Gene Expression In Plants Research Articles

Микробная биофортификация злаковых культур: перспективы и текущее развитие

Hidden hunger is a significant social issue in numerous countries worldwide, causing the development of nutrition-related diseases among populations annually. Biofortification offers a sustainable solution as it combines methods of cross-breeding, genetic engineering, agriculture, and microbiology. The authors reviewed international studies in the field of microbial biofortification in order to assess the microbial potential to enh ance the essential element content in grain crops. The review featured relevant scientific articles published by foreign experts in Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar in 1984–2024. The keywords included biofortification, wheat, rice, oats, growth stimulation, antagonism, and phytopathogen. The sources were processed in Zotero and VOSviewer. Nitrogen fixation and nutrient solubilization are the main mechanisms of microbial biofortification. Solubilization occurs as a synthesis of organic and inorganic acids, protons, siderophores, extracellular enzymes, and other secondary metabolites. Microorganisms can improve the expression of plant genes in terms of absorption and nutrient accumulation. They also affect root systems, facilitating the extraction of nutrients from the soil. The authors summarized laboratory and field studies on microbial biofortification of rice, wheat, and barley with iron, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Biofortified growth-promoting microorganisms are a sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective approach to food security and hidden hunger issues. The review offers relevant information that can be used to develop new microbial preparations for the domestic agriculture.

Comparative transcriptome profiling reveals distinct regulatory responses of secondary defensive metabolism in Datura species (Solanaceae) under plant development and herbivory-mediated stress.

Differential expression of genes is key to mediating developmental and stress-related plant responses. Here, we addressed the regulation of plant metabolic responses to biotic stress and the developmental variation of defense-related genes in four species of the genus Datura with variable patterns of metabolite accumulation and development. We combine transcriptome profiling with phylogenomic techniques to analyze gene expression and coexpression in plants subjected to damage by a specialist folivore insect. We found (1) common overall gene expression in species of similar chemical profiles, (2) species-specific responses of proteins involved in specialized metabolism, characterized by constant levels of gene expression coupled with transcriptional rearrangement, and (3) induction of transcriptional rearrangement of major terpene and tropane alkaloid genes upon herbivory. Our results indicate differential modulation of terpene and tropane metabolism linked to jasmonate signaling and specific transcription factors to regulate developmental variation and stress programs, and suggest plastic adaptive responses to cope with herbivory. The transcriptional profiles of specialized metabolism shown here reveal complex genetic control of plant metabolism and contribute to understanding the molecular basis of adaptations and the physiological variation of significant ecological traits.

Comparative analysis of <i>cis</i>-regulatory elements associated with salinity and drought tolerance in rice (<i>oryza sativa l.</i>) using <i>in silico</i> analysis

The critical roles of cis-regulatory elements (cREs) in the regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stress were reported in previous studies. Although transcription factor families to regulate gene expression in plants are well documented, there is a limited number of cREs related to salinity and drought tolerance in rice to be identified. Therefore, in this study, a comparative analysis and characterization of cREs associated with specific drought and salinity tolerance genes of rice, namely OsNHX1, OsNHX5, OsHKT1;1, OsHKT2;1, and OsSOS1, was performed using the PLACE and PlantPAN 3.0 databases, along with in silico methods. Several cis-elements within the core promoter region, including TATA-box, CAAT-box, G-box, DPE, and Y-Patch were identified. Additionally, eight other cis elements: ABRE, MYBRS, MYCRS, NAC-binding site, ACGTATERD1, GT1GMSCAM4, W-box, and DRE, were discovered and suggested to be potentially involved in drought and salinity tolerance in rice. Comparative analysis revealed that OsNHX1 and OsHKT1;1 exhibit a higher abundance of cREs compared to the other genes studied. The presence of an increased number of cREs suggests a more complex regulatory network, potentially enhancing the ability of these genes to cope with environmental stressors and fine-tune their responses to changing conditions. Furthermore, understanding the distribution and diversity of cREs across different genes can offer practical implications for genetic engineering and crop improvement strategies. Genes with desirable regulatory profiles, especially those associated with specific stress tolerances, may be prime candidates for genetic manipulation.

