Root exudates from Oryza rufi pogon elicit stronger transcriptional responses in benefi cial bacterial endophytes and, together with bacterial inoculation, reveal distinct plant responses compared with cultivated rice, suggesting that microbiome-associated traits altered during domestication could be exploited for sustainable rice breeding. Beneficial interactions between plants and microorganisms strongly influence plant health and productivity, and root exudates play a central role in shaping these associations. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional responses of the bacterial endophytes Enterobacter asburiae RCA24 and Kosakonia sacchari RCA25 to root exudates from two commercial Italian rice accessions (Oryza sativa Baldo and Vialone Nano) and from an accession of the wild progenitor of tropical rice, Oryza rufipogon. Transcriptome analysis showed that RCA24 displayed distinct responses to the two O. sativa varieties, whereas RCA25 exhibited more extensive transcriptional changes in response to O. rufipogon root exudates. Differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with central metabolism, stress response, and signal transduction, suggesting distinct patterns of bacterial adaptation to the different exudate profiles. Transcriptome analysis of inoculated rice further indicated broader transcriptional changes in plants colonized by RCA24 than in those colonized by RCA25. Differentially expressed genes, particularly in shoots, were associated with defense responses, hormone-mediated signaling pathways, and ribosome biogenesis, consistent with genotype-dependent plant responses to different bacterial strains. Overall, these findings indicate that wild and cultivated rice accessions differ in their interaction with beneficial bacterial endophytes at the transcriptional level. Traits associated with plant-microbiota interactions in O. rufipogon, which are lost during domestication and diversification, may represent valuable targets for future studies aimed at enhancing beneficial microbial associations in cultivated rice.

Critical insight: Elevated ozone (EO3) induced selective upregulation of TCA cycle, phenylpropanoid?flavonoid pathways and downregulation of lignans and specific lipids. This coordinated carbon?nitrogen reallocation enhances quercetin-based ROS scavenging and respiratory energy supply, strengthening ozone stress tolerance. This study examines metabolic changes in A. moschatus pods under elevated ozone (EO3) stress by using open-top chambers (OTC). The metabolomic analysis revealed the carbon and nitrogen distribution, with reduced glycolysis and TCA cycle activity, while the pentose phosphate pathway, amino acid synthesis, and lipid modification increased. These shifts redirected resources into secondary metabolism, particularly phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, terpenoid, and saponin pathways, leading to enhanced accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and saponins. Functionally, these metabolic changes translated into stronger bioactivities, as pod extracts under EO3showed increased inhibition of α-amylase,α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase. Such effects highlight their potential to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and lipid absorption, linking O3-driven metabolite enrichment with anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic related benefits. Overall, EO3stress acted as a metabolic trigger, enhancing both oxidative defense and nutraceutical potential.

PP2A is the most abundant member of the non-metal-dependent serine-threonine phosphatases in eukaryotes. It is an important player in the reversible phosphorylation of proteins and involved in a wide variety of cellular processes, from signal transduction events to cell cycle regulation and a large number of metabolic processes. At the subcellular level, there is a comprehensive knowledge on PP2A-mediated regulation of chromatin and cytoskeletal organization and there is increasing evidence for its relevant functions in the organization of membrane compartments. Relatively little is known about the related regulatory functions of this enzyme complex in the responses of plants to abiotic stresses. However, recent research has revealed several aspects of these relationships at the subcellular level, mainly for osmotic/salt and heat stress. PP2A is a family of three-subunit holoenzyme complexes, where "A" are scaffolding, "B" are regulatory and "C" are catalytic subunits. Here we discuss the involvement of all these subunits in the regulation of stress-related changes in chromatin, cytoskeleton (microtubule and microfilament), endomembrane (including ER) and plastid/mitochondrial organization and emphasize how they sustain the functioning of plant cells under multiple abiotic stresses. There are crucial subunits in this respect, for example A1, C3 and C4 as well as "B" regulatory subunits such as FASS and members of the B and B' subfamilies. PP2A is involved in stress hormone (featuring ABA) signaling at multiple levels. In light of recent research, we show that different PP2A holoenzymes link together diverse stress-related signaling mechanisms.

Ethylene functions as a central hormonal regulator controlling diverse metabolic and developmental changes throughout fruit maturation and storage. In this review, we provide an integrative examination of ethylene-dependent networks that coordinate ripening, addressing genetic control mechanisms, climate stress responses, and commercial handling practices. Our analysis focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ethylene production and the downstream signaling components that drive expression of genes necessary for ripening. We also examine how ethylene signaling interfaces with master transcriptional regulators and integrates with other phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, auxin, jasmonic acid, and brassinosteroids to fine-tune the ripening process. Moreover, we address the impact of climate change-related factors, such as heat stress, altered light regimes, elevated CO2 levels, and water scarcity, on ethylene-mediated ripening processes. Strategies for managing ethylene production during postharvest storage and transportation are also discussed. Finally, we propose future research directions to advance the broader understanding of ethylene-mediated regulation of fruit ripening. A deeper insight into ethylene function will support the development of innovative approaches to improve fruit quality, extend shelf life, and contribute to global food security and environmental sustainability.

Triacylglycerols (TAGs), once considered passive storage reserves confined to seeds, are now recognized as dynamic components of plant lipid metabolism with pivotal roles in stress adaptation. Far from being inert carbon depots, TAGs function as metabolic buffers that integrate energy storage, membrane lipid remodeling, and cellular protection under fluctuating environmental conditions. Abiotic stresses such as temperature extremes, drought, salinity, and nutrient limitation disrupt membrane integrity and lipid homeostasis, leading to the release of free fatty acids and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). TAG biosynthesis under these conditions acts as a protective sink, sequestering toxic lipid intermediates, preserving membrane stability, and maintaining redox balance. The dynamic turnover between membrane lipids and TAGs allows plants to rapidly reorganize their lipid composition, stabilizing membranes during cold or heat stress, buffering osmotic imbalance during drought and salinity, and mitigating photodamage under nutrient deprivation. Emerging evidence highlights that TAG accumulation is not merely a byproduct of stress but a strategically regulated process linked to hormonal and redox signaling pathways. This reprogramming of lipid metabolism supports energy redistribution, detoxification of reactive lipid species, and recovery following stress exposure. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the biosynthetic, regulatory, and physiological roles of TAGs during abiotic stress. It discusses how TAG metabolism operates at the intersection of lipid remodeling, cellular homeostasis, and stress signaling, positioning TAGs as key determinants of plant resilience and promising targets for the biotechnological enhancement of crop stress tolerance.