This paper presents the first chromosome-scale genome of wild lablab and identifies genes and pseudogenes associated with domestication and stress tolerance.

bioRxiv · Nov 13, 2025 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology

Diurnal regulation of SOS Pathway and Sodium Excretion Underlying Salinity Tolerance of Vigna marina

Yusaku Noda, Fanmiao Wang, Sompong Chankaew, Hirotaka Ariga, Chiaki Muto, Yurie Iki, Haruko Ohashi, Yu Takahashi, Hiroaki Sakai, Kohtaro Iseki, Eri Ogiso‐Tanaka, Nobuo Suzui, Yong‐Gen Yin, Yuta Miyoshi, Kazuyuki Enomoto, , Ken Naito

This study identifies diurnal regulation of the SOS pathway and sodium excretion mechanisms in Vigna marina, revealing a QTL region with structural rearrangements and cis-regulatory motifs linked to salt tolerance.

Plant Cell & Environment · Jan 24, 2025Peer-reviewedPlant Biology

Genetic factor for twisting legume pods identified by fine-mapping of shattering-related traits in azuki bean and yard-long bean

Yu Takahashi, Alisa Kongjaimun, Chiaki Muto, Yuki Ohdaira Kobayashi, Masahiko Kumagai, Hiroaki Sakai, Kazuhito Satou, Kuniko Teruya, Akino Shiroma, Makiko Shimoji, Takashi Hirano, Takehisa Isemura, Hiroki Saito, Akiko Baba-Kasai, Akito Kaga, , Ken Naito

The paper identifies MYB26 as a genetic factor for twisting legume pods through fine-mapping of shattering-related traits in azuki and yard-long beans.

bioRxiv · Sep 28, 2019 · PreprintGenetics

QTL Analysis of Domestication Syndrome in Zombi Pea (Vigna vexillata), an Underutilized Legume Crop

Sujinna Dachapak, ‍Norihiko Tomooka, Prakit Somta, Ken Naito, Akito Kaga, Peerasak Srinives

This study performs QTL analysis on zombi pea to identify genetic factors underlying domestication traits, finding conserved QTLs for seed and pod size between zombi pea and cowpea.

PLoS ONE · Dec 18, 2018Peer-reviewedGenomics