Coexpression enhances cross-species integration of single-cell RNA sequencing across diverse plant species

Single-cell RNA sequencing is increasingly used to investigate cross-species differences driven by gene expression and cell-type composition in plants. However, the frequent expansion of plant gene families due to whole-genome duplications makes identification of one-to-one orthologues difficult, complicating integration. Here we demonstrate that coexpression can be used to trim many-to-many orthology families down to identify one-to-one gene pairs with proxy expression profiles, improving the performance of traditional integration methods and reducing barriers to integration across a diverse array of plant species.

A potyvirus provides an efficient viral vector for gene expression and functional studies in Asteraceae plants.

Plant virus-derived vectors are rapid and cost-effective for protein expression and gene functional studies in plants, particularly for species that are difficult to genetically transform. However, few efficient viral vectors are available for functional studies in Asteraceae plants. Here, we identified a potyvirus named zinnia mild mottle virus (ZiMMV) from common zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) through next-generation sequencing. Using a yeast homologous recombination strategy, we established a full-length infectious cDNA clone of ZiMMV under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Furthermore, we developed an efficient expression vector based on ZiMMV for the persistent and abundant expression of foreign proteins in the leaf, stem, root, and flower tissues with mild symptoms during viral infection in common zinnia. We showed that the ZiMMV-based vector can express ZeMYB9, which encodes a transcript factor inducing dark red speckles in leaves and flowers. Additionally, the expression of a gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis gene from the ZiMMV vector substantially accelerated plant height growth, offering a rapid and cost-effective method. In summary, our work provides a powerful tool for gene expression, functional studies, and genetic improvement of horticultural traits in Asteraceae plant hosts.

Increase Expression of HBsAg in Transgenic Potato Plants and Challenges of Vaccine Production in Transgenic Plants

: The hepatitis B virus is a dangerous infectious agent, with an estimated 300 million carriers worldwide. Therefore, developing effective vaccine production methods is essential. One such method involves the use of transgenic plants. Several factors influence foreign gene expression in transgenic plants, including the type of genes, their chromosomal location, and the promoter used. Based on these factors, various expression cassettes can be designed for transgenic plants. In this study, we designed an expression cassette for transgenic potato plants. Promoters play a crucial role, as some are tissue-specific while others are inducible. Additionally, certain elements can enhance or silence gene expression in transgenic plants. Enhancer sequences derived from plant viruses are also utilized. To increase the expression level of HBsAg in transgenic potato plants, the tobacco etch virus (TEV) 5' untranslated region and the Patatin promoter were employed. The results demonstrated that in the highest-producing transgenic plant, the expression level of HBsAg increased threefold when both patatin and TEV were used together, compared to plants containing only the patatin promoter without TEV. Furthermore, a comparison with pCaMV combined with TEV revealed that the use of patatin and TEV resulted in a 4-5 times higher expression level.

Sustainable Remediation of Soil and Water Utilizing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: A Review.

Phytoremediation is recognized as an environmentally friendly technique. However, the low biomass production, high time consumption, and exposure to combined toxic stress from contaminated media weaken the potential of phytoremediation. As a class of plant-beneficial microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can promote plant nutrient uptake, improve plant habitats, and regulate abiotic stresses, and the utilization of AMF to enhance phytoremediation is considered to be an effective way to enhance the remediation efficiency. In this paper, we searched 520 papers published during the period 2000-2023 on the topic of AMF-assisted phytoremediation from the Web of Science core collection database. We analyzed the author co-authorship, country, and keyword co-occurrence clustering by VOSviewer. We summarized the advances in research and proposed prospective studies on AMF-assisted phytoremediation. The bibliometric analyses showed that heavy metal, soil, stress tolerance, and growth promotion were the research hotspots. AMF-plant symbiosis has been used in water and soil in different scenarios for the remediation of heavy metal pollution and organic pollution, among others. The potential mechanisms of pollutant removal in which AMF are directly involved through hyphal exudate binding and stabilization, accumulation in their structures, and nutrient exchange with the host plant are highlighted. In addition, the tolerance strategies of AMF through influencing the subcellular distribution of contaminants as well as chemical form shifts, activation of plant defenses, and induction of differential gene expression in plants are presented. We proposed that future research should screen anaerobic-tolerant AMF strains, examine bacterial interactions with AMF, and utilize AMF for combined pollutant removal to accelerate practical applications.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolomics analyses revealed key functional genes in Canna indica under Cr stress

