y, Zhang J. Genetic mechanisms, biological function, and biotechnological advance in sorghum tannins research. Biotechnol Adv 2025; 81:108573. [PMID: 40169114 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2025] [Revised: 03/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/26/2025] [Indexed: 04/03/2025]
Abstract
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) holds a unique position in the human diet and serves as a stable food source in many developing countries especially in African and south Asian regions. Tannins, the primary secondary metabolites in sorghum, are pivotal in determining its characteristic bitter taste. Beyond their influence on flavor, tannins play a vital role in sorghum's resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and serve as key indicators of grain quality. The concentration of tannins significantly affects the potential for diverse applications of sorghum. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of sorghum tannins, focusing on their genetic basis, biological activities, and biosynthesis mechanisms. It highlights the relationship between tannin levels and grain color and delves into the underlying biogenetic pathways. Furthermore, the potential of functional genomics and biotechnological approaches in precisely controlling tannin levels for sorghum breeding is discussed. This study aims to offer valuable insights and perspectives for advancing both the scientific understanding and practical applications of sorghum tannins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Wang
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Shuyao Li
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Ruidong Sun
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Zhenyuan Zang
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Ai-Sheng Xiong
- Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - El Hadji Moussa Seck
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China
| | - Yuxin Ye
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Laboratory of Sorghum Biotechnology, Suqian Institute of Applied Research, Suqian, China; Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada.
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Zhao M, Diao X. Combating Parasitic Weeds by Manipulation of Strigolactones Efflux Transporter. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2025. [PMID: 40302145 DOI: 10.1111/pce.15577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2025] [Revised: 04/11/2025] [Accepted: 04/15/2025] [Indexed: 05/01/2025]
Abstract
Summary statementThis is a commentary paper to Shi et al. (2025) and Ban et al. (2025). Resistance to Striga parasitism through reduction of strigolactone exudation. Cell. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.022; Manipulation of a strigolactone transporter in tomato confers resistance to the parasitic weed broomrape. The Innovation, 6(3). doi:10.1016/j.xinn.2025.100815.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meicheng Zhao
- Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xianmin Diao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Westwood JH, Kaur S. Suppressing exudation hides the host from a parasitic plant. Trends Parasitol 2025; 41:269-270. [PMID: 40121137 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2025] [Accepted: 03/06/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
Some parasitic plants rely on strigolactone (SL) chemical signals exuded from host roots to trigger seed germination and initiate parasitism. Shi et al. demonstrate that disabling SL exporters in a sorghum host effectively reduces witchweed parasitism without compromising host plant growth, providing a promising strategy for crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Westwood
- Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Sukhmanpreet Kaur
- Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Virginia Tech Department of Biological Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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