Floral Organ Development Research Articles

CmCYC2-like transcription factors may interact with each other or bind to the promoter to regulate floral symmetry development in Chrysanthemum morifolium.

The complex capitulum of Chrysanthemum morifolium is often comprised of bilaterally symmetrical ray florets and radially symmetrical disc florets. The TCP transcription factor clade CYCLOIDEA2 (CYC2) appears to play a vital role in determining floral symmetry and in regulating floral organ development in Asteraceae. Our previous study identified six CmCYC2 genes from chrysanthemum and showed that CmCYC2c participated in the regulation of ray floret identity. However, the functions of other CmCYC2 genes and the underlying molecular mechanism of CmCYC2-mediated floral development regulation in chrysanthemums have not been elucidated. In this study, we analysed the function of CmCYC2 genes by ectopic expression of CmCYC2 in Arabidopsis. Then, we examined the protein-protein interaction using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Finally, we analysed the protein-DNA interaction using yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase reporter assays. We found that ectopic expression of CmCYC2 genes in the Arabidopsis tcp1 mutant changed its floral symmetry and flowering time. Y2H and BiFC assays confirmed three pairs of interactions between CmCYC2 proteins, that is, CmCYC2b-CmCYC2d, CmCYC2b-CmCYC2e and CmCYC2c-CmCYC2d, suggesting that heterodimeric complexes may form between CmCYC2 proteins to increase their functional specificity. The results of Y1H and dual-luciferase reporter assays indicate that CmCYC2c can bind to the promoter of ClCYC2f. Our findings provided clues that CmCYC2-like transcription factors may interact with each other or bind to the promoter to regulate floral symmetry development in C. morifolium. KEY MESSAGE: CmCYC2-like transcription factors may interact with each other or bind to the promoter to regulate floral symmetry development in Chrysanthemum morifolium.

MiR156b from Soybean CMS Line Modulates Floral Organ Development

The miR156 and plant specific transcription factor SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) are known for their function regulating plant growth and development. In this study, we identified 20 GmSPLs which are targeted by gma-miR156b via plant small RNA target and degradome analysis. And we found high transcript levels of gma-miR156b and its targeted GmSPLs in the flower of soybean cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line and its maintainer. The gma-miR156b direct cleavage of GmSPL2b and GmSPL9b, and have opposite expression levels during early flower buds development. We observed a high expression level of GUS protein in the anthers of the line with pgma-MIR156b::GUS reporter. Over-expression of the gma-miR156b precursor in Arabidopsis inhibited floral organ development, including reduced anther size and the amount of pollen grains per anther etc. Like miR156-targeted SPL genes, non-targeted GmSPL8s were also down-regulated in early flower bud development of soybean CMS line compared with its maintainer line, which might act in concert with miR156-targeted SPL genes to participate in the floral organ development. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) suggested that miR156/SPL modulates floral organ development by regulating the expression of LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN22 (LBD22), LBD36, AGAMOUS-LIKE30 (AGL30) and AGL104. Our findings will facilitate understanding of the biological functions of miR156/SPL in floral organ development of soybean CMS.

ATP binding cassette transporters ABCG1 and ABCG16 affect reproductive development via auxin signalling in Arabidopsis.

Angiosperm reproductive development is a complex event that includes floral organ development, male and female gametophyte formation and interaction between the male and female reproductive organs for successful fertilization. Previous studies have revealed the redundant function of ATP binding cassette subfamily G (ABCG) transporters ABCG1 and ABCG16 in pollen development, but whether they are involved in other reproductive processes is unknown. Here we show that ABCG1 and ABCG16 were not only expressed in anthers and stamen filaments but also enriched in pistil tissues, including the stigma, style, transmitting tract and ovule. We further demonstrated that pistil-expressed ABCG1 and ABCG16 promoted rapid pollen tube growth through their effects on auxin distribution and auxin flow in the pistil. Moreover, disrupted auxin homeostasis in stamen filaments was associated with defective filament elongation. Our work reveals the key functions of ABCG1 and ABCG16 in reproductive development and provides clues for identifying ABCG1 and ABCG16 substrates in Arabidopsis.

