Plants adapt to abiotic stresses through complex signaling networks, in which the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role. While the core ABA biosynthesis and signaling modules are well characterized, the spatiotemporal mechanisms enabling rapid and specific molecular interactions within crowded cellular environments have remained elusive. This review comprehensively examines the emerging role of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a critical physicochemical signal conversion system in plant environmental stress responses. LLPS facilitates the direct regulation of ABA signaling through the formation of biomolecular condensates, such as stress granules and processing bodies, which spatially sequester specific mRNAs and proteins. Key examples include the stabilization of ABA-biosynthetic mRNAs by DRG9 and the dynamic modulation of ABA-responsive transcripts by N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) reader proteins SiYTH1 and ECT8. The review also highlights the regulation of stress responses via osmotic stress sensors, such as SEU and DCP5, and extracellular RALF-pectin condensates, which reprogram the transcriptome and integrate with ABA networks. LLPS bridges physical stress detection, such as molecular crowding, with hormonal control and mRNA fate determination, thereby providing plants with rapid, reversible, and spatially compartmentalized adaptive strategies. Finally, we outline future research directions, emphasizing the need to explore phase separation within core ABA components and the potential applications of LLPS in stress-tolerant crop breeding.

The genus Datura, a member of the economically important Solanaceae family, comprises toxic species distributed worldwide and noted for their diverse pharmacological properties. Despite its significance, the cytogenetic characteristics of Datura remain insufficiently explored, limiting insights into its genomic organization and evolutionary dynamics. In this study, four Iranian populations: three Datura innoxia and one D. stramonium, were investigated to provide a detailed cytogenetic assessment. Karyotype analyses were performed on root tip cells, while nuclear DNA content was quantified using flow cytometry with Solanum lycopersicum cv. Stupicke serving as an internal reference standard. All populations consistently displayed a diploid chromosome number of 2n=2x=24, confirming chromosomal stability within these taxa. However, significant interpopulation variation was identified in chromosome length, ranging from 2.02 to 3.53 µm, as well as in monoploid genome size, with a mean 1Cx DNA content of 1.82 pg. These results highlight a remarkable constancy in chromosome number alongside variability in genomic DNA content, emphasizing the complex cytogenetic diversity within Datura. The study provides essential baseline data for future genetic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary research, aiding in the understanding of genome organization and species differentiation in this genus.

The localization and endogenous content of phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA; cytokinins; and abscisic acid, ABA) were studied in proliferating embryogenic cell lines (CLs) of Larix sibirica. Cell elongation, polarization, and polar localization of IAA at one pole of elongated cells were observed during the initiation of embryogenic cultures. In proliferating CLs, intense immunofluorescent staining of the embryonal globule for IAA, zeatin, and ABA was observed, whereas embryonal tubes of the suspensor did not contain hormones. In young, actively proliferating cell lines, IAA content ranged from 495 to 2380 ng g⁻¹ DW, total cytokinins from 54 to 166 ng g⁻¹ DW, and ABA was very low (9–24 ng g⁻¹ DW). During long-term proliferation (11–14 years) or even after only 3 years in some cell lines, IAA increased to 3687 ng g⁻¹ DW, total cytokinins changed only slightly, whereas ABA increased to 970 ng g⁻¹ DW. ABA above 300 ng g⁻¹ DW, accompanied by high IAA, was associated with reduced or complete loss of somatic embryo maturation and plantlet regeneration capacity.

Heavy metal pollution of sewage water might have an impact not only on the plant system but also on human health. Lens culinaris Medik.’s chromosomes (2n=14) were investigated for assessing physicochemical parameters and cytotoxic potential by employing a radicle chromosomal aberration assay. Seeds of lentils were germinated in different sites of sewage water, such as T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄ (distilled water). The effect of different treatments was analyzed by evaluating the germination rate, mitotic index, radicle length, chromosomal aberrations, and CV in root tips meristematic tissue. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the pH is acidic in nature, with heavy metals Fe and Mn in T₁ sewage water exceeding Indian Standard 0500:2012 permissible limits, while other chemicals Pb, Cl, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Zn are within standard tolerance limits. Compared with the control sample, the results established that the heavy metal-contaminated sewage water can be correlated with significant MI reduction (p＜0.01) and an increase in different chromosomal aberrations such as karyorrhexis, bi-nucleate, fragmented chromosome, sticky metaphase, c-metaphase, diagonal anaphase, telophase laggard, ring chromosome, diagonal sticky anaphase, and anaphase bridge in root tip meristems of Lens culinaris Medik., thereby harming the health of living organisms.

Tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes breast cancer progression through complex cellular interactions. Extracellular vesicles derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF-EXO) are increasingly being studied as important mediators in this process. Still, their specific roles in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of CAF-EXO on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and EMT of breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with normal fibroblast-derived exosomes (HKF-EXO) or CAF-derived exosomes (CAF-EXO), and the effects of the exosomes on cell proliferation (CCK-8), apoptosis (Annexin V/7-AAD), migration/invasion (Transwell), and the expressions of EMT markers (RT-PCR, Western blot) were evaluated. The results showed that compared with the control group, CAF-EXO significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of the cells, while reducing cell apoptosis. The expression of E-cadherin was reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with CAF-EXO, while the expression of N-cadherin and LC3B was increased. These results suggested that exosomes derived from CAF may promote the malignant progression of breast cancer by inducing proliferation, invasion, and EMT of breast cancer cells, thereby providing preliminary evidence for understanding their role in TME remodeling.

This study presents a comprehensive karyotype analysis of 14 Brassica species including six U’s Triangle species and eight Brassica wild relatives (BWRs). Chromosome slides were prepared using cytological techniques to determine chromosome numbers and analyze the karyotypes of all species. Evolutionary patterns were assessed, and cluster analysis was performed based on multiple karyotypic parameters, including chromosome length, arm ratio, centromeric index, relative length, karyotype type, asymmetry index, etc. The results revealed that the chromosome numbers of the eight wild relatives showed diploidy with 2n=2x=14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, while among the U’s Triangle species, three species were diploid with 2n=2x=16, 18, and 20, and three species were amphidiploid having 2n=4x=34, 36, and 38. The karyotypes of these species comprised metacentric, submetacentric, and acrocentric chromosomes and were classified into types 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Karyotype analysis indicated evolutionary trends from symmetrical to asymmetrical chromosome structures, supporting diversification and adaptation within the Brassicaceae family. Notably, Brassica fruticulosa and Brassica nigra exhibited comparatively higher karyotype asymmetry index values and average arm ratio values of (q/p). In contrast, Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa showed the lowest karyotype asymmetry index values and average arm ratio of (q/p). Cluster analysis, based on karyotypic parameters, grouped these 14 species into four major groups. Interactome analysis highlighted strong positive and negative correlations among karyotypic parameters across the species. Overall, this study enhances the understanding of phylogenetic evolution, genetic relationships, and chromosomal diversification in Brassica species, providing valuable cytogenetic insights into the Brassicaceae family.

Despite the chromosomes of Vicia faba being a prominent cytogenetic model, the status of chromosome analysis in Indian germplasm has been underrepresented. The present study provides a state-of-the-art chromosome preparation for Indian V. faba. The heterochromatic landmarks are visibly demonstrated by the distribution of nucleolar CMA bands and proximal DAPI bands in the M chromosome pair. The present study lays a background in Indian faba bean to delve deeper into the molecular cytogenetic architecture of this crop.