Chromium (Cr) can interfere with plant gene expression, change the content of metabolites and affect plant growth. However, the molecular response mechanism of wetland plants at different time sequences under Cr stress has yet to be fully understood. In this study, Canna indica was exposed to 100 mg/kg Cr-contaminated soil for 0, 7, 14, and 21 days and analyzed using untargeted metabolomics (LC–MS) and transcriptomics. The results showed that Cr stress increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD), the contents of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxygen free radical (ROS), and inhibited the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments, thus leading to changes in plant growth and biomass. Metabonomics analysis showed that Cr stress mainly affected 12 metabolic pathways, involving 38 differentially expressed metabolites, including amino acids, phenylpropane, and flavonoids. By transcriptome analysis, a total of 16,247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 7710 up-regulated genes, and 8537 down-regulated genes) were identified, among which, at the early stage of stress (Cr contaminate seven days), C. indica responds to Cr toxicity mainly through galactose, starch and sucrose metabolism. With the extension of stress time, plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signaling pathway in C. indica in the Cr14 (Cr contaminate 14 days) treatment group were significantly affected. Finally, in the late stage of stress (Cr21), C. indica co-defuses Cr toxicity by activating its Glutathione metabolism and Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. In conclusion, this study revealed the molecular response mechanism of C. indica to Cr stress at different times through multi-omics methods.

Melatonin As a Protective Agent Against Environmental Stresses: A Review into Its Molecular Regulation in Plants

Understanding the impact of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) on plant gene expression is crucial for unlocking its full potential as a tool for crop improvement and stress tolerance. Melatonin has emerged to have several influences on the transcriptional activity of numerous genes, helping to orchestrate plant responses to environmental cues. Furthermore, it has been shown that melatonin signaling pathways control downstream gene expression to ensure proper plant growth and development. Therefore, clearing out the complex interaction between melatonin and plant gene expression has enormous potential to further our knowledge of plant biology and develop novel farming techniques. In this review, we have gathered the recent studies that elucidate the role of applied melatonin in regulating stress-responsive genes under various abiotic stresses.

Designing a synthetic moss genome using GenoDesigner.

The de novo synthesis of genomes has made unprecedented progress and achieved milestones, particularly in bacteria and yeast. However, the process of synthesizing a multicellular plant genome has not progressed at the same pace, due to the complexity of multicellular plant genomes, technical difficulties associated with large genome size and structure, and the intricacies of gene regulation and expression in plants. Here we outline the bottom-up design principles for the de novo synthesis of the Physcomitrium patens (that is, earthmoss) genome. To facilitate international collaboration and accessibility, we have developed and launched a public online design platform called GenoDesigner. This platform offers an intuitive graphical interface enabling users to efficiently manipulate extensive genome sequences, even up to the gigabase level. This tool is poised to greatly expedite the synthesis of the P. patens genome, offering an essential reference and roadmap for the synthesis of plant genomes.

Silver nanoparticles alleviate the impact of soil contamination and wastewater irrigation on rosemary plants: modulating of gene expression and secondary metabolites

A number of obstacles, including irrigated wastewater and soil contamination, arise in the growth of aromatic and medicinal plants. This study aimed to reduce the effects of contaminated soil and wastewater irrigation on rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) plants by using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced by the ginger (Zingiber officinale) plant extract. The AgNPs were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR). The experimental design involved three distinct groups of plants: one group was irrigated with regular tap water, another group was rooted in soil contaminated by sewage-wastewater and irrigated with processed wastewater, and the final group consisted of plants grown in wastewater-contaminated soil, irrigated with processed wastewater, and sprayed with 200 mM l−1 AgNPs. The study also examined the impact of different treatments on gene expression and secondary metabolite levels in rosemary plants. According to HPLC investigations, nineteen phenol compounds and flavonoids were identified in a methanolic extract of rosemary that was grown in contaminated soil, irrigated with wastewater, and sprayed with AgNPs. Plants treated with wastewater and nanoparticles produced quantities of secondary compounds, including resvertol, vanillic acid, and gallic acid with 1.11, 0.15, and 0.01 mg g−1 respectively, which are all regarded as significant antioxidants employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Hexokinase synthase (HK), geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS), and linalool synthase (LS) coding genes were found to have highly expressed expressions when plants grown in contaminated soil, wastewater-irrigated plants, and nanoparticle-sprayed plants, respectively, at a 23.2- and 5.54-fold level, where the HK gene was 8.7 times more strongly expressed. Conversely, plants grown in contaminated soil and irrigated with treated wastewater showed downregulation of these genes. Conclusively, using silver nanoparticles significantly reduced the influence of wastewater pollution on secondary metabolites in rosemary plants, which was increased by the gene expression results and was completely consistent with HPLC analysis.