The MADS-Box Gene CsSHP Participates in Fruit Maturation and Floral Organ Development in Cucumber.

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop bearing fleshy pepo fruit harvested immature. Fruits left unpicked in time during summer production, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions during post-harvest shelf, will cause cucumber fruits to turn yellow and ripen, and thus impair the market value. Identification of maturity-related genes is of great agricultural and economic importance for cucumber production. Here, we isolated and characterized a MADS-box gene, Cucumis sativus SHATTERPROOF (CsSHP) in cucumber. Expression analysis indicated that CsSHP was specifically enriched in reproductive organs including stamens and carpels. Ectopic expression of CsSHP was unable to rescue the indehiscence silique phenotype of shp1 shp2 mutant plant in Arabidopsis. Instead, overexpression of CsSHP resulted in early flowering, precocious phenotypes, and capelloid organs in wild-type Arabidopsis. Biochemical analysis indicated that CsSHP directly interacted with cucumber SEPALLATA (SEP) proteins. CsSHP expression increased significantly during the yellowing stage of cucumber ripening, and was induced by exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA). Therefore, CsSHP may participate in fruit maturation through the ABA pathway and floral organ specification via interaction with CsSEPs to form protein complex in cucumber.

PINOID regulates floral organ development by modulating auxin transport and interacts with MADS16 in rice.

SummaryIn rice (Oryza sativa L.), floral organ development is an important trait. Although a role for PINOID in regulating floral organ development was reported recently, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we isolated and characterized an abnormal floral organ mutant and mapped the causative gene through an improved MutMap method. Molecular study revealed that the observed phenotype is caused by a point mutation in OsPINOID (OsPID) gene; therefore, we named the mutation as ospid‐4. Our data demonstrate that OsPID interacts with OsPIN1a and OsPIN1b to regulate polar auxin transport as shown previously. Additionally, OsPID also interacts with OsMADS16 to regulate transcription during floral organ development in rice. Together, we propose a model that OsPID regulates floral organ development by modulating auxin polar transport and interaction with OsMADS16 and/or LAX1 in rice. These results provide a novel insight into the role of OsPID in regulating floral organ development of rice, especially in stigma development, which would be useful for genetic improvement of high‐yield breeding of rice.

Jasmonic acid signaling and its research progress in woody plants

As an important plant endogenous hormone, jasmonic acids are widely involved in many biological processes, such as regulating plant growth and development, defense response, flowering time. Moreover, many studies have shown that JAs regulates fruit quality and metabolite content. This paper summarized the effects of jasmonic acid signal on stress response, flowering time regulation, floral organ development, color quality and metabolic components of plants, expounded the latest research progress of jasmonic acid signal in plants, especially in woody plants. We proposed that the study of jasmonic acid signaling should be biased towards economic plants, expanding screening of interaction factors, taking the differences of different genotypes and multiple biological pathways into account in order to fully reveal the diversity of jasmonate signal regulation pathway and the complexity of transduction mechanism, and explore its potential function in forest.

Floral organ development goes live.

The chance to watch floral organs develop live is not to be missed! Here, we outline reasons why quantitative, live-cell imaging is an important approach to study floral morphogenesis, and provide a basic workflow of how to get started. We highlight key advances in morphodynamics of lateral organ development, and discuss recent work that uses live confocal imaging to address the regulation of floral organ number, its robustness, and patterning mechanisms that exploit stochasticity.

Cloning and functional characterization of a novel BpSEP4 gene from Betula platyphylla Suk.

SEPALLATA (SEP) genes, members of a family of MADS-box transcription factors, have essential roles in floral organ development and flowering time. In this study, a novel SEP gene, BpSEP4, was identified from Betula platyphylla Suk. The full-length BpSEP4 cDNA was 928 bp, and it contained highly conserved MADS and K domains characteristic of the SEP subfamily. Subcellular location analysis demonstrated that BpSEP4 localized in the nucleus. qRT-PCR analysis showed that BpSEP4 expression was highest in reproductive organs, where it played an essential role in inflorescence development. The ectopic expression of BpSEP4 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused early flowering and aberrant floral organ development. Moreover, delayed flower senescence and abscission were also observed in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Further studies demonstrated that the early-flowering phenotype in 35S::BpSEP4 transgenic plants was caused by changes in the expression of flowering time genes and flower meristem identity genes, including CO, FT, SOC1, and TFL1. These results indicate that BpSEP4 is a SEP ortholog that may be involved in controlling flowering time and floral development.

