图为NLA新变体协同调控玉米耐冷性、磷吸收效率和产量稳定性工作模型。（受访者供图） 研究团队发现，NLA如同一个精密的"分流阀门"，是整合"冷-磷"协同调控的分子枢纽，使得玉米提高 耐冷性的同时，抑制根系对磷的吸收。 "像一块跷跷板，如何打破玉米在低温环境下耐冷性与磷吸收效率的权衡，团队做了很多尝试。"杨淑华 介绍，研究团队结合人工智能辅助的蛋白设计与基因编辑技术，构建起NLA的新变体，从而实现了蛋 白功能的定向优化与重塑，创制出兼具强耐寒性和高磷利用效率的新型玉米种质，助力粮食稳产增产。 玉米原产于热带地区，对低温极为敏感。低温不仅影响玉米的生长、产量和种植范围，还会使土壤中营 养元素磷的有效性下降，从而影响作物能量代谢。因此，在寒冷环境下，作物生长往往面临抗寒压力和 养分不足的双重挑战。我国科学家近期的研究成果有望改善这一情况。 记者了解到，近日，中国农业大学植物抗逆高效全国重点实验室杨淑华、施怡婷教授团队揭示了玉米在 协调逆境适应与养分利用中的关键分子机制，发现玉米中关键蛋白NLA在低温响应与磷吸收调控中的 核心枢纽作用。相关成果2月26日在线发表于国际学术期刊《自然》。 《自然》评述文章表示，这一成果 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significance of synonymous mutations in genetic research, particularly their role in cucumber domestication through epitranscriptomic regulation, challenging traditional views on these mutations [2][3]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in the journal Cell demonstrates that synonymous mutations can regulate important traits in cucumber by altering m6A modifications and mRNA structural conformations [2][3]. - The research identifies two closely linked genes, YTH1 and ACS2, that interact epistatically to influence cucumber fruit length [5][9]. - A specific synonymous mutation, 1287C>T in the ACS2 gene, is identified as a pathogenic mutation that disrupts m6A methylation and alters RNA structure, leading to changes in fruit length [6][9]. Group 2: Genetic Mechanisms - The YTH1 gene encodes an m6A reader protein, while the ACS2 gene encodes a rate-limiting enzyme for ethylene synthesis in plants, both of which are crucial for cucumber domestication [5][9]. - The study reveals that the wild-type cucumber's ACS2 1287C leads to m6A modification and a loose RNA structure, while the cultivated cucumber's ACS2 1287T results in a compact RNA structure, affecting protein levels and fruit length [6][9].