The study characterizes a conserved RNA structural element named DEAD within DEAD-box helicase genes in land plants, showing that it functions as a sensor of helicase activity to regulate alternative splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana. By modulating the folding of DEAD, the plant balances helicase transcript and protein levels via a negative feedback loop, and loss of this regulation leads to widespread splicing disruptions and severe stress phenotypes.
Field experiments combined with RNA sequencing revealed that wheat ploidy influences heat stress resilience, with tetraploid T. turgidum showing the smallest yield loss and hexaploid T. aestivum mounting the largest transcriptional response. Ploidy-dependent differences were observed in differential gene expression, alternative splicing—including hexaploid-specific exon skipping of NF‑YB—and co‑expression networks linked to grain traits, highlighting candidate pathways for breeding heat‑tolerant wheat.
Full-length transcriptome atlas of Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus reveals novel genes and alternative splicing in tissue-specific biosynthesis of ocotillol-type saponins
The study generated the first tissue‑specific full‑length transcriptome atlas for Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus using combined PacBio SMRT and Illumina RNA‑Seq, uncovering 281,468 transcripts and 8,089 novel genes. Twenty‑one candidate genes in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis were identified, along with extensive alternative splicing events that appear to modulate tissue‑specific production of ocotillol‑type ginsenosides.
The study investigates the gene regulatory network (GRN) controlling flowering time in the allotetraploid crop Brassica napus by comparing its transcriptome to that of Arabidopsis thaliana. While most orthologous gene pairs show conserved expression dynamics, several flowering‑time genes display regulatory divergence, especially under cold conditions, indicating subfunctionalisation among paralogues. Despite these differences, the overall GRN topology remains similar to Arabidopsis, likely due to retention of multiple paralogues.
The study generated a dataset of 420 sgRNAs targeting promoters, exons, and introns of 137 tomato genes in protoplasts, linking editing efficiency to chromatin accessibility, genomic context, and sequence features. Open chromatin sites showed higher editing rates, while transcriptional activity had little effect, and a subset of guides produced near‑complete editing with microhomology‑mediated deletions. Human‑trained prediction models performed poorly, highlighting the need for plant‑specific guide design tools.
Root-Suppressed Phenotype of Tomato Rs Mutant is Seemingly Related to Expression of Root-Meristem-Specific Sulfotransferases
Authors: Kumari, A., Gupta, P., Santisree, P., Pamei, I., Valluri,, S., Sharma, K., Venkateswara Rao, K., Shukla, S., Nama, S., Sreelakshmi, Y., Sharma, R.
The study characterizes a radiation‑induced root‑suppressed (Rs) mutant in tomato that displays dwarfism and pleiotropic defects in leaves, flowers, and fruits. Metabolite profiling and rescue with H2S donors implicate disrupted sulfur metabolism, and whole‑genome sequencing identifies promoter mutations in two root‑meristem‑specific sulfotransferase genes as likely contributors to the root phenotype.
An ancient alkalinization factor informs Arabidopsis root development
Authors: Xhelilaj, K., von Arx, M., Biermann, D., Parvanov, A., Faiss, N., Monte, I., Klingelhuber, F., Zipfel, C., Timmermans, M., Oecking, C., Gronnier, J.
The study identifies members of the REMORIN protein family as inhibitors of plasma membrane H⁺‑ATPases, leading to extracellular pH alkalinization that modulates cell surface processes such as steroid hormone signaling and coordinates root developmental transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana. This inhibition represents an ancient mechanism predating root evolution, suggesting that extracellular pH patterning has shaped plant morphogenesis.
The study identified a heat‑responsive exon‑skipping event in the basic Helix‑Loop‑Helix domain of the transcription factor PIF4, which reduces PIF4 activity and promotes photomorphogenic traits in etiolated seedlings. This reveals a novel post‑transcriptional mechanism by which plants modulate PIF4 function during heat stress.
In vivo binding by Arabidopsis SPLICING FACTOR 1 shifts 3' splice site choice, regulating circadian rhythms and immunity in plants
Authors: Agrofoglio, Y. C., Iglesias, M. J., de Leone, M. J., Hernando, C. E., Lewinski, M., Torres, S. B., Contino, G., Yanovsky, M. J., Staiger, D., Mateos, J. L.
The study characterizes the plant spliceosomal protein AtSF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana, using iCLIP and RNA‑seq to map its in vivo branch point binding sites and demonstrate that loss of AtSF1 causes widespread 3' splice‑site mis‑selection. Structural comparison reveals a plant‑specific domain architecture, and the identified AtSF1 targets are enriched for circadian and defense genes, linking splicing regulation to timing and immunity.
Splicing regulation by RS2Z36 controls ovary patterning and fruit growth in tomato
Authors: Vraggalas, S., Rosenkranz, R. R., Keller, M., Perez-Perez, Y., Bachiri, S., Zehl, K., Bold, J., Simm, S., Ghatak, A., Weckwerth, W., Afjehi-Sadat, L., Chaturvedi, P., Testillano, P. S., Mueller-McNicoll, M., Zarnack, K., Fragkostefanakis, S.
The study identifies the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor RS2Z36 as a key regulator of ovary patterning and early fruit morphology in tomato, with loss‑of‑function mutants producing smaller, ellipsoid fruits and elongated pericarp cells. RNA‑seq and proteomic analyses reveal widespread alternative splicing and altered protein abundance, including novel splice‑variant peptides, while mutant pericarps show increased deposition of LM6‑detected arabinan and AGP epitopes.