Advances in understanding epigenetic regulation of plant trichome development: a comprehensive review

Plant growth and development are controlled by a complex gene regulatory network,which is currently a focal point of research.It has been established that epigenetic factors play a crucial role in plant growth.Trichomes,specialized appendages that arise from epidermal cells,are of great significance in plant growth and development.As a model system for studying plant development,trichomes possess both commercial and research value.Epigenetic regulation has only recently been implicated in the development of trichomes in a limited number of studies,and microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation appears to dominate in this context.In light of this,we have conducted a review that explores the interplay between epigenetic regulations and the formation of plant trichomes,building upon existing knowledge of hormones and transcription factors in trichome development.Through this review,we aim to deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying trichome formation and shed light on future avenues of research in the field of epigenetics as it pertains to epidermal hair growth.

Glandular trichomes:new focus on horticultural crops

Plant glandular trichomes(GTs)are epidermal outgrowths with the capacity to biosynthesize and secrete specialized metabolites,that are of great scientific and practical significance.Our understanding of the developmental process of GTs is limited,and no single plant species serves as a unique model.Here,we review the genetic mechanisms of GT initiation and development and provide a summary of the biosynthetic pathways of GT-specialized metabolites in nonmodel plant species,especially horticultural crops.We discuss the morphology and classification of GT types.Moreover,we highlight technological advancements in methods employed for investigating GTs.Understanding the molecular basis of GT development and specialized metabolites not only offers useful avenues for research in plant breeding that will lead to the improved production of desirable metabolites,but also provides insights for plant epidermal development research.

A CBL4-CIPK6 module confers salt tolerance in cucumber

Soil salinization is a major threat to cucumbers grown under protected cultivation.Under stressful environments,calcineurin B-like proteins(CBLs)can sense and bind Ca2+signals and regulate CBL-interacting protein kinases(CIPKs)to transmit signals and induce cellular responses.Although CBL-CIPK modules play central roles in plant development and response to various abiotic stresses in Arabidopsis,little is known about their functions in cucumber.In this study,we demonstrate that CsCBL4 interacts with CsCIPK6,which exhibited similar responses to salt stress in cucumber.Furthermore,salt stress resulted in greater accumulation of CsCBL4 and CsCIPK6.Comprehensive phenotype analysis demonstrated that silencing CsCBL4 or CsCIPK6 reduced the salt tolerance of cucumber,and overexpression of CsCBL4 increased the salt tolerance of Arabidopsis.Collectively,these results indicate that the CsCBL4-CsCIPK6 module plays an important role in the resistance of cucumber to salt stress.The information provides insights for the genetic breeding of salt tolerance in cucumber in the future.