Selenate and selenite transporters in proso millet: Genome extensive detection and expression studies under salt stress and selenium

Calmodulin and calcium signaling in potato tuberization: The role of membrane transporters in stress adaptation

Potato tuberization is a complex developmental process influenced by environmental factors, such as light and temperature, as well as genetic and biochemical factors. Tuber formation is responsive to day length, with shorter days inducing tuberization more effectively than longer days. Potato tuber yield is regulated by signaling networks involving hormones, transcriptional regulators, and sugars. Calcium plays a pivotal role in this process. Elevated cytoplasmic calcium is detected by calcium sensors, including calmodulins (CaMs), calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs), Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), and calcineurin-B-like proteins (CBLs), promoting tuberization and growth. This review provides mechanistic insights into calcium signaling in potato tuberization, emphasizing its role in stress adaptation. This review further explores the role of calcium/calmodulin in stress response mechanisms and the membrane transporters that facilitate adaptation to environmental challenges like drought, cold, flooding, and heat stress, which are significant threats to potato production globally. Additionally, calcium signaling helps develop tolerance to both abiotic stresses and pathogens, ultimately enhancing plant immune responses to protect potato tubers.

Multifaceted role of selenium in plant physiology and stress resilience: A review

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring element in both seleniferous and non-seleniferous soils. Plants absorb Se in a variety of ways, mainly as selenate (SeO42-), selenite (SeO32-), and organic compounds such as selenomethionine (SeMet). Selenium significantly impacts plant growth, development, and stress responses. It is a trace element that regulates many physiological and biochemical functions in plants, acts as an antioxidant, and increases plant resistance to abiotic stresses such as heavy metal toxicity, salinity, drought, and severe temperatures. Its beneficial effects depend on the dose and vary depending on the plant species and the environmental conditions. Several functions of Se have been thoroughly discussed in this review, with special attention given to the mechanisms of Se uptake, transport, accumulation, and metabolism. Plants use Se through its assimilation into amino acids (mostly selenocysteine and selenomethionine) and integration into proteins. These processes might have different effects depending on the Se concentration. Furthermore, Se has the potential to be a useful tool in sustainable agriculture, especially in regions where environmental stress is common. This is demonstrated by its ability to increase plant tolerance to various environmental stressors. Recent research shows that Se supplementation not only boosts plant resistance but also enhances secondary metabolite accumulation. Overall, this review concludes that Se plays a dual role in plant systems, acting as both a nutrient and a stress mitigator, and provides opportunities to optimize its use in sustainable agriculture by tailoring Se supplementation to maximize plant tolerance and productivity.

Transcriptome analysis of high- and low-selenium genotypes identifies genes responsible for selenium absorption, translocation, and accumulation

Introduction

Selenium is an essential micronutrient the human body requires, which is closely linked to health. Rice, a primary staple food globally, is a major source of human selenium intake. To develop selenium-enriched rice varieties, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms behind selenium's absorption and transport within rice, alongside identifying the key genes involved in selenium uptake, transport, and transformation within the plant.

Methods

This study conducted transcriptome sequencing on four types of rice materials (two with low-selenium and two with high-selenium contents) across roots, stems, leaves, and panicles to analyze the gene expression differences.

Results and discussion

Differential gene expression was observed in the various tissues, identifying 5,815, 6,169, 7,609, and 10,223 distinct genes in roots, stems, leaves, and panicles, respectively. To delve into these differentially expressed genes and identify the hub genes linked to selenium contents, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Ultimately, 10, 8, 7, and 6 hub genes in the roots, stems, leaves, and panicles, respectively, were identified. The identification of these hub genes substantially aids in advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in selenium absorption and transport during the growth of rice.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development. By analysing how promoting agricultural diversification can enhance food system adaptability to evolving environmental conditions, fostering sustainability and resilience, we discuss recent findings that underscore the main benefits and limitations of these crops from agricultural, food science, and health perspectives, all crucial for responsible and sustainable adoption. Thus, by using a sustainable and holistic approach, this revision analyses how the integration of NUS crops into Mediterranean agrifood systems can enhance agriculture resilience and food quality addressing environmental, nutritional, biomedical, economic, and cultural dimensions, thereby mitigating the risks associated with monoculture practices and bolstering local economies and livelihoods under new climate scenarios.

Transcriptome and co-expression network revealed molecular mechanism underlying selenium response of foxtail millet (Setaria italica)

Introduction

Selenium-enriched foxtail millet (Setaria italica) represents a functional cereal with significant health benefits for humans. This study endeavors to examine the impact of foliar application of sodium selenite (Na2SeO4) on foxtail millet, specifically focusing on selenium (Se) accumulation and transportation within various plant tissues.

Methods

To unravel the molecular mechanisms governing selenium accumulation and transportation in foxtail millet, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of selenium content and transcriptome responses in foxtail millet spikelets across different days (3, 5, 7, and 12) under Na2SeO4 treatment (200 μmol/L).

Results

Foxtail millet subjected to selenium fertilizer exhibited significantly elevated selenium levels in each tissue compared to the untreated control. Selenate was observed to be transported and accumulated sequentially in the leaf, stem, and spikes. Transcriptome analysis unveiled a substantial upregulation in the transcription levels of genes associated with selenium metabolism and transport, including sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate transporters, ABC transporters, antioxidants, phytohormone signaling, and transcription factors. These genes demonstrated intricate interactions, both synergistic and antagonistic, forming a complex network that regulated selenate transport mechanisms. Gene co-expression network analysis highlighted three transcription factors in the tan module and three transporters in the turquoise module that significantly correlated with selenium accumulation and transportation. Expression of sulfate transporters (SiSULTR1.2b and SiSULTR3.1a), phosphate transporter (PHT1.3), nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1.1B), glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTs), and ABC transporter (ABCC13) increased with SeO4 2- accumulation. Transcription factors MYB, WRKY, and bHLH were also identified as players in selenium accumulation.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms of selenium accumulation and transportation in foxtail millet. The findings hold theoretical significance for the cultivation of selenium-enriched foxtail millet.