Research Highlights

Peleke et al. developed interpretable deep learning models to predict gene expression from gene flanking regions in plants, revealing conserved and species-specific regulatory elements and their impacts on genetic variation and phenotype.

Researchers identified and validated three stable dwarf3 alleles in sorghum that prevent reversion to wild-type, improving crop height stability and facilitating efficient agricultural practices.

The study identifies key genes and pathways involved in the resistance of sorghum to sugarcane aphids, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance and potential strategies for breeding more resilient sorghum cultivars.

This study reveals that aphid resistance in sorghum is associated with specific leaf cell structures and the upregulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, with naringenin and genistein playing crucial roles in enhancing resistance.

Tryptophan enhances sorghum root growth and tolerance to low nitrogen conditions by modulating IAA synthesis and carbon and nitrogen metabolism, suggesting its potential to improve crop resilience and yield.

Rosati et al. identified SbGATA22 as a potential negative regulator of the dhurrin biosynthetic gene SbCYP79A1 in sorghum, providing preliminary insights into the molecular regulation of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis.

Researchers sequenced 1,000 EMS-induced sorghum mutants, uncovering 9 million mutations that provide valuable insights into gene functions and regulatory elements, making it a powerful resource for plant biology and crop breeding.

Scientists from Saint Louis University, the USDA-ARS and the Chinese Academy of Sciences collaborated to develop a comprehensive transcriptomic atlas for sorghum, identifying housekeeping and tissue-specific genes and constructing co-expression networks to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms and pathways, particularly in starch synthesis.

Jia et al. discuss the molecular mechanisms involving the YSL transporter gene SbYS1 and its upstream transcription factor SbWRKY72 in cadmium tolerance and accumulation in sweet sorghum.

This study elucidates the molecular function of the sorghum bHLH transcription factor SbMYC2 in enhancing drought tolerance through JA signaling, providing valuable insights for the development of drought-tolerant cereal crops.