Streptomyces pratensis S10 inhibits spread of Fusarium graminearum invasive hyphae and toxisome formation in wheat plants.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, leads to severe economic losses worldwide. Effective management measures for controlling FHB are not available, due to a lack of resistant cultivars. Currently, the utilization of biological control is a promising approach that can be used to help manage FHB. Previous studies have confirmed that Streptomyces pratensis S10 harbors excellent inhibitory effects on F. graminearum. However, there is no information regarding invasive hyphae of F. graminearum are inhibited by S10. Thus, we investigated the effects of S10 on F. graminearum strain PH-1 hyphae extension, toxisome formation, and TRI5 gene expression on wheat plants via microscopic observation. The results showed that S10 effectively inhibited spread of F. graminearum hyphae along the rachis, restricting the infection of neighboring florets via the phloem. In the presence of S10, the hyphal growth is impeded by formation of dense cell wall thickenings in the rachis internode surrounding the F. graminearum infection site, avoiding cell plasmolysis and collapse. We further demonstrated that S10 largely prevented cell-to-cell invasion of fungal hyphae inside wheat coleoptiles using a constitutively green fluorescence protein-expressing F. graminearum strain, PH-1. Importantly, S. pratensis S10 inhibited toxisome formation and TRI5 gene expression in wheat plants during infection. Collectively, these findings indicated that S. pratensis S10 prevents spread of F. graminearum invasive hyphae via the rachis.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of protein arginine methyltransferase and JmjC domain-containing family in apple.

Histone methylation is an important type of histone modification that regulates gene expression in plants. In this study, we identified 14 arginine methylation-related genes (Protein Arginine Methyltransferase, MdPRMT) and 32 demethylation-related genes (JmjC Domain-Containing Family, MdJMJ) in apple. Furthermore, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship, chromosome distribution, gene structure, motif analysis, promoter sequence analysis, and expression patterns of MdPRMT and MdJMJ genes. Homology analysis showed a high degree of conservation and homology between PRMT and JMJ genes in Arabidopsis and apple. We identified the types of duplicated genes in the MdJMJ and MdPRMT gene families, found a large number of whole-genome duplicates (WGD) gene pairs and a small number of tandem duplicates (TD) pairs, transposed duplication (TRD) gene pairs as well as proximal duplicates (PD) pairs, and discussed the possible evolutionary pathways of the gene families from the perspective of duplicated genes. Homology analysis showed a high degree of conservation and homology between PRMT and JMJ genes in Arabidopsis and apple. In addition, the promoter regions of MdPRMT and MdJMJ contain numerous cis-acting elements involved in plant growth and development, hormone response, and stress responses. Based on the transcriptional profiles of MdPRMT and MdJMJ in different tissues and developmental stages, it was found that MdPRMT and MdJMJ may play multiple roles in apple growth and development, for example, MdJMJ21 may be involved in the regulation of apple endosperm formation. MdPRMT and MdJMJ exhibit different expression patterns in response to hormone signaling in apple, MdJMJ3, MdJMJ18, MdJMJ30, MdPRMT2, MdPRMT13, and MdPRMT14 may play roles in apple response to drought stress, while the expression of MdJMJ13, MdPRMT3, MdPRMT4, and MdPRMT6 is affected by cold stress. Our study provides a foundation for determining the functional roles of MdPRMT and MdJMJ genes in apple.

In-locus gene silencing in plants using genome editing.

