Genome-wide analysis of the plant-specific PLATZ gene family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and its roles in response to drought and salt tolerance.

Jinxian Chen; Wenhao Wu; Minghua Luo; Shaoli Tan; Xueping Wu; Shuangxian Liu; Minmin He; Fuyuan Jin; Shouling Li; Haixia Wu; Mengjin Ji; Shugang Hui; Wei Li; Xuchu Wang

doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2026.115046

PubMed · 42546957

Genome-wide analysis of the plant-specific PLATZ gene family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and its roles in response to drought and salt tolerance.

Jinxian Chen·Wenhao Wu·Minghua Luo·Shaoli Tan·Xueping Wu·Shuangxian Liu·Minmin He·Fuyuan Jin·Shouling Li·Haixia Wu·Mengjin Ji·Shugang Hui·Wei Li·Xuchu Wang

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Abiotic stress severely limits plant growth and productivity. Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS), known for its environmental resilience, represents a valuable resource for identifying stress-tolerant genes to improve stress-adaptive crops. Plant AT-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors serve as core regulators of plant growth, developmental processes, and adaptive responses to various stress conditions; however, they remain uncharacterized in TKS. Here, we identified 10 TksPLATZ genes through a whole-genome analysis. Phylogenetically, these genes were grouped into five distinct evolutionary branches. Promoter sequence analysis revealed multiple types of cis-acting regulatory elements that are connected with hormonal signal responses and environmental stress adaptation. Integrated analysis of transcriptome datasets and RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that TksPLATZ genes display tissue-specific expression profiles and show distinct responsive patterns to drought and salt stress treatments. Among them, TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 were markedly induced under both stressors and were selected for further functional study. We demonstrated that TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively. Phenotypic data from overexpression experiments in plants confirm that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2, and TksPLATZ7 enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress. These findings provide valuable genetic resources for improving plant tolerance to environmental stresses.

Explore related subjects

Salt Tolerance Taraxacum Plant Proteins Droughts Drought Resistance Transcription Factors Gene Expression Regulation, Plant Phylogeny Stress, Physiological Environmental stress PLATZ proteins Subcellular localization Yeast heterologous expression Zinc finger domain Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Jinxian Chen, Wenhao Wu, Minghua Luo, Shaoli Tan, Xueping Wu, Shuangxian Liu, Minmin He, Fuyuan Jin, Shouling Li, Haixia Wu, Mengjin Ji, Shugang Hui, Wei Li, Xuchu Wang. 2026-08-03. Genome-wide analysis of the plant-specific PLATZ gene family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and its roles in response to drought and salt tolerance.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2026.115046

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification of the Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) gene family in Taxodium distichum and functional characterization of TdGPX9 in enhancing salt tolerance.

This study systematically identified 10 TdGPX genes in Taxodium distichum, demonstrating that the nucleocytoplasmic-localized TdGPX9 plays a pivotal role in salt stress response. Overexpression of TdGPX9 significantly enhances salt tolerance by strengthening the antioxidant defense system and improving root system plasticity under stress. Taxodium distichum is a premier coniferous species renowned for its exceptional waterlogging and salinity tolerance, serving as a vital forest resource for coastal afforestation and wetland ecological restoration. Within the physiological framework of plant stress resistance, the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) family represents a cornerstone of the antioxidant enzymatic system, playing a critical role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. In this study, 10 TdGPX genes were identified via a comprehensive genome-wide analysis and mapped across eight chromosomes. These genes possess a highly conserved Thioredoxin_like domain, with structural and motif analyses revealing a well-maintained arrangement of conserved motifs within each subgroup. The promoter analysis identified a sophisticated regulatory network enriched with cis-acting elements responsive to light, phytohormones, and abiotic stresses, suggesting their integration into diverse signaling pathways. Expression profiling across various tissues and embryonic developmental stages further highlighted the versatile roles of TdGPX members in plant growth and organogenesis. Notably, qRT-PCR analysis identified the nucleocytoplasmic-localized TdGPX9 as a primary respondent to salinity. Functional validation demonstrated that TdGPX9 overexpression significantly enhances salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and T. distichum callus by strengthening the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, TdGPX9 promoted root system plasticity under stress, as evidenced by increased lateral root density. These findings provide a systematic basis for understanding the redox-regulatory mechanisms in baldcypress and offer vital genetic resources for improving forest resilience in coastal wetland ecosystems.

Salt Tolerance↗

PubMed2026

Transcription factor LbUBC positively regulates salt gland development and salt tolerance by directly binding to the LbTTG1 promoter and repressing its transcription.

KEY MESSAGE：: LbUBC enhances salt tolerance by promoting salt gland development via repressing LbTTG1, revealing a synergisticregulatory mechanism in Limonium bicolor. In the context of increasingly severe soil salinization, salt-tolerant genetic resources from halophytes show great application potential. In particular, the recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor, which possesses specialized salt gland structures, has become a key model for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance and salt gland development. In this study, using LbTTG1-overexpressing and -silenced lines, we demonstrate that LbTTG1 negatively regulates salt-gland development and salt tolerance. Through yeast one-hybrid, EMSA, and dual-luciferase assays, Lb7G33228 (LbUBC) was screened and verified as an upstream transcriptional regulator of LbTTG1. LbUBC enhances salt tolerance in L. bicolor by positively regulating salt-gland development, verified using LbUBC silence and overexpression strains. Interestingly, LbUBC represses the expression of its downstream target LbTTG1, thereby releasing the inhibitory effect of LbTTG1 on salt-gland development. In this manner, LbUBC positively regulates salt-gland development, achieving a dynamic balance in the regulation of salt-gland development and salt tolerance in L. bicolor. This study reveals a synergistic regulatory mechanism involving multiple genes, offering new insights for comprehensively dissecting the molecular regulatory network of salt-gland development.

Salt Tolerance↗

PubMed2026

CaMYB121-CaABF2 negative feedback loop modulates CaNHX2 expression to confer salt tolerance in pepper.

Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that severely restricts pepper (Capsicum annuum) production. Although abscisic acid (ABA) is vital for salt tolerance, the transcriptional regulatory networks governing ABA-mediated salt defense remain largely unknown. Here, we uncovered a negative feedback loop between CaMYB121 and CaABF2.1/2 that modulates the expression of CaNHX2.1/2/3, thereby enhancing salt tolerance in pepper plants. RNA-seq analysis revealed that CaMYB121 displayed an expression pattern consistent with that of CaNHX2 after salt treatment. Silencing CaMYB121 markedly reduced salt tolerance and inhibited root growth. Mechanistically, CaMYB121 directly binds to the CaNHX2 promoter to activate transcription, thereby promoting salt resilience. Salt stress also robustly triggered ABA signaling genes, with CaABF2.1/2 displaying expression patterns closely mirroring those of CaMYB121. Transient silencing of CaABF2.1/2 results in phenotypes similar to those observed with CaMYB121 suppression. Notably, CaMYB121 activates CaABF2.1/2 transcription by binding to its promoters, whereas CaABF2.1/2 represses CaMYB121 expression by directly targeting its promoter, forming a self-regulating feedback loop that prevents excessive defense activation. Collectively, our findings reveal a CaMYB121-CaABF2 feedback circuit that dynamically balances growth and defense to optimize salt tolerance in pepper plants.

Salt Tolerance↗