Lilies are globally cultivated ornamental flowers and an economic crop,whose flower bud initiation is regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic factors and external environmental conditions;however,this mechanism ...Lilies are globally cultivated ornamental flowers and an economic crop,whose flower bud initiation is regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic factors and external environmental conditions;however,this mechanism remains largely unknown.In the present study,RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)coupled with histological and gene functional data were employed to reveal the differences in flower bud initiation between various lily cultivars.The results exhibited that the floral buds of the O-series'Brasilia'and'Hachi'differentiated quickly,the LA-series'Purple Marble'and the OA-series'Hotel California'were slower compared to the O-series.Additionally,the T-series'Yellow Planet'and OT-series'Red Morning'floral buds differentiated later.By comparing'Yellow Planet'and'Red Morning'with the'Brasilia,''Hachi,''Purple Marble',and OA-series'Hotel California',5,829 upregulated genes,1,010 downregulated genes,and some differentially expressed genes(DEGS)involved in pathways such as photoperiod,gibberellin,age,vernalization,autonomous,and temperature were identified.A flowering transition-related gene,FCA,was identified,and the effectiveness of the virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)system was validated.The results showed the expression of LtFCA was successfully knocked down using the VIGS system,leading to compromised flower bud initiation in silenced lily plants.This observation underscores a potential correlation between the expression patterns of flowering regulatory genes and the distinct species within the lily series.In conclusion,this research provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of flower bud transition in lilies.展开更多
Stable genetic transformation of peach[Prunus persica(L.)Batsch]still faces many technical challenges,and existing transient expression methods are limited by tissue type or developmental stage,making it difficult to ...Stable genetic transformation of peach[Prunus persica(L.)Batsch]still faces many technical challenges,and existing transient expression methods are limited by tissue type or developmental stage,making it difficult to conduct functional analysis of genes regulating shoot growth.To overcome this dilemma,we developed a three-step method for efficient analysis of gene functions during peach seedling growth and development.This method resulted in transformation frequencies ranging from 48 to 87%,depending on the gene.From transformation of germinating seeds to phenotyping of young saplings took just 1.5 months and can be carried out any time of year.To test the applicability of this method,the function of three tree architecture-related genes,namely PpPDS,PpMAX4,and PpWEEP,and two lateral root-related genes,PpIAA14–1 and−2,were confirmed.Since functional redundancy can challenge gene functional analyses,tests were undertaken with the growth-repressor DELLA,which has three homologous genes,PpDGYLA(DG),PpDELLA1(D1),and−2(D2),in peach that are functionally redundant.Silencing using a triple-target vector(TRV2-DG-D1-D2)resulted in transgenic plants taller than those carrying just TRV2-DG or TRV2.Simultaneously silencing the three DELLA genes also attenuated the stature of two dwarf genotypes,‘FHSXT’and‘HSX’,which normally accumulate DELLA proteins.Our study provides a method for the functional analysis of genes in peach and can be used for the study of root,stem,and leaf development.We believe this method can be replicated in other woody plants.展开更多
Cucurbitaceae is one of the most genetically diverse plant families in the world.Many of them are important vegetables or medicinal plants and are widely distributed worldwide.The rapid development of sequencing techn...Cucurbitaceae is one of the most genetically diverse plant families in the world.Many of them are important vegetables or medicinal plants and are widely distributed worldwide.The rapid development of sequencing technologies and bioinformatic algorithms has enabled the generation of genome sequences of numerous important Cucurbitaceae species.This has greatly facilitated research on gene identification,genome evolution,genetic variation,and molecular breeding of cucurbit crops.So far,genome sequences of 18 different cucurbit species belonging to tribes Benincaseae,Cucurbiteae,Sicyoeae,Momordiceae,and Siraitieae have been deciphered.This review summarizes the genome sequence information,evolutionary relationships,and functional genes associated with important agronomic traits(e.g.fruit quality).The progress of molecular breeding in cucurbit crops and prospects for future applications of Cucurbitaceae genome information are also discussed.展开更多
Heading Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis),a cruciferous family species,is a common leafy vegetable crop native to northern China.Pan-genome and population variome analysis of B.rapa have been completed in ...Heading Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis),a cruciferous family species,is a common leafy vegetable crop native to northern China.Pan-genome and population variome analysis of B.rapa have been completed in recent years,laying a foundation for the study of gene functions in Chinese cabbage.In the current era of functional genomics,large-scale,high-throughput genome sequencing technologies are frequently used to study gene functions,and mutants are important materials for conducting related gene studies.展开更多
To establish a rapid and efficient method for isolating and transforming protoplasts in coconut endosperm,coconut liquid endosperm and young leaves were utilized as starting materials.By comparing factors such as enzy...To establish a rapid and efficient method for isolating and transforming protoplasts in coconut endosperm,coconut liquid endosperm and young leaves were utilized as starting materials.By comparing factors such as enzyme digestion time,quantity,activity,cell and nucleus morphology,ploidy,and subcellular localization,it was discovered that the optimal conditions for achieving the highest protoplast yield and activity were 45 min of enzyme digestion for liquid endosperm and 2.5 h for leaves.Furthermore,the endosperm cells were found to be 2−3 times larger than leaf cells and exhibited triploid characteristics.Moreover,DAPI staining and subcellular localization revealed the presence of significantly enlarged nuclei in protoplasts from coconut liquid endosperm,occupying nearly the entire cell.Using PEG-mediated transformation,the exogenous gene NAC96 was successfully overexpressed in protoplasts derived from both coconut leaves and endosperm.This study has established an efficient method for isolating and transforming protoplasts in coconut while identifying the distinct characteristics of protoplasts in liquid endosperm.These findings provide a crucial experimental platform for verifying coconut gene function and exploring gene expression regulation.展开更多