Offspring toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Arabidopsis thaliana flowering and floral development

Many studies have considered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) cytotoxicity to mammalian and human cell lines and plant growth. However, only few studies considered toxic effects of AgNPs on plant offspring, especially on flowering. Arabidopsis thaliana was treated with 12.5 mg/kg AgNPs employing parental-(P-AgNPs) and offspring-generation (O-AgNPs) exposure to study the effects of AgNPs on flowering and floral development. Exposure to P-AgNPs was found to significantly decrease petal and pollen viability and subsequently reduced pod production. The inhibition of A. thaliana vegetative growth caused by P-AgNPs exposure was transferred to offspring and even became more severe in the O-AgNPs group. Further, the transcription of genes related to flowering and floral organ development in P-AgNPs and O-Con plants was downregulated by approximately 10–40% compared to the transcription in P-Con plants and showed a stronger decrease in the O-AgNPs group to 30–50% of that in the P-AgNPs group. This resulted in a delay in flowering of 4, 3 and 8 days in P-AgNPs, O-Con and O-AgNPs plants, respectively. Our research shows that the negative effects on floral development can be transferred to the offspring in A. thaliana, which may have significant implications with regard to the risks posed by NPs to food safety and security.

A gain-of-function mutation in Brassinosteroid-insensitive 2 alters Arabidopsis floral organ development by altering auxin levels.

Auxin can alter the fertility of bin2-1 plants and depends on the expression of SHY2. Brassinosteroids (BRs) play important roles in plant growth and developmental processes. By systematically evaluating the phenotypes of BR biosynthesis and BR signaling mutants, researchers have reported that BRs positively regulate floral development. In this study, we found that brassinosteroid-insensitive 2 (bin2-1) and short-hypocotyl 2 (shy2-2) mutants exhibited significantly reduced fertility. These mutants had short inflorescences, decreased floral organ length (short petals, stamens, carpels, and stigmas), and short siliques. Exogenous auxin applications could partially rescue the shortened length of the floral organs and siliques of the bin2-1 mutants. Additional experiments revealed that a lack of SHY2 activity increased the fertility of the bin2-1 mutants. A search for downstream affected genes revealed that auxin influences the expression of ARFs and PINs in the bin2-1 mutants, suggesting that auxin plays a major role in the regulation of bin2-1 plant fertility. Thus, BIN2 plays a role in fertility by affecting auxin levels, mainly by altering the expression of SHY2.

POLTERGEIST and POLTERGEIST-LIKE1 are essential for the maintenance of post-embryonic shoot and root apical meristems as revealed by a partial loss-of-function mutant allele of pll1 in Arabidopsis.

POLTERGEIST (POL) and POL-LIKE1 (PLL1) encoding related protein phosphatase 2Cs are essential for the establishment of both shoot and root meristems during embryogenesis. As the strong pol pll1 are seedling-lethal due to the lack of hypocotyl vasculature, the roles of POL/PLL1 for the post-embryonic development is difficult to be assessed. To prepare a weak pol pll1 double mutant that are able to produce post-embryonic organs. Several T-DNA insertion mutants of pll1 were crossed to pol-6 for the preparation of weak pol pll1. To understand the epistatic interactions between POL/PLL1 and CLAVATAs, the phenotypes of clvs pol pll1 were assessed and the expressionpatterns of stem cell markers were examined in pol pll1. POLpro:PLL1-GFP expression was examined during the embryogenesis with confocal microscopy. We isolated a pll1-3 (S544N)allele and prepared a weak pol-6 pll1-3. About 5% of pol-6 pll1-3 seedlings continued the post-embryonic development displaying short roots with reduced root meristem, wuschel-like adventitious phyllotaxis, and defective flowers lacking carpel. The clv1, clv2, and clv3 phenotypes led by enlarged shoot meristems were almost completely suppressed in the pol-6 pll1-3. POL/PLL1 were required for the indeterminate floral organ development displayed by agamous. PLL1-GFP asymmetrically localized in the shootward sides of columella cells and increased the size of distal root meristem region by enhancing the WUS-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 expression suggesting that PLL1 might provide the stem cells and progenies with proper positional information for the asymmetric cell divisions. Together, POL/PLL1 are required for the maintenance of stem cell pools for the post-embryonic development in Arabidopsis.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the flower induction and development of the Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys violascens)

