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The AlkB homologs ( ALKBH ) gene family regulates N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) RNA methylation and is involved in plant growth and the abiotic stress response. Poplar is an important model plant for studying perennial woody plants. Poplars typically have a long juvenile period of 7–10 years, requiring long periods of time for studies of flowering or mature wood properties. Consequently, functional studies of the ALKBH genes in Populus species have been limited. Based on AtALKBHs sequence similarity with Arabidopsis thaliana , 23 PagALKBHs were identified in the genome of the poplar 84K hybrid genotype ( P. alba   ×   P. tremula var. glandulosa ), and gene structures and conserved domains were confirmed between homologs. The PagALKBH proteins were classified into six groups based on conserved sequence compared with human, Arabidopsis, maize, rice, wheat, tomato, barley, and grape. All homologs of PagALKBHs were tissue-specific; most were highly expressed in leaves. ALKBH9B and ALKBH10B are m 6 A demethylases and overexpression of their homologs PagALKBH9B and PagALKBH10B reduced m 6 A RNA methylation in transgenic lines. The number of adventitious roots and the biomass accumulation of transgenic lines decreased compared with WT. Therefore, PagALKBH9B and PagALKBH10B mediate m 6 A RNA demethylation and play a regulatory role in poplar growth and development. Overexpression of PagALKBH9B and PagALKBH10B can reduce the accumulation of H 2 O 2 and oxidative damage by increasing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, and enhancing protection for Chl a/b, thereby increasing the salt tolerance of transgenic lines. However, overexpression lines were more sensitive to drought stress due to reduced proline content. This research revealed comprehensive information about the PagALKBH gene family and their roles in growth and development and responsing to salt stress of poplar.

Summary Plant‐specific NAC proteins constitute a major transcription factor family that is well‐known for its roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In recent years, there has been significant progress in understanding the functions of NAC proteins. NAC proteins have a highly conserved DNA‐binding domain; however, their functions are diverse. Previous understanding of the structure of NAC transcription factors can be used as the basis for their functional diversity. NAC transcription factors consist of a target‐binding domain at the N‐terminus and a highly versatile C‐terminal domain that interacts with other proteins. A growing body of research on NAC transcription factors helps us comprehend the intricate signalling network and transcriptional reprogramming facilitated by NAC‐mediated complexes. However, most studies of NAC proteins have been limited to a single function. Here, we discuss the upstream regulators, regulatory components and targets of NAC in the context of their prospective roles in plant improvement strategies via biotechnology intervention, highlighting the importance of the NAC transcription factor family in plants and the need for further research.

Selfing often causes inbreeding depression, especially during seed and seedling stages. However, some selfed progeny show low inbreeding depression with enhanced vigour, differing from inbred counterparts. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms maintaining seed vigour during selfing in Cunninghamia lanceolata. Evaluation showed that selfed seeds had medium vigour compared to other inbred and non‐inbred seeds. Transcriptome analysis revealed similar gene expression patterns in the radicles and hypocotyls of inbred seeds. GO enrichment analysis identified adenine salvage as a key pathway related to seed vigour in selfed seeds. Purine metabolites (AMP, ADP, ATP) were higher in inbred seeds with better vigour, correlating with increased APRT enzyme activity. APRT inhibition by 6‐diaminopurine had varying effects: high‐vigour seeds were significantly inhibited, low‐vigour seeds showed weaker inhibition, and selfed seeds exhibited an intermediate response. The addition of adenine and AMP partially restored seed vigour, further supporting the role of adenine salvage in vigour maintenance. A significant positive correlation (r > 0.922, p < 0.0001) between ClAPRT3 expression and APRT activity suggests that ClAPRT3 reflects APRT activity. Consistently, ClAPRT3 overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced radicle and hypocotyl length. Although ClMYB23 negatively regulates ClAPRT3 expression, no mutation was detected in the MYB binding motif among inbred progeny. Instead, variations in the ClAPRT3 coding sequence led to differences in binding energy with its ligand, which may partially explain the observed differences in APRT activity. These findings provide insights into the transcriptional and metabolic regulation of adenine salvage in maintaining seed vigour under inbreeding.