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Special Issue "Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress 2.0"

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2023 | Viewed by 2747

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Prof. Dr. Emilia Apostolova

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Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: photosynthesis; abiotic stress and adaptation mechanisms in plants; signal molecules; organization of the photosynthetic apparatus
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Dear Colleagues,

The abiotic stress factors, limit plant growth and crop productivity. These factors alter morphological, physiological and biochemical processes of the plants, as their intensity, frequency and duration increase as a result of climate change. In recent years, extensive studies have been made to understand the effects and mechanism of tolerance of plants to environmental stressors, but the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. It is well known that plant species have different sensitivity to stress factors. For this reason, evaluating the impact of abiotic stress factors on the growth, physiology and biochemistry of the different plant species are of great importance. Having in mind, that photosynthesis is strongly affected by abiotic stress factors, it is very important to study their influence structure and functions of the photosynthetic apparatus.

This Special Issue aims to show the molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to various abiotic stressors, such as salinity, drought, temperature, ultraviolet radiation and heavy metal on the photosynthesis.

Scientists from all over the world are invited to submit original research and review articles on topics related to plant defense mechanisms.

Prof. Dr. Emilia Apostolova
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

abiotic stress
antioxidant activity
chlorophyll fluorescence
environmental pollution
photosynthesis
photosynthetic machinery
plant responses
plant tolerance
reactive oxygen species
thylakoid membranes
photosynthetic machinery
signal molecules

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Research

Open AccessArticle

High Daytime Temperature Responsive MicroRNA Profiles in Developing Grains of Rice Varieties with Contrasting Chalkiness

Charles A. Addo-Quaye

Andy Pereira

and

Ramanjulu Sunkar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411631 - 19 Jul 2023

Viewed by 550

Abstract

High temperature impairs starch biosynthesis in developing rice grains and thereby increases chalkiness, affecting the grain quality. Genome encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) fine-tune target transcript abundances in a spatio-temporal specific manner, and this mode of gene regulation is critical for a myriad of developmental processes as well as stress responses. However, the role of miRNAs in maintaining rice grain quality/chalkiness during high daytime temperature (HDT) stress is relatively unknown. To uncover the role of miRNAs in this process, we used five contrasting rice genotypes (low chalky lines Cyp, Ben, and KB and high chalky lines LaGrue and NB) and compared the miRNA profiles in the R6 stage caryopsis samples from plants subjected to prolonged HDT (from the onset of fertilization through R6 stage of caryopsis development). Our small RNA analysis has identified approximately 744 miRNAs that can be grouped into 291 families. Of these, 186 miRNAs belonging to 103 families are differentially regulated under HDT. Only two miRNAs, Osa-miR444f and Osa-miR1866-5p, were upregulated in all genotypes, implying that the regulations greatly varied between the genotypes. Furthermore, not even a single miRNA was commonly up/down regulated specifically in the three tolerant genotypes. However, three miRNAs (Osa-miR1866-3p, Osa-miR5150-3p and canH-miR9774a,b-3p) were commonly upregulated and onemiRNA (Osa-miR393b-5p) was commonly downregulated specifically in the sensitive genotypes (LaGrue and NB). These observations suggest that few similarities exist within the low chalky or high chalky genotypes, possibly due to high genetic variation. Among the five genotypes used, Cypress and LaGrue are genetically closely related, but exhibit contrasting chalkiness under HDT, and thus, a comparison between them is most relevant. This comparison revealed a general tendency for Cypress to display miRNA regulations that could decrease chalkiness under HDT compared with LaGrue. This study suggests that miRNAs could play an important role in maintaining grain quality in HDT-stressed rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Evolution Analysis of the CYP76 Subfamily in Rice (Oryza sativa)

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108522 - 10 May 2023

Viewed by 916

Abstract

The CYP76 subfamily, a member of the CYP superfamily, plays crucial roles in the biosynthesis of phytohormones in plants, involving biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, hormone signaling, and response to environmental stresses. Here, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the CYP76 subfamily in seven AA genome species: Oryza sativa ssp. japonica, Oryza sativa ssp. indica, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza meridionalis, Oryza barthii, and Oryza glumaepatula. These were identified and classified into three groups, and it was found that Group 1 contained the largest number of members. Analysis of cis-acting elements revealed a large number of elements related to jasmonic acid and light response. The gene duplication analysis revealed that the CYP76 subfamily expanded mainly in SD/WGD and tandem forms and underwent strong purifying selection during evolution. Expression pattern analysis of OsCYP76s in various developmental stages revealed that the majority of OsCYP76s exhibit relatively restricted expression patterns in leaves and roots. We further analyzed the expression of CYP76s in O. sativa, japonica, and O. sativa, indica under cold, flooding, drought, and salt abiotic stresses by qRT-PCR. We found that OsCYP76-11 showed a huge increase in relative expression after drought and salt stresses. After flooding stress, OsiCYP76-4 showed a greater increase in expression compared to other genes. CYP76 in japonica and indica showed different response patterns to the same abiotic stresses, revealing functional divergence in the gene family during evolution; these may be the key genes responsible for the differences in tolerance to indica japonica. Our results provide valuable insights into the functional diversity and evolutionary history of the CYP76 subfamily and pave the way for the development of new strategies for improving stress tolerance and agronomic traits in rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

Saline-Alkali Soil Property Improved by the Synergistic Effects of Priestia aryabhattai JL-5, Staphylococcus pseudoxylosus XW-4, Leymus chinensis and Soil Microbiota

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7737; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097737 - 23 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 942

Abstract

Two saline-alkali-tolerant bacterial strains, Priestia aryabhattai JL-5 and Staphylococcus pseudoxylosus XW-4, were isolated, with high capabilities of hydrolyzing phosphate and producing cellulase, respectively. The molecular mechanisms regulating the saline-alkali tolerance in the strain JL-5 were further investigated using transcriptome analysis. The contents of lactic acid and proline and the enzymatic activity of glutamine synthetase in the strain JL-5 were significantly increased. The properties of saline-alkali soils were significantly improved by the enhanced growth of the indicator plant Leymus chinensis under the combined applications of the strains JL-5 and XW-4 mixed with corn straw. The contents of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and proline of L. chinensis were significantly increased, and the content of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in the combined treatment of both bacterial strains. The contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and organic matters in the soil treated with both strains were significantly increased, as well as the diversity and abundance of the soil microbiota. Our study evidently demonstrated the synergistic effects of the strains JL-5 and XW-4, indicator plants and the local microbiota in terms of improving the saline-alkali soil properties, providing strong experimental evidence to support the commercial development of the combined application of both strains to improve the properties of saline-alkali soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress 2.0)

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