BackgroundBamboo is a very important forest resource. However, the prolonged vegetative stages and uncertainty of flowering brings difficulties in bamboo flowers sampling. Until now, the flowering mechanism of bamboo is still unclear.ResultsIn this study, three successive stages of flowering buds and the corresponding vegetative buds (non-flowering stage) from Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys violascens) were collected for transcriptome analysis using Illumina RNA-Seq method. We generated about 442 million clean reads from the above samples, and 132,678 unigenes were acquired with N50 of 1080 bp. A total of 7266 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined. According to expression profile and gene function analysis, some environmental stress responsive and plant hormone-related DEGs were highly expressed in the inflorescence meristem formation stage (TF_1) while some floral organ development related genes were up-regulated significantly in floral organs determination stage (TF_2) and floral organs maturation (TF_3) stage, implying the essential roles of these DEGs in flower induction and maturation of Lei bamboo. Additionally, a total of 25 MADS-box unigenes were identified. Based on the expression profile, B, C/D and E clade genes were more related to floral organs development compared with A clade genes in Lei bamboo.ConclusionsThis transcriptome data presents fundamental information about the genes and pathways involved in flower induction and development of Lei bamboo. Moreover, a critical sampling method is provided which could be benefit for bamboo flowering mechanism study.

Differentially Expressed Genes between Carrot Petaloid Cytoplasmic Male Sterile and Maintainer during Floral Development

Petaloid cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited loss of male fertility due to the complete conversion of stamens into petal-like organs, and CMS lines have been widely utilized in carrot breeding. Petaloid CMS is an ideal model not only for studying the mitochondrial–nuclear interaction but also for discovering genes that are essential for floral organ development. To investigate the comprehensive mechanism of CMS and homeotic organ alternation during carrot flower development, we conducted transcriptome analysis between the petaloid CMS line (P2S) and its maintainer line (P2M) at four flower developmental stages (T1–T4). A total of 2838 genes were found to be differentially expressed, among which 1495 genes were significantly downregulated and 1343 genes were significantly upregulated in the CMS line. Functional analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, plant hormone signal transduction, and biosynthesis. A total of 16 MADS-box genes were grouped into class A, B, C, and E, but not class D, genes. Several key genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation showed continuously low expression from stage T2 in P2S, and the expression of DcPI and DcAG-like genes also greatly decreased at stage T2 in P2S. This indicated that energy deficiency might inhibit the expression of B- and C-class MADS-box genes resulting in the conversion of stamens into petals. Stamen petaloidy may act as an intrinsic stress, upregulating the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) genes and MADS-box genes at stages T3 and T4 in P2S, which results in some fertile revertants. This study will provide a better understanding of carrot petaloid CMS and floral development as a basis for further research.

Overexpression of SlOFP20 affects floral organ and pollen development

The OVATE gene was initially identified in tomato and serves as a key regulator of fruit shape. There are 31 OFP members in the tomato genome. However, their roles in tomato growth and reproductive development are largely unknown. Here, we cloned the OFP transcription factor SlOFP20. Tomato plants overexpressing SlOFP20 displayed several phenotypic defects, including an altered floral architecture and fruit shape and reduced male fertility. SlOFP20 overexpression altered the expression levels of some brassinosteroid (BR)-associated genes, implying that SlOFP20 may play a negative role in the BR response, similar to its ortholog OsOFP19 in rice. Moreover, the transcript accumulation of gibberellin (GA)-related genes was significantly affected in the transgenic lines. SlOFP20 may play an important role in the crosstalk between BR and GA. The pollen germination assay suggested that the pollen germination rate of SlOFP20-OE plants was distinctly lower than that of WT plants. In addition, the tomato pollen-associated genes SlCRK1, SlPMEI, LePRK3, SlPRALF, and LAT52 were all suppressed in the transgenic lines. Our data imply that SlOFP20 may affect floral organ and pollen development by modulating BR and GA signaling in tomato.