Gene silencing is crucial in crop breeding for desired trait development. RNA interference (RNAi) has been used widely but is limited by ectopic expression of transgenes and genetic instability. Introducing an upstream start codon (uATG) into the 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) of a target gene may 'silence' the target gene by inhibiting protein translation from the primary start codon (pATG). Here, we report an efficient gene silencing method by introducing a tailor-designed uATG-containing element (ATGE) into the 5'UTR of genes in plants, occupying the original start site to act as a new pATG. Using base editing to introduce new uATGs failed to silence two of the tested three rice genes, indicating complex regulatory mechanisms. Precisely inserting an ATGE adjacent to pATG achieved significant target protein downregulation. Through extensive optimization, we demonstrated this strategy substantially and consistently downregulated target protein expression. By designing a bidirectional multifunctional ATGE4, we enabled tunable knockdown from 19% to 89% and observed expected phenotypes. Introducing ATGE into Waxy, which regulates starch synthesis, generated grains with lower amylose, revealing the value for crop breeding. Together, we have developed a programmable and robust method to knock down gene expression in plants, with potential for biological mechanism exploration and crop enhancement.

CRISPRi-based circuits to control gene expression in plants.

The construction of synthetic gene circuits in plants has been limited by a lack of orthogonal and modular parts. Here, we implement a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) interference (CRISPRi)-based reversible gene circuit platform in plants. We create a toolkit of engineered repressible promoters of different strengths and construct NOT and NOR gates in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. We determine the optimal processing system to express single guide RNAs from RNA Pol II promoters to introduce NOR gate programmability for interfacing with host regulatory sequences. The performance of a NOR gate in stably transformed Arabidopsis plants demonstrates the system's programmability and reversibility in a complex multicellular organism. Furthermore, cross-species activity of CRISPRi-based logic gates is shown in Physcomitrium patens, Triticum aestivum and Brassica napus protoplasts. Layering multiple NOR gates together creates OR, NIMPLY and AND logic functions, highlighting the modularity of our system. Our CRISPRi circuits are orthogonal, compact, reversible, programmable and modular and provide a platform for sophisticated spatiotemporal control of gene expression in plants.

The differential expression of the P5CR and αTPS6 genes in cowpea plants increases tolerance to water-deficit and high temperatures

Plants exposed to adverse environmental conditions develop molecular mechanisms of adaptation and/or defense, the osmoprotectors, which function as compatible solutes and contribute to tolerance via prevention systems and protection against cellular damage caused by these abiotic stresses. This study aimed to identify and characterize the osmoprotectors proline and trehalose in cowpea plants cv. Carijó under controlled conditions of water-deficit and heat stress based on the IPCC scenario of 4.8 °C increase in temperature, evaluating their structure and function through computational methods, as well as gene expression by RT-qPCR. The experimental assays were carried out in growth chambers under controlled conditions with different levels of soil water availability, phenological phases and temperature regimes. From the in silico analyses, ten TPS genes and one P5CR gene were identified in Vigna unguiculata, and these were named according to their chromosomal location. The VuP5CR and VuTPS genes play roles in hormone pathway signaling and in the response to light and biotic and abiotic stresses. The genes P5CR (proline) and αTPS6 (trehalose) were induced with increased temperature and lower water availability in the vegetative phase of cowpeas. In addition, P5CR also showed induction with 50% water availability at high temperatures. In the pod filling phase, the P5CR and αTPS6 genes were repressed with water availability of 75%, while only the P5CR gene was induced when water availability was reduced to 25% under heat stress. P5CR and TPS6 genes were induced in cowpea cv. Carijó in response to associated abiotic stresses (water-deficit and high temperatures), which suggests their participation in the mechanisms of adaptation of the species in adverse environmental conditions.

Endophytes Alleviate Drought-Derived Oxidative Damage in Achnatherum inebrians Plants Through Increasing Antioxidants and Regulating Host Stress Responses

Endophytes generally increase antioxidant contents of plants subjected to environmental stresses. However, the mechanisms by which endophytes alter the accumulation of antioxidants in plant tissues are not entirely clear. We hypothesized that, in stress situations, endophytes would simultaneously reduce oxidative damage and increase antioxidant contents of plants and that the accumulation of antioxidants would be a consequence of the endophyte ability to regulate the expression of plant antioxidant genes. We investigated the effects of the fungal endophyte Epichloë gansuensis (C.J. Li & Nan) on oxidative damage, antioxidant contents, and expression of representative genes associated with antioxidant pathways in Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng plants subjected to low (15%) and high (60%) soil moisture conditions. Gene expression levels were measured using RNA-seq. As expected, the endophyte reduced the oxidative damage by 17.55% and increased the antioxidant contents by 53.14% (on average) in plants subjected to low soil moisture. In line with the accumulation of antioxidants in plant tissues, the endophyte increased the expression of most plant genes associated with the biosynthesis of antioxidants (e.g., MIOX, crtB, gpx) while it reduced the expression of plant genes related to the metabolization of antioxidants (e.g., GST, PRODH, ALDH). Our findings suggest that endophyte ability of increasing antioxidant contents in plants may reduce the oxidative damage caused by stresses and that the fungal regulation of plant antioxidants would partly explain the accumulation of these compounds in plant tissues.

