Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of Isopentenyl Transferase (IPT) genes in mulberry (Morus spp.): Insights into evolutionary diversification and drought-responsive hormonal regulation.
Singhal C, Sharma AK, Khurana P
Plant Signaling
Mulberry trees feed silkworms, anchor soil, and increasingly show up in edible landscaping — knowing exactly which genes flip on during a drought gives breeders a precise target for growing tougher, more productive trees without genetic guesswork.
Mulberry trees make hormones called cytokinins that tell the plant when to grow new shoots, how to manage its leaves, and how to respond to stress. Researchers found the specific genes that kick off cytokinin production and discovered that one group of them turns on strongly when the tree is thirsty, while another group goes quiet. This suggests mulberry has a two-pronged hormonal strategy for surviving drought, and scientists can now potentially breed trees that handle dry conditions much better.
Key Findings
Six IPT genes were found in two mulberry species (M. notabilis and M. alba) and seven in a third (M. indica cv. K2), revealing minor but meaningful variation across the genus.
Adenylate-type IPT genes were strongly up-regulated under drought stress, while tRNA-type IPT genes were suppressed, indicating opposite functional roles in stress response.
One key gene (MiIPT1) was confirmed to operate inside the plastid (the plant's photosynthesis compartment), pinpointing where early cytokinin production physically occurs in the cell.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists mapped all the genes in mulberry trees responsible for producing cytokinins — hormones that control growth, branching, and stress responses. They found that one class of these genes ramps up sharply during drought, pointing to a built-in hormonal mechanism mulberry uses to cope with water stress.
Abstract Preview
Cytokinins (CKs) orchestrate a myriad of developmental and adaptive processes in plants, with their biosynthesis initiated by isopentenyl transferases (IPTs), the key enzymes catalyzing the first a...
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Morus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae, consists of 19 species of deciduous trees commonly known as mulberries, growing wild and under cultivation in many temperate world regions. Generally, the genus has 64 subordinate taxa, though the three most common are referred to as whit...