Tissue Structure, Hormone Levels, and Molecular Changes in Horned Galls Before and After Dehiscence

doi:10.7525/j.issn.1673-5102.2026.03.010

Abstract

Abstract:

Horned galls constitute the primary variety of Chinese gallnuts and are typically harvested before dehiscence. Investigating the dehiscent mechanism of horned galls provides theoretical support for optimizing Chinese gallnut harvesting strategies and enhancing horned galls yield and quality. Using horned galls as experimental material， comprehensive analyses on paraffin section histological structure， hormonal （gibberellic acid and abscisic acid） levels， and transcriptional and metabolomic correlations were conducted on indehiscent and dehiscent horned galls at early-（C）， mid-（Z）， and late stages（M）. Results showed that indehiscent horned galls exhibited smaller parenchyma cells （mean diameter（31.40±2.38） μm）， more upper epidermal cells， and thicker epidermis. Dehiscent horned galls showed significantly enlarged parenchyma cells（mean diameter （93.60±7.10） μm）， reduced vascular bundles， and smaller schizogenous duct. In plant hormones within horned galls， both ABA and GA levels increased with gall dehiscent progression. Indehiscent horned galls exhibited lower contents（9.20 and 5.41 ng⋅g^-1）， while galls in the late dehiscent stage（M） showed higher levels （16.35， 10.94 ng⋅g^-1）. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2 064 differentially expressed genes between indehiscent and dehiscent horned galls， primarily enriched in the pathways such as plant hormone signaling and starch/sucrose metabolism. Significant differences were observed in the expression of GA20OX， ZEP， NCED and AAO genes during ABA and GA synthesis. Metabolomics identified 99 significantly differentially expressed metabolites（74 up-regulated， 25 down-regulated）， predominantly enriched in polyketide sugar biosynthesis and terpenoid skeleton biosynthesis pathways. Integrated analysis revealed that horned galls dehiscence involved in the coordinated action of multiple genes and metabolites， with differentially expressed genes and metabolites significantly enriched in pathways including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signaling. Changes in cell volume and vascular bundle size occurred during horned galls dehiscence. Multiple pathways collectively drived horned galls dehiscence， with significant contributions from phenylpropanoid biosynthesis， flavonoid biosynthesis， starch and sucrose metabolism， and plant hormone signaling.

Key words: Chinese gallnuts, horned galls, dehiscent mechanism, gibberellin, abscisic acid, transcriptomics, metabolomics

CLC Number:

S718.7

Banghuan WANG, Jiaxin LI, Qi PAN, Yueqin LIANG, Aiping WU, Shuangjiao FENG, Ju GU, Zixiang YANG, Ping LIU, Chao WANG. Tissue Structure, Hormone Levels, and Molecular Changes in Horned Galls Before and After Dehiscence[J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research, 2026, 46(3): 493-504.

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样本ID Sample ID	干净读数 Clean bases/Gb	GC碱基占总碱基的百分比 GC content/%	Q20测序准确度 Q20 （99% accuracy）	Q30测序准确度 Q30 （99% accuracy）
B1	6.52	43.33	99.78	98.77
B2	6.30	43.78	99.80	98.93
B3	6.53	43.94	99.45	98.16
W1	7.85	43.67	98.32	96.42
W2	6.54	43.32	99.77	98.72
W3	6.60	43.48	99.83	99.08