The present paper predicted the function of unknow genes by analyzing the co-expression data of Arabidopsis thaliana from biological pathway based on the shortest-path algorithm. This paper proposed that transitive co...The present paper predicted the function of unknow genes by analyzing the co-expression data of Arabidopsis thaliana from biological pathway based on the shortest-path algorithm. This paper proposed that transitive co-expression among genes can be used as an important attribute to link genes of the same biological pathway. The genes from the same biological pathway with similar functions are strongly correlated in expression. Moreover,the function of unknown genes can be predicted by the known genes where they are strongly correlated in expression lying on the same shortest-path from the biological pathway. Analyzing the Arabidopsis thaliana from the biological pathway,this study showed that this method can reliably reveal function of the unknown Arabidopsis thaliana genes and the approach of predicting gene function by transitiving co-expression in shortest-path is feasible and effective.展开更多
Obtaining transgenic plants is a common method for analyzing gene function.Unfortunately,stable genetic transformation is difficult to achieve,especially for plants(e.g.,soybean),which are recalcitrant to genetic tran...Obtaining transgenic plants is a common method for analyzing gene function.Unfortunately,stable genetic transformation is difficult to achieve,especially for plants(e.g.,soybean),which are recalcitrant to genetic transformation.Transient expression systems,such as Arabidopsis protoplast,Nicotiana leaves,and onion bulb leaves are widely used for gene functional studies.A simple method for obtaining transgenic soybean callus tissues was reported recently.We extend this system with simplified culture conditions to gene functional studies,including promoter analysis,expression and subcellular localization of the target protein,and protein-protein interaction.We also evaluate the plasticity of this system with soybean varieties,different vector constructs,and various Agrobacterium strains.The results indicated that the callus transformation system is efficient and adaptable for gene functional investigation in soybean genotype-,vector-,and Agrobacterium strain-independent modes.We demonstrated an easy set-up and practical homologous strategy for soybean gene functional studies.展开更多
Perennial grasses have developed intricate mechanisms to adapt to diverse environments,enabling their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stressors.These mechanisms arise from strong natural selection that contri...Perennial grasses have developed intricate mechanisms to adapt to diverse environments,enabling their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stressors.These mechanisms arise from strong natural selection that contributes to enhancing the adaptation of forage plants to various stress conditions.Methods such as antisense RNA technology,CRISPR/Cas9 screening,virus-induced gene silencing,and transgenic technology,are commonly utilized for investigating the stress response functionalities of grass genes in both warm-season and cool-season varieties.This review focuses on the functional identification of stress-resistance genes and regulatory elements in grasses.It synthesizes recent studies on mining functional genes,regulatory genes,and protein kinase-like signaling factors involved in stress responses in grasses.Additionally,the review outlines future research directions,providing theoretical support and references for further exploration of(i)molecular mechanisms underlying grass stress responses,(ii)cultivation and domestication of herbage,(iii)development of high-yield varieties resistant to stress,and(iv)mechanisms and breeding strategies for stress resistance in grasses.展开更多
A GoBlast system was built to predict gene function by integrating Blast search and Gene Ontology(GO)annotations together.The operation system was based on Debian Linux 3.1,with Apache as the web server and Mysql data...A GoBlast system was built to predict gene function by integrating Blast search and Gene Ontology(GO)annotations together.The operation system was based on Debian Linux 3.1,with Apache as the web server and Mysql database as the data storage system.FASTA files with GO annotations were taken as the sequence source for blast alignment,which were formatted by wu-formatdb program.The GoBlast system includes three Bioperl modules in Perl:a data input module,a data process module and a data output module.A GoBlast query starts with an amino acid or nucleotide sequence.It ends with an output in an html page,presenting high scoring gene products which are of a high homology to the queried sequence and listing associated GO terms beside respective gene poducts.A simple click on a GO term leads to the detailed explanation of the specific gene function.This avails gene function prediction by Blast.GoBlast can be a very useful tool for functional genome research and is available for free at http://gffzzd23624d77401408chqu99ouuwwk5x6opf.ffgz.tsg.suse.edu.cn/goblast.展开更多
Antibiotic contamination has garnered significant attention,particularly given the growing pressures from aquaculture,a key contributor to environmental antibiotic loads.Addressing both antibiotic and nitrogen polluti...Antibiotic contamination has garnered significant attention,particularly given the growing pressures from aquaculture,a key contributor to environmental antibiotic loads.Addressing both antibiotic and nitrogen pollution in such ecosystems is critical.In this study,the aerobic denitrifying bacterium Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus RAD-2,previously isolated in our laboratory,was subjected to a series of concentration gradients(0,20,40,60,80,100 mg/L)to evaluate the single and combined effects of tetracycline(TET)and chlortetracycline(CTC)on the aerobic denitrification process.Among them,the combined effects of antibiotics were set up in a full-factor experimental design(a total of 30 treatment combinations)on the basis of the single-factor experiments of TET and CTC.Results demonstrated that the inhibitory impact of both antibiotics intensified with increasing concentration,with CTC exerting a more pronounced inhibitory effect.Notably,RAD-2 was unable to proliferate at 100 mg/L of TET or 80 mg/L of CTC.High concentrations of either antibiotic significantly suppressed the expression of key denitrification functional genes,including nirX,napA,norB,and nosZ.Furthermore,simultaneous exposure to both antibiotics led to a rapid decline in nitrogen removal efficiency(TET or CTC>60 mg/L),alongside substantial inhibition of bacterial growth and functional gene expression,except for napA.Under specific concentration ranges,the combination of TET and CTC exhibits a certain degree of antagonistic effect.These findings provide critical insights into the restoration of wetland ecosystem health and inform strategies to mitigate the dual challenges of antibiotic and nitrogen pollution in aquaculture effluents.展开更多
