Comparative transcriptomics analysis of tolerant and sensitive genotypes reveals genes involved in the response to cold stress in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.).

Bitter gourd is an economically important horticultural crop for its edible and medicinal value. However, the regulatory mechanisms of bitter gourd in response to cold stress are still poorly elucidated. In this study, phytohormone determination and comparative transcriptome analyses in XY (cold-tolerant) and QF (cold-sensitive) after low temperature treatment were conducted.

Study of the Relationship between Leaf Color Formation and Anthocyanin Metabolism among Different Purple Pakchoi Lines.

Purple pakchoi ( ssp. ) is particularly appreciated due to its high edible quality and ornamental value, but there are few studies on the underlying mechanisms of leaf color formation. To comprehensively assess the differences in purple formation in pakchoi, four lines of pakchoi with different purple leaves were used in this experiment to determine the pigment content and to investigate the distribution and components of anthocyanin using LCMS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) and leaf cross-sections.

AgNAC1, a celery transcription factor, related to regulation on lignin biosynthesis and salt tolerance.

The NAC transcription factor participates in various biotic and abiotic stress responses and plays a critical role in plant development. Lignin is a water-insoluble dietary fiber, but it is second only to cellulose in abundance. Celery is the main source of dietary fiber, but its quality and production are limited by various abiotic stresses.

Identification and Expression Analysis of GRAS Transcription Factors to Elucidate Candidate Genes Related to Stolons, Fruit Ripening and Abiotic Stresses in Woodland Strawberry ().

The cultivated strawberry (), an allo-octoploid with non-climacteric fleshy fruits, is a popular Rosaceae horticultural crop worldwide that is mainly propagated via stolons during cultivation. Woodland strawberry (), one of the four diploid progenitor species of cultivated strawberry, is widely used as a model plant in the study of Rosaceae fruit trees, non-climacteric fruits and stolons. One GRAS transcription factor has been shown to regulate stolon formation; the other GRAS proteins in woodland strawberry remain unknown.

A method for the production and expedient screening of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated non-transgenic mutant plants.

Developing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated non-transgenic mutants in asexually propagated perennial crop plants is challenging but highly desirable. Here, we report a highly useful method using an -mediated transient CRISPR/Cas9 gene expression system to create non-transgenic mutant plants without the need for sexual segregation. We have also developed a rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput mutant screening protocol based on Illumina sequencing followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis.

An AGAMOUS intron-driven cytotoxin leads to flowerless tobacco and produces no detrimental effects on vegetative growth of either tobacco or poplar.

Flowerless trait is highly desirable for poplar because it can prevent pollen- and seed-mediated transgene flow. We have isolated the second intron of PTAG2, an AGAMOUS (AG) orthologue from Populus trichocarpa. By fusing this intron sequence to a minimal 35S promoter sequence, we created two artificial promoters, fPTAG2I (forward orientation of the PTAG2 intron sequence) and rPTAG2I (reverse orientation of the PTAG2 intron sequence).

Changes of cytosine methylation induced by wide hybridization and allopolyploidy in Cucumis.

We previously demonstrated that allopolyploidization could induce phenotypic variations and genome changes in a newly synthesized allotetraploid in Cucumis. To explore the molecular involvement of epigenetic phenomena, we investigated cytosine methylation in Cucumis by using methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP). Results revealed a twofold difference in the level of cytosine methylation between the reciprocal F1 hybrids and the allotetraploid.

Cytological diploidization and rapid genome changes of the newly synthesized allotetraploids Cucumis x hytivus.

We used a newly synthesized allotetraploid between C. sativus (2n = 2x = 14, n gametic chromosome number, x haploid chromosome number) and C. hystrix (2n = 2x = 24) to study the genomic events in its early generations.