Integrative transcriptomic analysis reveals the molecular responses of tobacco to magnesium deficiency.

Introduction: Magnesium (Mg) is a crucial macronutrient for plants. Understanding the molecular responses of plants to different levels of Mg supply is important for improving cultivation practices and breeding new varieties with efficient Mg utilization.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis on tobacco ( L.

Integrative analysis of the transcriptome and proteome reveals the molecular responses of tobacco to boron deficiency.

Background: Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants. Inappropriate B supply detrimentally affects the productivity of numerous crops. Understanding of the molecular responses of plants to different B supply levels would be of significance in crop improvement and cultivation practices to deal with the problem.

Multiplex-genome-editing based rapid directional improvement of complex traits in rice.

Although thousands of genes have been identified or cloned in rice (Oryza sativa) in the last two decades, the majority of them have only been separately characterized in specific varieties or single-gene modified backgrounds, thus limiting their practical application. We developed an optimized multiplex genome editing (MGE) toolbox that can efficiently assemble and stably express up to twelve sgRNA targets in a single plant expression vector. In this study, we established the MGE-based Rapid Directional Improvement (MRDI) strategy for directional improvement of complex agronomic traits in one small-scale rice transformation.

Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis revealed the molecular regulation mechanisms of zinc homeostasis and antioxidant machinery in tobacco in response to different zinc supplies.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants. Adequate regulation of Zn uptake, transport and distribution, and adaptation to Zn-deficiency stress or Zn-excess toxicity are crucial for plant growth and development. However, little has been done to understand the molecular responses of plants toward different Zn supply levels.

De novo transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying the response to excess nitrogen in Azolla spp.

Phytoremediation potential of Azolla in removal of nitrogen from wastewater has been promising. However, little is known about the response of Azolla to high concentrations of nitrogen. In this study, the responses of four Azolla species to different concentrations of total nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 mg L were examined.

Overexpression of a methyl-CpG-binding protein gene OsMBD707 leads to larger tiller angles and reduced photoperiod sensitivity in rice.

Background: Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins play important roles in epigenetic gene regulation, and have diverse molecular, cellular, and biological functions in plants. MBD proteins have been functionally characterized in various plant species, including Arabidopsis, wheat, maize, and tomato. In rice, 17 sequences were bioinformatically predicted as putative MBD proteins.

Bulked Segregant Analysis Coupled with Whole-Genome Sequencing (BSA-Seq) Mapping Identifies a Novel Haplotype Conferring Basal Resistance to Rice Blast Disease.

Basal or partial resistance has been considered race-non-specific and broad-spectrum. Therefore, the identification of genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring basal resistance and germplasm containing them is of significance in breeding crops with durable resistance. In this study, we performed a bulked segregant analysis coupled with whole-genome sequencing (BSA-seq) to identify QTLs controlling basal resistance to blast disease in an F population derived from two rice varieties, 02428 and LiXinGeng (LXG), which differ significantly in basal resistance to rice blast.