Aspergillus species are ubiquitous fungi that produce mycotoxins(secondary metabolites)known as sterigmatocystin and aflatoxins in many different kinds of foods,which leads to serious contamination in agricultural pro...Aspergillus species are ubiquitous fungi that produce mycotoxins(secondary metabolites)known as sterigmatocystin and aflatoxins in many different kinds of foods,which leads to serious contamination in agricultural products,thereby endangering human health.Extensive studies on Aspergillus fungi have been conducted on growth and development,aflatoxin biosynthesis,and their interactions with environment.Here,we summarized a series of functional genes of the main Aspergillus fungi relative to toxins occurrence in foods,which revealed the signal transduction mechanisms of their involvement in growth and development,toxin production,and response to light,anticipating providing theoretical guidance on developing control and prevention technologies for mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products to ensure food safety.展开更多
The MADS-box gene family,particularly the ABCE-class genes,plays a pivotal role in regulating floral development and reproductive processes in angiosperms.Expansion of the MADS-box gene family through ancient whole-ge...The MADS-box gene family,particularly the ABCE-class genes,plays a pivotal role in regulating floral development and reproductive processes in angiosperms.Expansion of the MADS-box gene family through ancient whole-genome duplications and lineage-specific duplication events has generated extensive regulatory flexibility across flowering plants.This review summarizes current findings on the evolutionary expansion and functional diversification of MADS-box genes,with a focus on the evolution of the ABCE-class in ornamental plants.We highlight how differential gene retention,expression divergence,and functional specialization have shaped the remarkable morphological diversity of floral organs across flowering plants.Comparative analyses across angiosperms reveal a lineage-dependent distinction between phylogenetic A-class genes and the developmental A-function:while AP1 represents the canonical A-class gene in core eudicots,AGL6-like genes fulfill ancestral A-function roles in early-diverging angiosperms,magnoliids,and monocots.Lineage-specific expansion and rewiring of ABCE gene networks,as observed in Orchidaceae,Asteraceae,and Rosaceae,have enabled reassembly of MADS-box protein complexes and rebalancing of expression domains,driving innovative floral forms.Beyond floral development,numerous MADS-box genes have diversified to function in flowering-time regulation and environmental stress responses,highlighting their broader adaptive significance beyond reproduction.This review provides an integrated evolutionary and functional perspective on MADS-box genes plasticity,and offers valuable insights for ornamental plant breeding and horticultural improvement.展开更多
The subgenus Soja,including annual wild(Glycine soja)and cultivated soybean(Glycine max),is the primary germplasm source of soybeans.We analyzed the genome constitution of 750 wild and cultivated accessions from the C...The subgenus Soja,including annual wild(Glycine soja)and cultivated soybean(Glycine max),is the primary germplasm source of soybeans.We analyzed the genome constitution of 750 wild and cultivated accessions from the Chinese Soybean Germplasm Population(CSGP),covering~20.42%genic and~79.58%intergenic regions.Most previous genomic studies focused on gene compositions and functions,with intergenic regions being nonemphasized yet.Our results showed:(i)We defined48,465 gene blocks(2–23 alleles/gene block)in the genic region.For intergenic region partitioning,the linkage-disequilibrium(LD)confidence interval(CI)method performed the best,identifying 137,104 SNP LD blocks(SNPLDBs,2–24 haplotypes/SNPLDB).(ii)Wild and cultivated accessions shared 98.5%/80.9%genes/alleles and 88.0%/80.8%SNPLDBs/haplotypes,indicating high wild genomic contribution to the cultivated genome;genic and intergenic regions exhibit distinct allele/haplotype dynamics during domestication.(iii)We proposed the threecase restricted two-stage multi-locus multi-allele genome-wide association study(three-case RTMGWAS),identifying 82 day-to-flowering(DTF)maineffect genes and 47 intergenic-SNPLDB-impacted genes(by 34 SNPLDBs)(total 129 genes,746 alleles).These explained 98.87%of phenotypic variance(PV),with main-effect and SNPLDB-impacted genes accounting for 68.61%and 30.26%PV,respectively;gene-allele(s)impacted by SNPLDB-haplotype(one/both sides)were also identified.(iv)Domestication process excluded more large-effect positive alleles that shorten DTF in cultivated accessions,enhancing DTFÂs transgressive recombination potential in earliness.This study provides insights into genic/intergenic genome regions,offering a novel understanding of soybean functional genomics.展开更多
Leaf thickness in rice critically influences photosynthetic efficiency and yield,yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood,with few functional genes previously characterized.In this study,we employ a pangenome-w...Leaf thickness in rice critically influences photosynthetic efficiency and yield,yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood,with few functional genes previously characterized.In this study,we employ a pangenome-wide association study(Pan-GWAS)on 302 diverse rice accessions from southern China,identifying 49 quantitative trait loci(QTLs)associated with leaf thickness.The most significant locus,qLT9,is fine-mapped to a 79-kb region on chromosome 9.Transcriptomic and genomic sequence analyses identify LOC_Os09g33480,which encodes a protein belonging to Multiple Organellar RNA Editing Factor family,as the key candidate gene.Overexpression and complementation transgenic experiments confirm LOC_Os09g33480(OsLT9)as the functional gene underlying qLT9,demonstrating a 24-bp Indel in its promoter correlates with the expression levels and leaf thickness.Notably,OsLT9 overexpression lines show not only thicker leaf,but also significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield,establishing a link between leaf thickness modulation and yield enhancement.Population genomic analyses indicate strong selection for OsLT9 during domestication and breeding,with modern cultivars favoring thick leaf haplotype of OsLT9.This study establishes OsLT9 as a key regulator controlling leaf thickness in rice,and provides a valuable genetic resource for molecular breeding of high-yielding rice through optimization of plant architecture.展开更多
