The canonical model of gibberellic acid (GA) signaling pathway includes the recognition of the hormone by the receptor GID1 and the further degradation of the DELLA proteins by the proteasome. In this paper, Blanco-Touriñan et al. observed in Arabidopsis that the DELLA protein REPRESSOR OF ga1-3 (RGA)…

Heterotrimeric G proteins transduce signals between receptors and downstream factors. Previous genetic studies have shown diverse roles for these proteins based on loss-of-function phenotypes; for example mutations in Arabidopsis Gα and Gβ subunits both lead to enlarged shoot apical meristems. Wu et…

Many trees emit isoprene (C5H8, a small volatile carbon compound) during hot weather, and isoprenes have been shown to help trees tolerate short bursts of high temperatures (heat flecks). Isoprenes are not themselves harmful, but are reactive and can lead to the production of high levels of ground-level…

Advances in microscopy have greatly informed our understanding of fundamental plant processes, but the germline cells in flowers have been hard to image as they are tiny and embedded within other tissues. Valuchova et al. present a method using light sheet fluorescence microscopy that allows live cell…

Banana streak virus (BSV) is a plant pathogenic pararetrovirus that has integrated into the genome of banana Musa spp., reducing crop production. When BSV-infected banana plants become stressed, BSV reactivates to create functional infectious viruses that can cause lethal tissue necrosis. Tripathi et…

Review: In vitro analytical approaches to study plant ligand-receptor interactions It seems every other paper shows a nice diagram of a signaling cascade that includes a receptor interacting with its ligand. However, sometimes these diagrams are little more than speculation or guesswork. It’s not…

When seeds germinate underground, the emerging seedlings must push upward through the soil to reach sunlight and begin photoautotrophic growth.  As the hypocotyl emerges from the seed, mechanical pressure against the soil induces production of ethylene, which accumulates and promotes hypocotyl curling.…

Miaoquan Song, first author of OsNAR2.1 interaction with OsNIT1 and OsNIT2 functions in root-growth responses to nitrate and ammonium Current Position: PhD student of Nanjing Agriculture University Education: 2013-2020, PhD student, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural…