The study investigates the molecular basis of heat‑tolerant pollen tube growth in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by comparing thermotolerant and sensitive cultivars. Using live imaging, transcriptomics, proteomics, and genetics, the authors identified the Rapid Alkalinization Factor (RALF) signaling pathway as a key regulator of pollen tube integrity under high temperature, with loss of a specific RALF peptide enhancing tube integrity in a thermotolerant cultivar.

The study examined how Arabidopsis calcium‑dependent protein kinases AtCPK5 and AtCPK6 modulate immunity triggered by bacterial rhamnolipids, finding that RLs up‑regulate these kinases and that mutants, especially cpk5/6, show altered reactive oxygen species production and defense gene expression. However, these kinases did not influence RL‑induced electrolyte leakage or resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, indicating additional signaling components are involved.

Using a microfluidic valve rootchip, the study simultaneously tracked ROS and calcium dynamics in compressed roots and found three kinetic phases linking mechanosensitive channel activity, NADPH oxidase‑dependent ROS accumulation, and secondary calcium influx. Pharmacological inhibition revealed that a fast calcium response is mediated by plasma‑membrane mechanosensitive channels, while a slower calcium increase is driven by ROS production.

The authors generated a high‑resolution 1.45‑billion‑contact Micro‑C map for cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), identifying ~4,600 long‑range chromatin loops that fall into promoter‑centered and Polycomb/heterochromatin‑associated classes. Comparative Micro‑C in wild tomatoes showed conserved loop anchors despite sequence turnover, and integration with transcriptomics revealed that promoter‑anchored loops can either activate or repress gene expression depending on the chromatin state of distal anchors.

The study applied limited proteolysis‑coupled mass spectrometry (LiP‑MS) to map JA‑protein interactions, validating known JA binders and uncovering novel candidates, including several UDP‑glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Functional omics, biochemical, enzymatic, and structural analyses demonstrated that two tomato UGTs glucosylate jasmonic acid, revealing a previously missing step in JA catabolism.

A comparative phosphoproteomics study using Arabidopsis thaliana ahk5 loss‑of‑function mutants and wild‑type seedlings revealed that the histidine kinase AHK5 mediates a rapid shift from multistep phosphorelay signaling to serine/threonine phosphorylation in response to H2O2. AHK5 controls ROS‑responsive phosphorylation of plasma‑membrane nanodomain proteins and orchestrates distinct ABA‑independent stomatal closure and ABA‑dependent root development pathways by modulating key components such as RBOHD, CAS, HPCA1, and auxin transporters.

The study assessed the impact of adding mammalian growth factors and cytokines to transformation media on CRISPR‑Cas9–mediated genome editing in six tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) accessions with varying regeneration capacities. Over three years, supplementation with these factors significantly increased regeneration rates and the production of stable secondary transgenic lines, especially in recalcitrant genotypes.

The researchers created tomato lines overexpressing the autophagy gene SlATG8f and evaluated their performance under high-temperature stress. qRT‑PCR and physiological measurements revealed that SlATG8f overexpression enhances expression of autophagy‑related and heat‑shock protein genes, accelerates fruit ripening, and improves fruit quality under heat stress.

Proteomic comparison of mock‑ and potato spindle tuber viroid‑infected tomato revealed a broad down‑regulation of nucleoporins and nuclear transport receptors, leading to impaired nuclear import of the immune regulator NPR1. Overexpression of NPR1 or treatment with a salicylic‑acid analog restored defense and reduced PSTVd infection, highlighting nuclear transport repression as a key vulnerability in plant immunity against viroids.

The study demonstrates that calcium-dependent protein kinases NbCDPK4 and NbCDPK5 directly phosphorylate the NADPH oxidase NbRBOHB at Ser‑123, enhancing sustained ROS production during effector-triggered immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana. Constitutively active CDPKs also upregulate NbRBOHB transcription, and phosphorylation of Ser‑123 is amplified by Ca2+ influx triggered by an autoactive helper NLR (NRC4). These results define a NbCDPK‑NbRBOHB signaling module that links NLR activation to prolonged ROS bursts in ETI.