The integration of green manure(GM)crops into traditional cropping systems has regained attention for its potential to improve soil organic carbon(SOC)content in an environmentally sustainable way.However,the effects ...The integration of green manure(GM)crops into traditional cropping systems has regained attention for its potential to improve soil organic carbon(SOC)content in an environmentally sustainable way.However,the effects of carbon(C)input from different GM species on the SOC accumulation and recalcitrant C fractions across soil profile remain inadequately understood.This three-year field study in the North China Plain assessed SOC changes and C fractions of easily oxidizable carbon(EOC)and recalcitrant organic carbon(ROC)in fallow,rye,rapeseed,and vetch systems,with δ13C analysis for GM-derived C fraction and microbial C-decomposition functional genes.Our results showed that SOC was significantly increased by GMs.Rapeseed was the only species that improved SOC at 20–40 cm,the rapeseed-derived C contributed 2.48%of the SOC.Rye enhanced EOC and ROC at topsoil,rapeseed increased ROC at 20–60 cm,and vetch increased EOC at 40–60 cm.At the topsoil,the abundances of cellulose-and pectin-decomposition genes were increased in vetch and decreased in rye.At 20–40 cm,the pectin-and lignin-decomposition genes were markedly improved by rapeseed,while at 40–60 cm,the chitin-decomposition gene was increased in vetch,indicating the microbial promoting effects by deep roots of vetch and rapeseed.Our results suggest GM species infiuence SOC deposition depth and the recalcitrance of SOC decomposition,thereby affecting the distribution of SOC accumulation through microbial-driven C decomposition activities.展开更多
Iris japonica,an evergreen ornamental species known for its beautiful flowers and year-round evergreen foliage,is difficult to genetically manipulate due to the lack of an efficient genetic transformation system.This ...Iris japonica,an evergreen ornamental species known for its beautiful flowers and year-round evergreen foliage,is difficult to genetically manipulate due to the lack of an efficient genetic transformation system.This limitation hinders the functional verification of key genes in I.japonica.To address this,a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing(VIGS)system based on Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)was developed,enabling efficient,transient gene silencing in I.japonica.In this system,the phytoene desaturase(PDS)gene,a common reporter gene used for VIGS,was selected to assess the silencing efficiency.The recombinant vector pTRV2-IjPDS was used to infect I.japonica plants.The PDS gene silencing resulted in distinct photobleaching symptoms,demonstrating the successful silencing of the target gene.The presence of the TRV vector was verified by using a GFP-tagged pTRV2-GFP vector,and GFP expression was detected using fluorescence visualization under ultraviolet(UV)light and confirmed by laser confocal microscopy.Real-time PCR was used to quantify the reduction in IjPDS gene expression,confirming the successful silencing.The study further optimized the VIGS system by evaluating the impact of seedling ages on silencing efficiency,identifying one-year-old seedlings as the most effective for gene silencing(36.67%).This TRV-based VIGS system provides a robust tool for functional gene analysis in I.japonica and offers a new approach to studying the rules of key genes in its biological processes,with potential applications in ornamental plant breeding and genomics research.展开更多
Ion channels are crucial in the generation and modulation of excitability in the nervous system and have been implicated in human epilepsy. Forty-one epilepsyassociated ion channel genes and their mutations are system...Ion channels are crucial in the generation and modulation of excitability in the nervous system and have been implicated in human epilepsy. Forty-one epilepsyassociated ion channel genes and their mutations are systematically reviewed. In this paper, we analyzed the genotypes, functional alterations(funotypes), and phenotypes of these mutations. Eleven genes featured loss-offunction mutations and six had gain-of-function mutations.Nine genes displayed diversified funotypes, among which a distinct funotype-phenotype correlation was found in SCN1A. These data suggest that the funotype is an essential consideration in evaluating the pathogenicity of mutations and a distinct funotype or funotype-phenotype correlation helps to define the pathogenic potential of a gene.展开更多
Rice is a model plant for genomic study of grass species. Functional identification and definition of rice genes becomes the object of its functional genomics research. WRKY gene superfamily, one of the transcription ...Rice is a model plant for genomic study of grass species. Functional identification and definition of rice genes becomes the object of its functional genomics research. WRKY gene superfamily, one of the transcription factor gene families, was recently suggested to play important roles in plant development and stress response. In rice, the results of analyses of expression pattern and ectopic overexpressor lines also support this viewpoint, and the evidences implicate rice WRKY proteins in transcriptional reprogramming during biotic or abiotic stresses, senescence, sugar metabolites, and morphological architecture. In this paper, we review the advance in study of rice WRKY gene family and also propose unified nomenclature for rice WRKY factors to eliminate confusion.展开更多
Plant expression vectors are essential tools for gene functional analysis and molecular plant breeding.The gene of interest is transferred to the vector by molecular cloning technology.Nimble Cloning is a newly develo...Plant expression vectors are essential tools for gene functional analysis and molecular plant breeding.The gene of interest is transferred to the vector by molecular cloning technology.Nimble Cloning is a newly developed molecular cloning method with the advantages of simplicity,efficiency,and standardization.In this study,we developed a"pNC"vector system that contains 55 Nimble Cloning-compatible vectors for functional analysis of genes in plants.These vectors contain the NC frame flanked by unique adapters for one-step and standardized Nimble Cloning.We demonstrate that the pNC vectors are convenient and effective for the functional analysis of plant genes,including the study of gene ectopic expression,protein subcellular localization,protein-protein interaction,gene silencing(RNAi),virus-induced gene silencing,promoter activity,and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing.The"pNC"vector system represents a high-throughput toolkit that can facilitate the large-scale analysis of plant functional genomics.展开更多
It is very important in the field of bioinformatics to apply computer to perform the function annotation for new sequenced bio-sequences. Based on GO database and BLAST program, a novel method for the function annotat...It is very important in the field of bioinformatics to apply computer to perform the function annotation for new sequenced bio-sequences. Based on GO database and BLAST program, a novel method for the function annotation of new biological sequences is presented by using the variable-precision rough set theory. The proposed method is applied to the real data in GO database to examine its effectiveness. Numerical results show that the proposed method has better precision, recall-rate and harmonic mean value compared with existing methods.展开更多
基金supported by the Excellent Youth Science Foundation of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences(YXQN202303 to Yunpeng Du)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371954 to Yunpeng Du+1 种基金32302599 to Jiahui Liang and 32201606 to Mingfang Zhang)the Special Projects for Capacity Building in Scientific and Technological Innovation of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences(KJCX20230801 and KJCX20230106).
