Wenxiang Zhang^1,2, Wenning Cui¹, Juan Huang³, Zhangen Lu¹, Kuijing Liang¹, Lingbao Wang^1,2, Shanshan Wei^1,2, Liran Shi¹, Huifen Li¹, Xiaoli Guo^1,2,*, Jianhui Ma^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3893-3912, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.073736 - 29 December 2025

Abstract UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) play essential roles in plant secondary metabolism and stress responses, yet their composition and functions in Sorghum bicolor, a model C4 plant, remain inadequately characterized. This study identified 196 SbUGT genes distributed across all 10 chromosomes and classified them into 16 subfamilies (A–P) through phylogenetic analysis. Among these, 61.2% were intronless, and 10 conserved motifs, including the UGT-specific PSPG box, were identified. Synteny analysis using MCScanX revealed 12 segmental duplication events and conserved syntenic relationships with other Poaceae species (rice, maize, and barley). Promoter analysis uncovered 125 distinct cis-acting elements, predominantly associated with stress and… More >

Shaoyan Wu^1,2, Jie Tian^1,2, Yiyan Wang^1,2, Muhammad Arif^1,2, Shuyao Wang^1,2, Jing Wang^1,2, Zhuoyao Yang^1,2, Ruhong Xu^1,2,*, Luhua Li^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3913-3924, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.072229 - 29 December 2025

Abstract Wheat grain morphology, particularly grain length (GL) and width (GW), is a key determinant of yield. To improve the suboptimal grain dimensions of the local anthocyanin-rich variety Guizi 1 (GZ1), we crossed it with Zhongyan 96-3 (ZY96-3), an elite germplasm known for faster grain filling and superior grain size. A genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach was applied to an F₂ population of 110 individuals derived from GZ1 × ZY96-3, resulting in the identification of 23,134 high-quality SNPs. Most of the SNPs associated with GL and GW were clustered on chromosomes 2B, 3A, and 3B. QTL mapping for GL… More >

Qunlu Liu^1,#, Fiza Liaquat^1,2,#, Qiqi Tang¹, Jun Yang^3,4, Shuai Qiu⁵, Amber Malik², Kang Ye^3,4, Kai Gao⁵, Jun Qin^3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3539-3562, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071989 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Hydrangea macrophylla is a popular ornamental shrub with a lot of economic and aesthetic value. It is known for its different flower shapes (lacecap and mophead) and the way its flowers change color depending on the pH of the soil. Even though it is important for gardening, we still don’t know much about the molecular processes that lead to flower growth. The purpose of this study was to find and study SNP-related genes and transcription factors that are connected to the growth of H. macrophylla flowers. Genome-wide SNP analysis identified 11 SNPs associated with MYB transcription factors… More >

Abdil Hakan Eren^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3085-3107, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.069506 - 29 October 2025

Abstract The FAR1-related sequence (FAR1) gene family consists of transcription factors that originated from transposases and is crucial for light signaling and stress adaptation in plants. Despite the recognized importance of FAR1 genes in model organisms, their genomic architecture, structural variability, and expression patterns in Phaseolus vulgaris have yet to be investigated. This study offers the inaugural comprehensive genome-wide identification and characterization of the FAR1 gene family in P. vulgaris. A total of 27 PvulFAR1 genes were identified, and their chromosomal distribution, gene structures, conserved domains, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed systematically. The promoter regions of these genes were discovered… More >

Jun Li¹, Kangmin Yu¹, Zhiyong Chen¹, Dan Xing², Binshan Zha¹, Wentao Xie¹, Huan Ouyang¹, Changjun Yu^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3469-3492, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.066193 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major contributor to global cancer mortality, ranking second worldwide for cancer-related deaths in 2022, and is characterized by marked heterogeneity in prognosis and therapeutic response. We sought to construct a machine-learning prognostic model based on a complement-related risk signature (CRRS) and to situate this signature within the CRC immune microenvironment. Methods: Transcriptomic profiles with matched clinical annotations from TCGA and GEO CRC cohorts were analyzed. Prognostic CRRS genes were screened using Cox proportional hazards modeling alongside machine-learning procedures. A random survival forest (RSF) predictor was trained and externally validated.… More >

Zhong Ren^1,2,3,#, Shuiming Zhang^1,#, Yuzhi Fei¹, Zhu Chen³, Yue Zhao³, Xin Meng³, Hongfei Zhao^2,*, Jie Ren^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2927-2947, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067310 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Acer paxii belongs to the evergreen species of Acer, but it exhibits a unique feature of reddish leaves in fall in subtropical regions. Although the association of AP2/ERF transcription factors with color change has been well-documented in prior research, molecular investigations focusing on AP2/ERF remain notably lacking in Acer paxii. This research focuses on performing an extensive genome-wide investigation to identify and characterize the AP2/ERF gene family in Acer paxii. As a result, 123 ApAP2/ERFs were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses categorized the ApAP2/ERF family members into 15 subfamilies. The evolutionary traits of the ApAP2/ERFs were investigated by analyzing their… More >

Sae Hee Cheon¹, Sung-Whan Kim^2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1697-1710, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068743 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: Despite the considerable regenerative capacity exhibited by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), their genetic and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the global gene expression profile of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) using microarray analysis and compared it with stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells. Results: Microarray analysis revealed that ASCs express elevated levels of genes related to the extracellular matrix (ECM; extracellular matrix) and collagen, which are critical components of tissue remodeling and wound healing. Additionally, genes associated with cell growth, differentiation, motility, and plasticity were highly expressed. When compared… More >

Jiexiong Xu^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2365-2383, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067124 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Background: Rice grain morphology—including traits such as awn length, hull color, size, and shape—is of central importance to yield, quality, and domestication, yet comprehensive quantification at scale has remained challenging. A promising solution has been provided by the integration of high-throughput imaging with genomic analysis. Methods: A standardized 2D image-processing pipeline was established to extract four categories of traits—awn length, hull color, projected grain area, and shape descriptors via PCA of normalized contours—from high-resolution photographs of 229 Oryza sativa japonica landraces. Genome-wide association analyses were then performed using a mixed linear model to control for population… More >

Wentao Sheng^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2015-2031, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.066232 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Rorippa indica is a wild oilseed crop of Brassicaceae with good environmental adaptability and strong stress resistance. This plant has become an important wild relative species for rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and is used to improve its agronomic traits, with important development and utilization value. However, the research of R. indica genetics is still lacking. And no mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) in the genus Rorippa has been expounded. To analyze the structural characteristics of the R. indica mitogenome, second-generation and third-generation sequencing techniques were made to assemble its mitogenome. The results showed that its mitogenome is composed of a single master… More >

ALEX A. FRANCOEUR^*, NATALIE AYOUB, DANIELLE GREENBERG, KRISHNANSU S. TEWARI

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.7, pp. 1511-1530, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.061120 - 26 June 2025

Abstract Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in the United States and mortality is on the rise. Advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer represents a treatment challenge as historically there have been limited therapeutic options for patients. In the last several years, multiple practice-changing clinical trials have led to significant improvements in the treatment landscape. This review will cover updates in the treatment and management of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer with a focus on novel therapeutics, such as anti-PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and hormonal therapy. More >