Fertility of Pedicellate Spikelets in Sorghum Is Controlled by a Jasmonic Acid Regulatory Module.

As in other cereal crops, the panicles of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) comprise two types of floral spikelets (grass flowers). Only sessile spikelets (SSs) are capable of producing viable grains, whereas pedicellate spikelets (PSs) cease development after initiation and eventually abort. Consequently, grain number per panicle (GNP) is lower than the total number of flowers produced per panicle. The mechanism underlying this differential fertility is not well understood. To investigate this issue, we isolated a series of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-induced multiseeded (msd) mutants that result in full spikelet fertility, effectively doubling GNP. Previously, we showed that MSD1 is a TCP (Teosinte branched/Cycloidea/PCF) transcription factor that regulates jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis, and ultimately floral sex organ development. Here, we show that MSD2 encodes a lipoxygenase (LOX) that catalyzes the first committed step of JA biosynthesis. Further, we demonstrate that MSD1 binds to the promoters of MSD2 and other JA pathway genes. Together, these results show that a JA-induced module regulates sorghum panicle development and spikelet fertility. The findings advance our understanding of inflorescence development and could lead to new strategies for increasing GNP and grain yield in sorghum and other cereal crops.

Transcriptome analysis of Idesia polycarpa Maxim. var vestita Diels flowers during sex differentiation

Idesia polycarpa Maxim. var vestita Diels. is a dioecious tree species native to eastern Asia. There are difficulties associated with distinguishing the sex of the plant at the seedling stage. In order to explore the mechanism of sex differentiation in flower development, we conducted the transcriptome profiles of male and female flowers at early, metaphase and late developmental stages. Approximately 123,335 unigenes with a total length of 83,996 Mb and an average length of 168 bp were assembled. The unigenes were blasted into Nr, Nt, Pfam, KOG/COG, Swiss-prot, KEGG, GO databases. Homology analysis demonstrated that I. polycarpa and black cottonwood had the highest homology with the alignment of 92,871 sequences. This study identified 80 groups of transcription factor families with a total of 1475 unigenes, mainly including MYB, WRKY, AP2 and bHLH transcription factor families. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the expression of numerous plant hormones (cytokinin, gibberellin and ethylene) and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were different at various stages of female and male flower development. In addition, a number of unigenes associated with flowering were identified which were key genes associated with photoperiodic, vernalization, thermosensory, gibberellin, and autonomic pathways. The results show that I. polycarpa floral organ development was in accordance with the ABCDE model, in which the down-regulation of the B gene family might affect stamen fertility in late stages of female flower development. qRT-PCR experiments validated that the expression patterns of 15 unigenes were consistent with those in RNA-seq results. The results highlight a central role for plant sex identification in seedling production and a sex-determining mechanism for dioecious plants. In addition, the transcriptome data provided a theoretical basis for I. polycarpa genetic diversity analysis and molecular- assisted breeding.

Integrated mRNA, MicroRNA Transcriptome and Degradome Analyses Provide Insights into Stamen Development in Moso Bamboo.

A flower is an essential organ for sexual reproduction in flowering plants, which has been extensively studied in model plants. In this study, we used transcriptomic, small RNA and degradome analyses to characterize key microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets in floral organs of moso bamboo. In total, we identified 13,051 differentially expressed genes and 109 known miRNAs from 26 miRNA families. We aligned the miRNAs to known miRNA databases and revealed some conserved as well as novel miRNAs. Sixteen conserved miRNAs were specifically and highly expressed in stamens, including miRNA159 and miRNA166. In situ hybridization shows that miRNA159 plays a key role in the regulation of stamen development, and the expression levels of its targets PheMYB98 and PheMYB42 were low. Furthermore, Phe-MIRNA159 partially recovers phenotypes of mir159ab double mutant. Overexpression of Phe-MIR159 could cause failure in anther dehisce, and the mature pollens could not be dispersed and further reduce fertility in Arabidopsis. Semi-thin section result shows that anther endothelial layer of Phe-MIRNA159 overexpressing lines is lack of secondary thickening, resulting in limited force for anther opening. Phe-miR159 may regulate the expression of genes related to secondary thickening through negative regulation of AtMYB33, affecting the anther dehiscence. Taken together, this study provides insights regarding molecular networks underlying floral organs development of moso bamboo.