摘要Lilies are globally cultivated ornamental flowers and an economic crop,whose flower bud initiation is regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic factors and external environmental conditions;however,this mechanism remains largely unknown.In the present study,RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)coupled with histological and gene functional data were employed to reveal the differences in flower bud initiation between various lily cultivars.The results exhibited that the floral buds of the O-series'Brasilia'and'Hachi'differentiated quickly,the LA-series'Purple Marble'and the OA-series'Hotel California'were slower compared to the O-series.Additionally,the T-series'Yellow Planet'and OT-series'Red Morning'floral buds differentiated later.By comparing'Yellow Planet'and'Red Morning'with the'Brasilia,''Hachi,''Purple Marble',and OA-series'Hotel California',5,829 upregulated genes,1,010 downregulated genes,and some differentially expressed genes(DEGS)involved in pathways such as photoperiod,gibberellin,age,vernalization,autonomous,and temperature were identified.A flowering transition-related gene,FCA,was identified,and the effectiveness of the virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)system was validated.The results showed the expression of LtFCA was successfully knocked down using the VIGS system,leading to compromised flower bud initiation in silenced lily plants.This observation underscores a potential correlation between the expression patterns of flowering regulatory genes and the distinct species within the lily series.In conclusion,this research provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of flower bud transition in lilies.
基金supported by the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1804114)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019YFD1000104)the Mod-ern Agricultural Industry Technology Project of Henan Province(HARS-22-09-G1).
摘要Stable genetic transformation of peach[Prunus persica(L.)Batsch]still faces many technical challenges,and existing transient expression methods are limited by tissue type or developmental stage,making it difficult to conduct functional analysis of genes regulating shoot growth.To overcome this dilemma,we developed a three-step method for efficient analysis of gene functions during peach seedling growth and development.This method resulted in transformation frequencies ranging from 48 to 87%,depending on the gene.From transformation of germinating seeds to phenotyping of young saplings took just 1.5 months and can be carried out any time of year.To test the applicability of this method,the function of three tree architecture-related genes,namely PpPDS,PpMAX4,and PpWEEP,and two lateral root-related genes,PpIAA14–1 and−2,were confirmed.Since functional redundancy can challenge gene functional analyses,tests were undertaken with the growth-repressor DELLA,which has three homologous genes,PpDGYLA(DG),PpDELLA1(D1),and−2(D2),in peach that are functionally redundant.Silencing using a triple-target vector(TRV2-DG-D1-D2)resulted in transgenic plants taller than those carrying just TRV2-DG or TRV2.Simultaneously silencing the three DELLA genes also attenuated the stature of two dwarf genotypes,‘FHSXT’and‘HSX’,which normally accumulate DELLA proteins.Our study provides a method for the functional analysis of genes in peach and can be used for the study of root,stem,and leaf development.We believe this method can be replicated in other woody plants.
基金supported by grants from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission(Z191100008619004 and Z191100004019010)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31772022 and 32072284)+2 种基金the Key Project‘Science and Technology Boost the Economy 2020’,China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-23)Special innovation ability construction fund of Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences(20200427 and 20210437)Collaborative innovation center of Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences(201915).
摘要Cucurbitaceae is one of the most genetically diverse plant families in the world.Many of them are important vegetables or medicinal plants and are widely distributed worldwide.The rapid development of sequencing technologies and bioinformatic algorithms has enabled the generation of genome sequences of numerous important Cucurbitaceae species.This has greatly facilitated research on gene identification,genome evolution,genetic variation,and molecular breeding of cucurbit crops.So far,genome sequences of 18 different cucurbit species belonging to tribes Benincaseae,Cucurbiteae,Sicyoeae,Momordiceae,and Siraitieae have been deciphered.This review summarizes the genome sequence information,evolutionary relationships,and functional genes associated with important agronomic traits(e.g.fruit quality).The progress of molecular breeding in cucurbit crops and prospects for future applications of Cucurbitaceae genome information are also discussed.
摘要Heading Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis),a cruciferous family species,is a common leafy vegetable crop native to northern China.Pan-genome and population variome analysis of B.rapa have been completed in recent years,laying a foundation for the study of gene functions in Chinese cabbage.In the current era of functional genomics,large-scale,high-throughput genome sequencing technologies are frequently used to study gene functions,and mutants are important materials for conducting related gene studies.
基金supported by the Hainan Province Science and Technology Special Fund(No.ZDYF2022XDNY148)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(No.32260064).
摘要To establish a rapid and efficient method for isolating and transforming protoplasts in coconut endosperm,coconut liquid endosperm and young leaves were utilized as starting materials.By comparing factors such as enzyme digestion time,quantity,activity,cell and nucleus morphology,ploidy,and subcellular localization,it was discovered that the optimal conditions for achieving the highest protoplast yield and activity were 45 min of enzyme digestion for liquid endosperm and 2.5 h for leaves.Furthermore,the endosperm cells were found to be 2−3 times larger than leaf cells and exhibited triploid characteristics.Moreover,DAPI staining and subcellular localization revealed the presence of significantly enlarged nuclei in protoplasts from coconut liquid endosperm,occupying nearly the entire cell.Using PEG-mediated transformation,the exogenous gene NAC96 was successfully overexpressed in protoplasts derived from both coconut leaves and endosperm.This study has established an efficient method for isolating and transforming protoplasts in coconut while identifying the distinct characteristics of protoplasts in liquid endosperm.These findings provide a crucial experimental platform for verifying coconut gene function and exploring gene expression regulation.
基金Supported by Shanghai Municipal Education Committee Educationand Scientific Research(Grant No.07ZZ60)
摘要The present paper predicted the function of unknow genes by analyzing the co-expression data of Arabidopsis thaliana from biological pathway based on the shortest-path algorithm. This paper proposed that transitive co-expression among genes can be used as an important attribute to link genes of the same biological pathway. The genes from the same biological pathway with similar functions are strongly correlated in expression. Moreover,the function of unknown genes can be predicted by the known genes where they are strongly correlated in expression lying on the same shortest-path from the biological pathway. Analyzing the Arabidopsis thaliana from the biological pathway,this study showed that this method can reliably reveal function of the unknown Arabidopsis thaliana genes and the approach of predicting gene function by transitiving co-expression in shortest-path is feasible and effective.
