SlTCP24 and SlTCP29 synergistically regulate compound leaf development through interacting with SlAS2 and activating transcription of SlCKX2 in tomato

The GhWL1-GhH1-GhGA2OX1 Transcriptional Module Regulates Cotton Leaf Morphology

Leaf morphology critically influences photosynthetic efficiency, directly affecting crop yield and quality. In this study, a T-DNA insertion mutant (wl-D), characterized by a wrinkled-leaf phenotype, is identified. Genetic analysis reveals that this phenotype is governed by a single dominant gene, WRINKLED-LEAF 1 (GhWL1), which is highly expressed in wl-D compared to the wild type (WT). Overexpression of GhWL1 in WT caused curling at leaf edges, while suppression of GhWL1 in wl-D restored normal leaf morphology, validating its functional role. Further analysis demonstrated that GhWL1 interacts with GhH1, a protein with a KNOX1 structural domain, to regulate leaf development. Overexpression of GhH1 in WT results in a leaf shrinkage phenotype similar to wl-D, whereas suppressing GhH1 in wl-D restored normal leaf morphology, indicating that GhH1 acts downstream of GhWL1. The GhWL1-GhH1 complex directly binds to the promoter of GhGA2OX1 (gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase 1), positively regulating its expression. Overexpression of GhGA2OX1 in WT mimicked the leaf shrinkage phenotype observed in plants overexpressing GhH1. These findings establish the GhWL1-GhH1-GhGA2OX1 module as a critical pathway in regulating leaf development, offering valuable insights into the genetic and hormonal networks controlling leaf morphological diversity.

From Natural Product Derivative to Hexagonal Prism Supermolecule: Potent Biofilm Disintegration, Enhanced Foliar Affinity, and Effective Management of Tomato Bacterial Canker

Clavibacter michiganensis (Cmm), designated as an A2 quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), incites bacterial canker of tomato, which presently eludes rapid and effective control methodologies. Dense biofilms formed by Cmm shield internal bacteria from host immune defenses and obstruct the ingress of agrochemicals. Even when agrochemicals disintegrate biofilms, splashing and bouncing during application disperse active ingredients away from target sites. Herein, we present a supramolecular strategy to fabricate a hexagonal prism-shaped material, BPGA@CB[8], assembled from an 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative (PBGA) and host molecule-cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) via host-guest recognition. This positively charged material manifests multifaceted functionalities, notably the ability to surmount biofilm barriers, annihilate the encased pathogenic bacteria, and enhance foliar affinity of droplets. The strong in vitro potency and effective deposition of BPGA@CB[8] foster optimal conditions for robust in vivo efficacy, demonstrating superior protective and curative activities (56.9 %/53.4 %) against canker of tomato at a low-dose of 100 μg⋅mL-1 compared to BPGA (44.6 %/42.2 %), kasugamycin (30.1 %/28.4 %), and thiodiazole copper (35.4 %/31.0 %). This supramolecular material, based on natural product derivatives, provides a potent treatment for high-risk canker of tomato, and exemplifies the utility of supramolecular strategies in optimizing the attributes of natural products for managing plant bacterial diseases.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of TCP Transcription Factors Responding to Multiple Stresses in Arachis hypogaea L

The TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING-CELL-FACTOR (TCP) gene family, a plant-specific transcription factor family, plays pivotal roles in various processes such as plant growth and development regulation, hormone crosstalk, and stress responses. However, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and characterization of the TCP gene family in peanut has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide search and identified 51 TCP genes (designated as AhTCPs) in peanut, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes. These AhTCPs were phylogenetically classified into three subclasses: PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1. Gene structure analysis of the AhTCPs revealed that most AhTCPs within the same subclade exhibited conserved motifs and domains, as well as similar gene structures. Cis-acting element analysis demonstrated that the AhTCP genes harbored numerous cis-acting elements associated with stress response, plant growth and development, plant hormone response, and light response. Intraspecific collinearity analysis unveiled significant collinear relationships among 32 pairs of these genes. Further collinear evolutionary analysis found that peanuts share 30 pairs, 24 pairs, 33 pairs, and 100 pairs of homologous genes with A. duranensis, A. ipaensis, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Glycine max, respectively. Moreover, we conducted a thorough analysis of the transcriptome expression profiles in peanuts across various tissues, under different hormone treatment conditions, in response to low- and high-calcium treatments, and under low-temperature and drought stress scenarios. The qRT-PCR results were in accordance with the transcriptome expression data. Collectively, these studies have established a solid theoretical foundation for further exploring the biological functions of the TCP gene family in peanuts, providing valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of plant growth, development, and stress responses.