Biocontrol agents modulate phyllosphere microbiota interactions against pathogen Pseudomonas syringae

The pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, responsible for a variety of diseases, poses a considerable threat to global crop yields. Emerging biocontrol strategies employ antagonistic microorganisms, utilizing phyllosphere microecology and systemic resistance to combat this disease. However, the interactions between phyllosphere microbial dynamics and the activation of the plant defense system remain poorly understood. Here we show significant alterations in phyllosphere microbiota structure and plant gene expression following the application of biocontrol agents. We reveal enhanced collaboration and integration of Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium within the microbial co-occurrence network. Notably, Sphingomonas inhibits P. syringae by disrupting pathogen chemotaxis and virulence. Additionally, both Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium activate plant defenses by upregulating pathogenesis-related gene expression through abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonate acid, and salicylic acid signaling pathways. Our results highlighted that biocontrol agents promote plant health, from reconstructing beneficial microbial consortia to enhancing plant immunity. The findings enrich our comprehension of the synergistic interplays between phyllosphere microbiota and plant immunity, offering potential enhancements in biocontrol efficacy for crop protection.

Mitochondrial RNA Helicases: Key Players in the Regulation of Plant Organellar RNA Splicing and Gene Expression.

Mitochondrial genomes of land plants are large and exhibit a complex mode of gene organization and expression, particularly at the post-transcriptional level. The primary organellar transcripts in plants undergo extensive maturation steps, including endo- and/or exo-nucleolytic cleavage, RNA-base modifications (mostly C-to-U deaminations) and both 'cis'- and 'trans'-splicing events. These essential processing steps rely on the activities of a large set of nuclear-encoded factors. RNA helicases serve as key players in RNA metabolism, participating in the regulation of transcription, mRNA processing and translation. They unwind RNA secondary structures and facilitate the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes crucial for various stages of gene expression. Furthermore, RNA helicases are involved in RNA metabolism by modulating pre-mRNA maturation, transport and degradation processes. These enzymes are, therefore, pivotal in RNA quality-control mechanisms, ensuring the fidelity and efficiency of RNA processing and turnover in plant mitochondria. This review summarizes the significant roles played by helicases in regulating the highly dynamic processes of mitochondrial transcription, RNA processing and translation in plants. We further discuss recent advancements in understanding how dysregulation of mitochondrial RNA helicases affects the splicing of organellar genes, leading to respiratory dysfunctions, and consequently, altered growth, development and physiology of land plants.

Enhancing plant resistance to biotic stresses through rhizobacteria for sustainable agriculture

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a crucial role in the enhancement of plant growth. These microorganisms inhabit plant roots and positively influence plant growth through various mechanisms. PGPR facilitate nutrient absorption, combat pathogens, and regulate plant hormone levels. Their impact is achieved through direct actions such as hormone production, enhanced iron uptake via siderophores, phosphate solubilization, and emission of volatile compounds that affect plant signaling and metabolism. In addition, PGPR interactions with rhizosphere microorganisms and the soil indirectly improve plant growth. Numerous biotic stressors affect plant PGPR. The interaction between plants and microorganisms boosts the host resistance to biotic stress. This interaction also regulates the rhizosphere soil by converting organic compounds into plant-absorbable forms, increasing molecule mobilization, and supplying amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, metabolites, and phytohormones to the host plants. In instances where plants do not secrete lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, or terpenoids during these interactions, microorganisms contribute these compounds to plants. Investigating these mechanisms, along with changes in gene expression and receptor-mediated signaling in plants, is vital. Utilization of microbial sources as alternatives to conventional agricultural methods is a promising approach. Incorporation of these sources can enhance plant production, quality, growth, and yield.