基金supported by the Transgenic Programs,China(2014ZX0800930B and 2016ZX08009-001)the National Natural Science Found of China(31371703)
摘要Obtaining transgenic plants is a common method for analyzing gene function.Unfortunately,stable genetic transformation is difficult to achieve,especially for plants(e.g.,soybean),which are recalcitrant to genetic transformation.Transient expression systems,such as Arabidopsis protoplast,Nicotiana leaves,and onion bulb leaves are widely used for gene functional studies.A simple method for obtaining transgenic soybean callus tissues was reported recently.We extend this system with simplified culture conditions to gene functional studies,including promoter analysis,expression and subcellular localization of the target protein,and protein-protein interaction.We also evaluate the plasticity of this system with soybean varieties,different vector constructs,and various Agrobacterium strains.The results indicated that the callus transformation system is efficient and adaptable for gene functional investigation in soybean genotype-,vector-,and Agrobacterium strain-independent modes.We demonstrated an easy set-up and practical homologous strategy for soybean gene functional studies.
基金supported by the Chief Scientist Program of Qinghai Province(2024-SF-101).
摘要Perennial grasses have developed intricate mechanisms to adapt to diverse environments,enabling their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stressors.These mechanisms arise from strong natural selection that contributes to enhancing the adaptation of forage plants to various stress conditions.Methods such as antisense RNA technology,CRISPR/Cas9 screening,virus-induced gene silencing,and transgenic technology,are commonly utilized for investigating the stress response functionalities of grass genes in both warm-season and cool-season varieties.This review focuses on the functional identification of stress-resistance genes and regulatory elements in grasses.It synthesizes recent studies on mining functional genes,regulatory genes,and protein kinase-like signaling factors involved in stress responses in grasses.Additionally,the review outlines future research directions,providing theoretical support and references for further exploration of(i)molecular mechanisms underlying grass stress responses,(ii)cultivation and domestication of herbage,(iii)development of high-yield varieties resistant to stress,and(iv)mechanisms and breeding strategies for stress resistance in grasses.
摘要A GoBlast system was built to predict gene function by integrating Blast search and Gene Ontology(GO)annotations together.The operation system was based on Debian Linux 3.1,with Apache as the web server and Mysql database as the data storage system.FASTA files with GO annotations were taken as the sequence source for blast alignment,which were formatted by wu-formatdb program.The GoBlast system includes three Bioperl modules in Perl:a data input module,a data process module and a data output module.A GoBlast query starts with an amino acid or nucleotide sequence.It ends with an output in an html page,presenting high scoring gene products which are of a high homology to the queried sequence and listing associated GO terms beside respective gene poducts.A simple click on a GO term leads to the detailed explanation of the specific gene function.This avails gene function prediction by Blast.GoBlast can be a very useful tool for functional genome research and is available for free at http://gffzzd23624d77401408chqu99ouuwwk5x6opf.ffgz.tsg.suse.edu.cn/goblast.
基金supported by the Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Zhejiang Province(No.LR22C190001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41401556).
摘要Antibiotic contamination has garnered significant attention,particularly given the growing pressures from aquaculture,a key contributor to environmental antibiotic loads.Addressing both antibiotic and nitrogen pollution in such ecosystems is critical.In this study,the aerobic denitrifying bacterium Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus RAD-2,previously isolated in our laboratory,was subjected to a series of concentration gradients(0,20,40,60,80,100 mg/L)to evaluate the single and combined effects of tetracycline(TET)and chlortetracycline(CTC)on the aerobic denitrification process.Among them,the combined effects of antibiotics were set up in a full-factor experimental design(a total of 30 treatment combinations)on the basis of the single-factor experiments of TET and CTC.Results demonstrated that the inhibitory impact of both antibiotics intensified with increasing concentration,with CTC exerting a more pronounced inhibitory effect.Notably,RAD-2 was unable to proliferate at 100 mg/L of TET or 80 mg/L of CTC.High concentrations of either antibiotic significantly suppressed the expression of key denitrification functional genes,including nirX,napA,norB,and nosZ.Furthermore,simultaneous exposure to both antibiotics led to a rapid decline in nitrogen removal efficiency(TET or CTC>60 mg/L),alongside substantial inhibition of bacterial growth and functional gene expression,except for napA.Under specific concentration ranges,the combination of TET and CTC exhibits a certain degree of antagonistic effect.These findings provide critical insights into the restoration of wetland ecosystem health and inform strategies to mitigate the dual challenges of antibiotic and nitrogen pollution in aquaculture effluents.
