Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41484828›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2026

Physiological and transcriptomic insights into the molecular mechanisms of salt stress adaptation in Gardenia jasminoides.

Wenhui Li, Ziyang Zhang, Dexing Chen, Xin He, Ye Huang, Xuewei Zhao, Weihong Sun, Zhong-Jian Liu, Shuang-Quan Zou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC plant biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Wenhui LiCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Ziyang ZhangCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Dexing ChenCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Xin HeCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Ye HuangChina Strait Horticulture Technology Innovation Hub, College of College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Xuewei ZhaoCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
Weihong SunCollege of Biology and Agriculture Technology, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, Guizhou, 563000, China.
Zhong-Jian LiuCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. zjliu@fafu.edu.cn.
Shuang-Quan ZouCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. zou@fafu.edu.cn.

Funding

Fuzhou Forestry Science and Technology Project 2024RLKY02the Central-funded Forestry Science and Technology Promotion and Demonstration Project 2024TG22the Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology-University-Industry Cooperation Project 2022N5009
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSalt stress is a major environmental factor limiting plant growth and productivity. Plants have developed diverse physiological and molecular strategies to adapt to saline conditions. Gardenia jasminoides, a dual-purpose plant with significant economic value in medicine and landscaping, exhibits notable salt tolerance, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our study aims to elucidate the physiological and molecular adaptive strategies of this plant to salt stress by integrating physiological measurements and transcriptomic analysis.

resultsRNA-seq profiling of G. jasminoides leaves, which were subjected to four NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 mmol·L⁻¹) for 15 days, identified 3,883 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were mainly associated with calcium signaling, MAPK–WRKY cascades, antioxidant defense, and phytohormone regulation. Physiological analysis revealed that prolonged stress caused structural damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, evidenced by a significant decline in Fv/Fm and an increase in Fo at Day 15. These changes mirrored transcriptional reprogramming: peroxidase (POD) activity and related genes were strongly induced, catalase (CAT) activity was repressed, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased under severe stress. Osmotic adjustment displayed stress-dependent patterns, with proline accumulation peaking under moderate stress and soluble proteins under severe stress. Network analysis highlighted a hierarchical regulatory system, where calcium signaling and MAPK cascades coordinated antioxidant defense and ion homeostasis. Key salt-responsive regulators, including CaM/CML, CDPK, WRKY22/29, and glutathione S-transferase (GST) family members, were proposed as central nodes integrating Ca²⁺ influx, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAPK activation, and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling.

conclusionsOur findings reveal a hierarchical regulatory network that fine-tunes ROS homeostasis, osmotic balance, and stress signaling in G. jasminoides. Salt-responsive regulators such as WRKY transcription factors and GST family members represent promising targets for functional studies and molecular breeding aimed at enhancing salt tolerance in woody plants for ecological restoration and agricultural production.

Indexed as

GardeniaSalt StressSalt ToleranceTranscriptomeGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, PlantPlant ProteinsSodium ChloridePlant ProteinsSodium ChlorideAntioxidant defenseGardenia jasminoidesReactive oxygen species (ROS)RNA-seq analysisSalt stress

Identifiers

PMID41484828
PMCPMC12866529

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.