A large data array on plant gene expression accumulated thanks to comparative omic studies directs the efforts of researchers to the specific or fine effects of the target gene functions and, as a consequence, elaboration of relatively simple and concurrently effective approaches allowing for the insight into the physiological role of gene products. Numerous studies have convincingly demonstrated the efficacy of transient expression strategy for characterization of the plant gene functions. The review goals are (i) to consider the advantages and limitations of different plant systems and methods of transient expression used to find out the role of gene products; (ii) to summarize the current data on the use of the transient expression approaches for the insight into fine mechanisms underlying the gene function; and (iii) to outline the accomplishments in efficient transient expression of plant genes. In general, the review discusses the main and critical steps in each of the methods of transient gene expression in plants; areas of their application; main results obtained using plant objects; their contribution to our knowledge about the fine mechanisms of the plant gene functions underlying plant growth and development; and clarification of the mechanisms regulating complex metabolic pathways.

One of the key problems of biology is how plants adapt to unfavorable conditions, such as low temperatures. A special focus is placed on finding ways to increase tolerance in important agricultural crops like wheat. Au-based nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have been employed extensively in this area in recent years. Au-NPs can be produced fast and easily using low-cost chemical reagents. When employed in microdoses, Au-NPs are often non-toxic to plants, animals, and people. In addition, Au-NPs mainly have favorable impacts on plants. In this study, we investigated the effect of Au-NP seed nanopriming (diameter 15.3 nm, Au concentration 5–50 µg mL⁻¹) on cold tolerance, as well as some physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters, of cold-sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype Zlata. The treatment with Au-NPs improved tolerance to low temperatures in control conditions and after cold hardening. Au-NPs treatment boosted the intensity of growth processes, the quantity of photosynthetic pigments, sucrose in leaves, and the expressions of encoded RuBisCo and Wcor15 genes. The potential mechanisms of Au-NPs’ influence on the cold tolerance of wheat varieties were considered.

The control of translation in the course of gene expression regulation plays a crucial role in plants’ cellular events and, particularly, in responses to environmental factors. The paradox of the great variance between levels of mRNAs and their protein products in eukaryotic cells, including plants, requires thorough investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of translation. A wide and amazingly complex network of mechanisms decoding the plant genome into proteome challenges researchers to design new methods for genome-wide analysis of translational control, develop computational algorithms detecting regulatory mRNA contexts, and to establish rules underlying differential translation. The aims of this review are to (i) describe the experimental approaches for investigation of differential translation in plants on a genome-wide scale; (ii) summarize the current data on computational algorithms for detection of specific structure–function features and key determinants in plant mRNAs and their correlation with translation efficiency; (iii) highlight the methods for experimental verification of existed and theoretically predicted features within plant mRNAs important for their differential translation; and finally (iv) to discuss the perspectives of discovering the specific structural features of plant mRNA that mediate differential translation control by the combination of computational and experimental approaches.

The study of cold-tolerance mechanisms of wheat as a leading cereal crop is very relevant to science. Primary metabolites play an important role in the formation of increased cold tolerance. The aim of this research is to define changes in the content of primary metabolites (soluble proteins and sugars), growth, and photosynthetic apparatus of freezing-tolerant and cold-sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under optimal conditions and after prolonged (7 days) exposure to low temperature (4 °C). In order to gain a deeper comprehension of the mechanisms behind wheat genotypes’ adaptation to cold, we determined the expression levels of photosynthetic genes (RbcS, RbcL) and genes encoding cold-regulated proteins (Wcor726, CBF14). The results indicated different cold-adaptation strategies of freezing-tolerant and cold-sustainable wheat genotypes, with soluble proteins and sugars playing a significant role in this process. In plants of freezing-tolerant genotypes, the strategy of adaptation to low temperature was aimed at increasing the content of soluble proteins and modification of carbohydrate metabolism. The accumulation of sugars was not observed in wheat of cold-sustainable genotypes during chilling, but a high content of soluble proteins was maintained both under optimal conditions and after cold exposure. The adaptation strategies of wheat genotypes differing in cold tolerance were related to the expression of photosynthetic genes and genes encoding cold-regulated proteins. The data improve our knowledge of physiological and biochemical mechanisms of wheat cold adaptation.

Nanopriming is a unique way to change the metabolism and stress tolerance of plants. In this study, the effects of seed priming with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs, 15 nm) on the photosynthetic apparatus, pro-/antioxidant balance, and cold tolerance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were examined for the first time. The study revealed that nanopriming with Au-NPs (20 µg mL⁻¹ for 24 h) causes an increase in cold tolerance both under control conditions and after cold adaptation at 9 °C for 5 d. In additional, nanopriming leads to the formation of tomato plants with altered photosynthetic apparatus and pro-/antioxidant status. At the same time, nanoparticles do not accumulate in the aboveground parts of the plants. Under control conditions, nanopriming enhances photosynthesis rate, the relative expression of rbcS gene, the number of grana in chloroplast, and the content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves. Regardless of the temperature (in control conditions and during cold adaptation), nanopriming increases the size of chloroplast, the relative expression of rbcL gene, the content of malonic dialdehyde and H₂O₂, and the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in leaves. Nanopriming decreases the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and sugar content in tomato leaves and leads to a number of structural changes in chloroplasts. This study highlights the potential of the use of Au-NPs as a promising strategy to mitigate cold stress in tomato plants by affecting photosynthesis and the antioxidant system.