基金supported by the key project of National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(U22A20551,32030085)the Major Project of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory,China(2021hszd015)+2 种基金the Hubei Province Major Science and Technology Special Project,China(2023BBA002)the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(U22A20551)the National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Youth Fund(32422072)。
摘要Aspergillus species are ubiquitous fungi that produce mycotoxins(secondary metabolites)known as sterigmatocystin and aflatoxins in many different kinds of foods,which leads to serious contamination in agricultural products,thereby endangering human health.Extensive studies on Aspergillus fungi have been conducted on growth and development,aflatoxin biosynthesis,and their interactions with environment.Here,we summarized a series of functional genes of the main Aspergillus fungi relative to toxins occurrence in foods,which revealed the signal transduction mechanisms of their involvement in growth and development,toxin production,and response to light,anticipating providing theoretical guidance on developing control and prevention technologies for mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products to ensure food safety.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32272750)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.LZ26C150003)+6 种基金Opening Project of Hou Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province(Grant No.2025HJZ03)funded by the 2025 Lishui City Municipal Innovation-Guided Research and Development Project(No.2025cxyd184)funded by the Australian Research Council(Grant No.FT210100366)Horticulture Innovation Australia(LP18000)Grain Research and Development Corporation(Grant No.WSU2303-001RTX)funded by European Union Next-Generation EU[PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA(PNRR)―MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2,INVESTIMENTO 1.4―D.D.103217/06/2022,CN00000022],part of the Agritech National Research CenterSeed PSRL324 Research Grant from University of Milan。
摘要The MADS-box gene family,particularly the ABCE-class genes,plays a pivotal role in regulating floral development and reproductive processes in angiosperms.Expansion of the MADS-box gene family through ancient whole-genome duplications and lineage-specific duplication events has generated extensive regulatory flexibility across flowering plants.This review summarizes current findings on the evolutionary expansion and functional diversification of MADS-box genes,with a focus on the evolution of the ABCE-class in ornamental plants.We highlight how differential gene retention,expression divergence,and functional specialization have shaped the remarkable morphological diversity of floral organs across flowering plants.Comparative analyses across angiosperms reveal a lineage-dependent distinction between phylogenetic A-class genes and the developmental A-function:while AP1 represents the canonical A-class gene in core eudicots,AGL6-like genes fulfill ancestral A-function roles in early-diverging angiosperms,magnoliids,and monocots.Lineage-specific expansion and rewiring of ABCE gene networks,as observed in Orchidaceae,Asteraceae,and Rosaceae,have enabled reassembly of MADS-box protein complexes and rebalancing of expression domains,driving innovative floral forms.Beyond floral development,numerous MADS-box genes have diversified to function in flowering-time regulation and environmental stress responses,highlighting their broader adaptive significance beyond reproduction.This review provides an integrated evolutionary and functional perspective on MADS-box genes plasticity,and offers valuable insights for ornamental plant breeding and horticultural improvement.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFD1201400)the Local Science and Technology Development Fund Guided by the Central Government of Shandong Province(YDZX2023102)+4 种基金the Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory(ZSBBL-KY2023-03)the Key Science&Technology Project of Anhui Province(202423l10050012)the MOE 111Project(B08025)the MOA CARS-04 programthe Sanya institute of NAU(NAUSY-ZZ02)。
摘要The subgenus Soja,including annual wild(Glycine soja)and cultivated soybean(Glycine max),is the primary germplasm source of soybeans.We analyzed the genome constitution of 750 wild and cultivated accessions from the Chinese Soybean Germplasm Population(CSGP),covering~20.42%genic and~79.58%intergenic regions.Most previous genomic studies focused on gene compositions and functions,with intergenic regions being nonemphasized yet.Our results showed:(i)We defined48,465 gene blocks(2–23 alleles/gene block)in the genic region.For intergenic region partitioning,the linkage-disequilibrium(LD)confidence interval(CI)method performed the best,identifying 137,104 SNP LD blocks(SNPLDBs,2–24 haplotypes/SNPLDB).(ii)Wild and cultivated accessions shared 98.5%/80.9%genes/alleles and 88.0%/80.8%SNPLDBs/haplotypes,indicating high wild genomic contribution to the cultivated genome;genic and intergenic regions exhibit distinct allele/haplotype dynamics during domestication.(iii)We proposed the threecase restricted two-stage multi-locus multi-allele genome-wide association study(three-case RTMGWAS),identifying 82 day-to-flowering(DTF)maineffect genes and 47 intergenic-SNPLDB-impacted genes(by 34 SNPLDBs)(total 129 genes,746 alleles).These explained 98.87%of phenotypic variance(PV),with main-effect and SNPLDB-impacted genes accounting for 68.61%and 30.26%PV,respectively;gene-allele(s)impacted by SNPLDB-haplotype(one/both sides)were also identified.(iv)Domestication process excluded more large-effect positive alleles that shorten DTF in cultivated accessions,enhancing DTFÂs transgressive recombination potential in earliness.This study provides insights into genic/intergenic genome regions,offering a novel understanding of soybean functional genomics.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32301845)GuangDong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2022A1515012339)+3 种基金the National Key R&D Program of China(2024YFD1200801)Seed industry revitalization project of special fund for rural revitalization strategy in Guangdong Province(2024-NPY-00-001)Modern Seed Industry Innovation Capacity Enhancement Progject of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Elite Rice Plan of GDRRI(2023YG01)Guangdong Key Laboratory of Rice Science and Technology(2023B1212060042).
摘要Leaf thickness in rice critically influences photosynthetic efficiency and yield,yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood,with few functional genes previously characterized.In this study,we employ a pangenome-wide association study(Pan-GWAS)on 302 diverse rice accessions from southern China,identifying 49 quantitative trait loci(QTLs)associated with leaf thickness.The most significant locus,qLT9,is fine-mapped to a 79-kb region on chromosome 9.Transcriptomic and genomic sequence analyses identify LOC_Os09g33480,which encodes a protein belonging to Multiple Organellar RNA Editing Factor family,as the key candidate gene.Overexpression and complementation transgenic experiments confirm LOC_Os09g33480(OsLT9)as the functional gene underlying qLT9,demonstrating a 24-bp Indel in its promoter correlates with the expression levels and leaf thickness.Notably,OsLT9 overexpression lines show not only thicker leaf,but also significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield,establishing a link between leaf thickness modulation and yield enhancement.Population genomic analyses indicate strong selection for OsLT9 during domestication and breeding,with modern cultivars favoring thick leaf haplotype of OsLT9.This study establishes OsLT9 as a key regulator controlling leaf thickness in rice,and provides a valuable genetic resource for molecular breeding of high-yielding rice through optimization of plant architecture.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD1700204-02)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42077099)+1 种基金the Earmarked Fund of the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-04)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy Agricultural Sciences(ASTIP-G2024–01–06)。
摘要The integration of green manure(GM)crops into traditional cropping systems has regained attention for its potential to improve soil organic carbon(SOC)content in an environmentally sustainable way.However,the effects of carbon(C)input from different GM species on the SOC accumulation and recalcitrant C fractions across soil profile remain inadequately understood.This three-year field study in the North China Plain assessed SOC changes and C fractions of easily oxidizable carbon(EOC)and recalcitrant organic carbon(ROC)in fallow,rye,rapeseed,and vetch systems,with δ13C analysis for GM-derived C fraction and microbial C-decomposition functional genes.Our results showed that SOC was significantly increased by GMs.Rapeseed was the only species that improved SOC at 20–40 cm,the rapeseed-derived C contributed 2.48%of the SOC.Rye enhanced EOC and ROC at topsoil,rapeseed increased ROC at 20–60 cm,and vetch increased EOC at 40–60 cm.At the topsoil,the abundances of cellulose-and pectin-decomposition genes were increased in vetch and decreased in rye.At 20–40 cm,the pectin-and lignin-decomposition genes were markedly improved by rapeseed,while at 40–60 cm,the chitin-decomposition gene was increased in vetch,indicating the microbial promoting effects by deep roots of vetch and rapeseed.Our results suggest GM species infiuence SOC deposition depth and the recalcitrance of SOC decomposition,thereby affecting the distribution of SOC accumulation through microbial-driven C decomposition activities.
