Rapeseed WRKY57‐ <i>BOR2</i> Module Mediates Cellular Boron Homeostasis to Confer Low‐Boron Adaptation
Boron (B) is a vital micronutrient for plant growth and development. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying cellular B homeostasis, particularly under low B, remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a WRKY transcription factor, BnaC2.WRKY57 as a key regulator of cellular B homeostasis in rapeseed (Brassica napus). Under low-B stress, BnaC2.WRKY57 exhibited dynamically upregulated expression in mature leaves while downregulated in rapidly expanding leaves, thereby functioning as a 'molecular switch' to fine-tune cellular B partitioning to cell walls. Loss-of-function mutants of BnaC2.WRKY57 showed enhanced low-B tolerance, whereas its overexpression lines displayed hypersensitivity, manifested by leaf curling and impaired root elongation. Mechanistically, BnaC2.WRKY57 directly repressed the transcript level of the B transporter BnaC4.BOR2, thereby reducing B sequestration in the cell wall and facilitating B remobilization. This transcriptional regulation fine-tuned B allocation, ensuring efficient utilization under limited B supply. Our findings reveal the BnaC2.WRKY57-BnaC4.BOR2 module as a critical adaptive strategy for low-B stress, providing novel genetic targets for improving B-use efficiency in crops.
Authors
- Guangda Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3702-5087)
- Yingpeng Hua (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5730-3737)
- Sheliang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9166-0578)
- Rui Cui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0320-1372)
- Fangsen Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3564-1644)
- Yingna Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8166-6986)
- Wei Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9488-5505)
Institutions
- Huazhong Agricultural University (CN)
- Zhengzhou University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Plant Cell & Environment
- Published
- 2025-10-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.70251
- Primary Topic
- Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China