How to build distylous flowers: comparative floral development and evolution of distylous species across the angiosperms.

Distyly, a plant breeding system characterized by two floral morphs that have reciprocal positioning of anthers and stigmas, is known from at least 27 angiosperm families, making it an excellent example of convergent evolution. The various manners in which patterns of floral development produce the distinct anther and stigma heights in each morph remain largely unexplored from developmental and evolutionary perspectives. In 15 species representing at least 12 origins of distyly, heights and lengths of floral organs in each morph throughout development were examined using light microscopy. Patterns of floral organ development were determined and compared among species. Family-level phylogenies of distylous species and relatives were reconstructed, and patterns of ancestral herkogamy were resolved. Differences in floral development between morphs resulted in 12 patterns leading to the anther and stigma positions characterizing distyly. Distylous species evolved from ancestors with different types of herkogamy, with approach herkogamy and lack of herkogamy resolved most frequently. Seven of the 12 patterns of floral development are known from only one species, with three other patterns described among pairs of close relatives. The most common pattern of floral development, described from at least seven genera, involves for anther heights, distinct intermorph growth rates and for stigma heights, growth rates that differ between morphs only during later development. This pattern is common among subclass Lamiidae, suggesting canalized development within the taxon. Among distylous species, the same type of ancestral herkogamy can give rise to different patterns of floral development.

Exogenous Promoter Triggers APETALA3 Silencing through RNA-Directed DNA Methylation Pathway in Arabidopsis.

The development of floral organs plays a vital role in plant reproduction. In our research, the APETALA3 (AP3) promoter-transgenic lines showed abnormal developmental phenotypes in stamens and petals. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms of the morphological defects in transgenic plants. By performing transgenic analysis, it was found that the AP3-promoted genes and the vector had no relation to the morphological defects. Then, we performed the expression analysis of the class A, B, and C genes. A dramatic reduction of transcript levels of class B genes (AP3 and PISTILLATA) was observed. Additionally, we also analyzed the methylation of the promoters of class B genes and found that the promoter of AP3 was hypermethylated. Furthermore, combining mutations in rdr2-2, drm1/2, and nrpd1b-11 with the AP3-silencing lines rescued the abnormal development of stamens and petals. The expression of AP3 was reactivated and the methylation level of AP3 promoter was also reduced in RdDM-defective AP3-silencing lines. Our results showed that the RdDM pathway contributed to the transcriptional silencing in the transgenic AP3-silencing lines. Moreover, the results revealed that fact that the exogenous fragment of a promoter could trigger the methylation of homologous endogenous sequences, which may be ubiquitous in transgenic plants.

Overexpression of MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS25 enhances salt stress tolerance in Rice and Arabidopsis

Salinity is the major abiotic stress inhibiting plant growth and yield all over the world. MADS-box family genes play vital roles in various aspects of plant growth and development, such as the development of floral organs and the regulation of flowering time. The MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS25, belongs to ANR1 clade, and is significantly induced by NO3− and plays a key role in root development in rice. Although MADS genes in different species are reported to play important role in salt stress response, whether OsMADS25 is involved in salinity is still unknown. In this study, our results showed that overexpression of OsMADS25 in rice and Arabidopsis improved salinity tolerance in comparison to wild type. The higher rate of free proline content, lower accumulation of MDA and significantly up-regulation of genes related to salt stress in OsMADS25 overexpression lines clearly demonstrated more tolerance of OsMADS25 plants against oxidative damages to salt stress than WT plants. In contrast, the OsMADS25 RNAi plants showed more sensitivity to salt stress. Overall, our findings indicate OsMADS25 gene is involved in salt tolerance response and this gene could be used as a gene source for salt tolerant crop breeding in future.