基金supported by the general project of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education(Grant No.Y202456763)the Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Start-up Fund(Grant No.24052162-Y)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2021M692790)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Grant No.31901352).
摘要Iris japonica,an evergreen ornamental species known for its beautiful flowers and year-round evergreen foliage,is difficult to genetically manipulate due to the lack of an efficient genetic transformation system.This limitation hinders the functional verification of key genes in I.japonica.To address this,a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing(VIGS)system based on Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)was developed,enabling efficient,transient gene silencing in I.japonica.In this system,the phytoene desaturase(PDS)gene,a common reporter gene used for VIGS,was selected to assess the silencing efficiency.The recombinant vector pTRV2-IjPDS was used to infect I.japonica plants.The PDS gene silencing resulted in distinct photobleaching symptoms,demonstrating the successful silencing of the target gene.The presence of the TRV vector was verified by using a GFP-tagged pTRV2-GFP vector,and GFP expression was detected using fluorescence visualization under ultraviolet(UV)light and confirmed by laser confocal microscopy.Real-time PCR was used to quantify the reduction in IjPDS gene expression,confirming the successful silencing.The study further optimized the VIGS system by evaluating the impact of seedling ages on silencing efficiency,identifying one-year-old seedlings as the most effective for gene silencing(36.67%).This TRV-based VIGS system provides a robust tool for functional gene analysis in I.japonica and offers a new approach to studying the rules of key genes in its biological processes,with potential applications in ornamental plant breeding and genomics research.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81571273,81571274,81501124,81271434,and 81301107)Omics-based precision medicine of epilepsy being entrusted by Key Research Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2016YFC0904400)+5 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,China (2014A030313489)Science and Technology Planning Projects of Guangdong Province,China (2012B031800404 and 2013B051000084)the Department of Education of Guangdong Province,China (2013CXZDA022,2013KJCX0156,and 2012KJCX009)the Foundation for High-level Talents in Higher Education of Guangdong Province,China (2013-167)Yangcheng Scholar Research Projects of Guangzhou Municipal College (12A016S and 12A017G)Science and Technology Projects of Guangzhou,Guangdong Province,China (2014J4100069,201508020011,201604020161,and 201607010002)
摘要Ion channels are crucial in the generation and modulation of excitability in the nervous system and have been implicated in human epilepsy. Forty-one epilepsyassociated ion channel genes and their mutations are systematically reviewed. In this paper, we analyzed the genotypes, functional alterations(funotypes), and phenotypes of these mutations. Eleven genes featured loss-offunction mutations and six had gain-of-function mutations.Nine genes displayed diversified funotypes, among which a distinct funotype-phenotype correlation was found in SCN1A. These data suggest that the funotype is an essential consideration in evaluating the pathogenicity of mutations and a distinct funotype or funotype-phenotype correlation helps to define the pathogenic potential of a gene.
基金supported by the Science Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.KSCX2-YW-N-007)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30370803)+1 种基金the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No.2005DKA21006)‘Hundred Talents’ Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
摘要Rice is a model plant for genomic study of grass species. Functional identification and definition of rice genes becomes the object of its functional genomics research. WRKY gene superfamily, one of the transcription factor gene families, was recently suggested to play important roles in plant development and stress response. In rice, the results of analyses of expression pattern and ectopic overexpressor lines also support this viewpoint, and the evidences implicate rice WRKY proteins in transcriptional reprogramming during biotic or abiotic stresses, senescence, sugar metabolites, and morphological architecture. In this paper, we review the advance in study of rice WRKY gene family and also propose unified nomenclature for rice WRKY factors to eliminate confusion.
基金the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(320RC706 and 322RC760)the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(no.1630052022004).
摘要Plant expression vectors are essential tools for gene functional analysis and molecular plant breeding.The gene of interest is transferred to the vector by molecular cloning technology.Nimble Cloning is a newly developed molecular cloning method with the advantages of simplicity,efficiency,and standardization.In this study,we developed a"pNC"vector system that contains 55 Nimble Cloning-compatible vectors for functional analysis of genes in plants.These vectors contain the NC frame flanked by unique adapters for one-step and standardized Nimble Cloning.We demonstrate that the pNC vectors are convenient and effective for the functional analysis of plant genes,including the study of gene ectopic expression,protein subcellular localization,protein-protein interaction,gene silencing(RNAi),virus-induced gene silencing,promoter activity,and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing.The"pNC"vector system represents a high-throughput toolkit that can facilitate the large-scale analysis of plant functional genomics.
基金the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.60673023,60433020,10501017,3040016the European Commission for TH/Asia Link/010 under Grant No.111084.
摘要It is very important in the field of bioinformatics to apply computer to perform the function annotation for new sequenced bio-sequences. Based on GO database and BLAST program, a novel method for the function annotation of new biological sequences is presented by using the variable-precision rough set theory. The proposed method is applied to the real data in GO database to examine its effectiveness. Numerical results show that the proposed method has better precision, recall-rate and harmonic mean value compared with existing methods.