Unraveling TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR Transcription Factors in Safflower: A Blueprint for Stress Resilience and Metabolic Regulation

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a versatile medicinal and economic crop, harbors untapped genetic resources essential for stress resilience and metabolic regulation. The TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) transcription factors, exclusive to plants, are pivotal in orchestrating growth, development, and stress responses, yet their roles in safflower remain unexplored. Here, we report the comprehensive identification and characterization of 26 safflower TCP genes (CtTCPs), categorized into Class I (PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR, PCF) and Class II (CINCINNATA and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA, CIN and CYC/TB1) subfamilies. Comparative phylogenetics, conserved motif, and gene structure analyses revealed a high degree of evolutionary conservation and functional divergence within the gene family. Promoter analyses uncovered light-, hormone-, and stress-responsive cis-elements, underscoring their regulatory potential. Functional insights from qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated dynamic CtTCP expression under abiotic stresses, including abscisic acid (ABA), Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA), Cold, and ultraviolet radiation b (UV-B) treatments. Notably, ABA stress triggered a significant increase in flavonoid accumulation, correlated with the upregulation of key flavonoid biosynthesis genes and select CtTCPs. These findings illuminate the complex regulatory networks underlying safflower's abiotic stress responses and secondary metabolism, offering a molecular framework to enhance crop resilience and metabolic engineering for sustainable agriculture.

SlTCP29 and SlTCP24 participate in the morphological development of tomato compound leaves by integrating multiple pathways

Leaves are the primary vegetative organs of plants, and their morphology is an important trait affecting plant architecture, light energy utilization, environmental adaptation, and fruit quality and yield. Leaf development is highly flexible; however, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of factors coordinating leaf morphogenesis and differentiation remains limited. In this study, we obtained a double mutant for SlTCP29 and SlTCP24 genes from the CRISPR/Cas9 mutant population, both belonging to the CINCINNATA-like TCP (TEOSINTE BRANCHED, CYCLOIDEA and PCF1/2) transcription factor subfamily. Simultaneous mutations of SlTCP29 and SlTCP24 genes increase the complexity of tomato leaves, characterized by deeper leaf margin notches and increased number of leaflets. In conjunction with RNA-seq analysis, determination of plant hormone content, and molecular interaction assays, we identified the KNOXII gene SlTKNII5, SlMIR164a, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase gene SlACS1A as direct downstream targets of SlTCP29 and SlTCP24, among which SlTKNII5 can physically interact with other KNOXII members to form heterodimers. Our study provides insight into the mechanisms by which SlTCP29 and SlTCP24 are involved in the morphological development of tomato compound leaves by integrating multiple pathways, including transcription factor, microRNA, and phytohormone.

Amaranth's Growth and Physiological Responses to Salt Stress and the Functional Analysis of AtrTCP1 Gene

Amaranth species are C4 plants that are rich in betalains, and they are tolerant to salinity stress. A small family of plant-specific TCP transcription factors are involved in the response to salt stress. However, it has not been investigated whether amaranth TCP1 is involved in salt stress. We elucidated that the growth and physiology of amaranth were affected by salt concentrations of 50-200 mmol·L-1 NaCl. The data showed that shoot and root growth was inhibited at 200 mmol·L-1, while it was promoted at 50 mmol·L-1. Meanwhile, the plants also showed physiological responses, which indicated salt-induced injuries and adaptation to the salt stress. Moreover, AtrTCP1 promoted Arabidopsis seed germination. The germination rate of wild-type (WT) and 35S::AtrTCP1-GUS Arabidopsis seeds reached around 92% by the seventh day and 94.5% by the second day under normal conditions, respectively. With 150 mmol·L-1 NaCl treatment, the germination rate of the WT and 35S::AtrTCP1-GUS plant seeds was 27.0% by the seventh day and 93.0% by the fourth day, respectively. Under salt stress, the transformed 35S::AtrTCP1 plants bloomed when they grew 21.8 leaves after 16.2 days of treatment, which was earlier than the WT plants. The transformed Arabidopsis plants flowered early to resist salt stress. These results reveal amaranth's growth and physiological responses to salt stress, and provide valuable information on the AtrTCP1 gene.