Review: Beyond fossil fuel–driven nitrogen transformations ($) (Science)
Plant Science Research WeeklyObtaining the high yields needed to feed the human population depends on the application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers to non-leguminous crops, yet the production of these compounds consumes 1 – 2% of global energy output. Plant scientists are familiar with the conversion of N2 to NH3 by nirogenase…
Review: Entering the next dimension - plant genomes in 3D (Trends Plant Sci)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe three-dimensional arrangement of DNA within the nucleus clearly affects gene expression, but its contribution remains relatively unexplored as compared to other factors. Sotelo-Silveira et al. review new chromosome conformation capture (3C) and derived techniques for assessing genomes in 3D, as well…
Genes responsible for deceleration of circadian rhythms during tomato domestication (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyDomestication of crop plants is intimately linked to the modulation of the plants circadian rhythms, allowing adaptation to new agricultural environments. Deceleration of the clock has been instrumental in tomato domestication; however the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In…
Response to persistent ER stress in plants (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyA key question in plant stress physiology is how the plant perceives stress in order to mitigate its effects. Heat (and other) stress can lead to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, which initiates the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), leading to a change in…
Role of BASIC PENTACYSTEIENE transcription factors in a subset of cytokinin signaling responses (Plant J)
Plant Science Research WeeklyWhen cytokinin binds to its receptor AHKs (Arabidopsis Histidine Kinase), the signal is transduced through AHPs (Arabidopsis Histidine-containing Phosphotransfer protein) and eventually to type-B ARRs (Arabidopsis Response Regulators) transcription factors (TFs). Type-B ARR TFs mediate the primary cytokinin…
Antagonistic action of ABA and cytokinin signaling mediates drought stress response in Arabidopsis ($) (Mol Plant)
Plant Science Research WeeklyDrought stress results in a conglomeration of hormone pathways that interact to coordinate plant growth and stress response. ABA and cytokinin signaling are known to be antagonistic but it is unclear how these two pathways are connected. Huang et al. identified roles for several ARR proteins, negative…
Chloroplast ATP synthase structure generated through cryo-EM ($) (Science)
Plant Science Research WeeklyGreen plants use photosynthesis to covert light into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through the molecular action of the chloroplast F1Fo ATP synthase (cF1Fo). The ATP synthesis happens in the hydrophilic head (c F1) and is powered by the cFo rotary motor located in the photosynthetic membrane. This rotary…
What We're Reading: June 1st
WWR Full PostReview: Beyond fossil fuel–driven nitrogen transformations ($)
Obtaining the high yields needed to feed the human population depends on the application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers to non-leguminous crops, yet the production of these compounds consumes 1 – 2% of global energy output. Plant…
NLR mutations suppressing immune hybrid incompatibility (Plant Physiol)
Plant Science Research WeeklyHybrid incompatibility (HI) is effectively the opposite of hybrid vigor, and indicates a deleterious effect arising from the combination of two genomes. Because of reduced fitness of the hybrids, HI can be considered as contributing towards speciation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HI has been recognized…