As essential organs of reproduction in angiosperms, flowers, and the genetic mechanisms of their development have been well characterized in many plant species but not in the woody tree yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium). Here, we focused on the double flower phenotype in yellowhorn, which has high ornamental value. We found a candidate C-class gene, AGAMOUS1 (XsAG1), through Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) sequencing and genetics analysis with a Long Interpersed Nuclear Elements 1 (LINE1) transposable element fragment (Xsag1-LINE1-1) inserted into its second intron that caused a loss-of-C-function and therefore the double flower phenotype. In situ hybridization of XsAG1 and analysis of the expression levels of other ABC genes were used to identify differences between single- and double-flower development processes. These findings enrich our understanding of double flower formation in yellowhorn and provide evidence that transposon insertions into genes can reshape plant traits in forest trees.

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a dicotyledonous oilseed crop that can have either spineless or spiny capsules. Spines are protuberant structures that differ from thorns or prickles. The developmental regulatory mechanisms governing spine formation in castor or other plants have remained largely unknown. Herein, using map-based cloning in 2 independent F₂ populations, F₂-LYY5/DL01 and F₂-LYY9/DL01, we identified the RcMYB106 (myb domain protein 106) transcription factor as a key regulator of capsule spine development in castor. Haplotype analyses demonstrated that either a 4,353-bp deletion in the promoter or a single nucleotide polymorphism leading to a premature stop codon in the RcMYB106 gene could cause the spineless capsule phenotype in castor. Results of our experiments indicated that RcMYB106 might target the downstream gene RcWIN1 (WAX INDUCER1), which encodes an ethylene response factor known to be involved in trichome formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to control capsule spine development in castor. This hypothesis, however, remains to be further tested. Nevertheless, our study reveals a potential molecular regulatory mechanism underlying the spine capsule trait in a nonmodel plant species.

To solve the problem of dye contamination caused by methylene blue (MB), a one-step synthesised nanocellulose (CNF) and polyacrylamide (PAM) gel network was modified by using NaOH in this study, and the prepared samples were analysed for their micromorphology, chemical structure, and adsorption-release properties. The findings demonstrated that the maximum adsorption capacity of the CNF-PAM5% was 172.08 mg/g, which followed the quasi-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption model. The adsorption of the gel increased with the increase of the NaOH-modified concentration. However, the adsorption efficiency of the CNF-PAM5% could still reach 85% after four cycles, and the CNF-PAM5% remained intact without signs of fragmentation after 4 h of stirring and water impact, which was attributed to the introduction of CNF into the PAM network to effectively improve the mechanical properties of the gel. Moreover, toxicity tests showed no significant difference in the amount of cellular activity, even when the volume of the CNF-PAM5% sample was increased up to 10-fold. This gel, which exhibits low toxicity and excellent recycling properties, serves to reduce environmental impact during the adsorption process. Furthermore, the potential exists for utilising the gel’s methylene blue-releasing (MB) properties as a fungicide for fish.

The application of hydrogels in flexible sensing has received increasing attention, but the simultaneous preparation of hydrogels with good structural stability, strain sensing sensitivity, freezing resistance, and drying resistance remains a challenge. Based on this, a GG-nanocellulose/sodium alginate/polyacrylamide composite hydrogel with a hierarchical network structure was constructed by one-step synthesis by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and glycerol into the hydrogel. The hydrogel remained structurally intact after 100 compression cycles. In addition, the hydrogel was dried at 30 °C for 24 h. The mass retention rate was 48%, the melting peak was as low as −13.87 °C, and the hydrogel remained flexible and stable at low temperatures. GO modulated the network structure arrangement of the hydrogel through various mechanisms, thereby conferring to the hydrogel an excellent sensing performance, with a sensitivity (GF) of 2.21. In conclusion, this hierarchical network hydrogel has good drying, freezing, and sensing properties, which provides a new viable strategy for monitoring motion signals. Moreover, the hydrogel is predicted to function as a dressing, thereby facilitating the absorption of heat from the skin’s surface, with the aim of alleviating the discomfort associated with joint and muscle injuries caused by strenuous exercise.

Caoyuanheimo-1 (Agaricus sp.) is a delectable mushroom native to Inner Mongolia, China, belonging to the Agaricus genus and valued for both its edible and medicinal properties. Although it has been cultivated to a certain extent, the molecular mechanisms regulating its development remain poorly understood. Building on our understanding of its growth and development conditions at various stages, we conducted transcriptomic and metabolomic studies to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites throughout its growth cycle. Simultaneously, we analyzed the synthesis pathways and identified several key genes involved in the production of terpenoids, which are secondary metabolites with medicinal value widely found in mushrooms. A total of 6843 unigenes were annotated, and 449 metabolites were detected in our study. Many of these metabolites and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are involved in the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids, such as arginine, cysteine, methionine, and other amino acids, which indicates that the genes related to amino acid metabolism may play an important role in the fruiting body development of Caoyuanheimo-1. Succinic acid also showed a significant positive correlation with the transcriptional level changes of nine genes, including laccase-1 (TRINITY_DN5510_c0_g1), fruiting body protein SC3 (TRINITY_DN3577_c0_g1), and zinc-binding dihydrogenase (TRINITY_DN2099_c0_g1), etc. Additionally, seventeen terpenoids and terpenoid-related substances were identified, comprising five terpenoid glycosides, three monoterpenoids, two diterpenoids, one sesquiterpenoid, one sesterterpenoid, two terpenoid lactones, and three triterpenoids. The expression levels of the genes related to terpenoid synthesis varied across the three developmental stages.