Entries by Ching Chan

Many plant transcription factor families have evolutionarily conserved binding motifs

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The regulated expression of genes is fundamental to all biological processes, including development, cell growth, and responses to environmental signals. Transcription factors (TFs) are sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that play a central role in transcriptional regulation by directly interacting with cis-regulatory elements of gene targets. During evolution, the specificity of these interactions can shift due to […]

Regulatory mechanisms of strigolactone perception in rice 

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Strigolactones (SLs), a group of carotenoid-derived small signaling molecules and a class of phytohormones, play key roles in regulating various growth and developmental processes in plants. Additionally, they act as rhizosphere signaling molecules that promote symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Despite the identification of key components involved in SL perception and signaling through genetic […]

A trade-off between investment in molecular defense repertoires and growth in plants

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The reduction in crop yields caused by pathogens and pests poses a significant challenge to global food security. Genetic engineering, aimed at strengthening plant defense mechanisms, offers a cost-effective solution for disease control. However, this approach often comes with a growth penalty, commonly referred to as the growth-defense trade-off. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular […]

Altering cold-regulated gene expression decouples the salicylic acid–growth trade-off

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Enhancing plant defense against pathogens and pests often incurs a cost to essential physiological functions such as growth and reproduction, creating a trade-off. This phenomenon is evident in genetic studies across various plant models and agricultural breeding programs. Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known phytohormone essential for basal immunity and systemic acquired resistance; however, its […]

Transposase-assisted target-site integration for efficient plant genome engineering

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Genome editing stands at the forefront of scientific innovation, offering transformative possibilities to manipulate the genetic code of plants, animals, and humans. A critical bottleneck for its application in modern crop improvement is the low frequency and error-prone integration of foreign DNA into the plant genome. While the rapid development of CRISPR/Cas system, which functions […]

The white lupin trehalase gene regulates cluster root formation and function under phosphorus deficiency

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Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. Under P deficiency, white lupin develops cluster roots (CR), specialized root structures that enhance soil exploration and nutrient acquisition. While sugar signaling, particularly sucrose, has been shown to play a role in the establishment of CR, other CR-associated features such as the root exudation […]

Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases of different subfamilies differentially regulate immune responses

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Cell surface receptor complexes act as the first line of defense in detecting pathogens and preventing invasion. Upon recognizing extracellular immunogenic patterns, a cascade of signaling relays occurs, mediated by phosphorylation events among a large array of membrane-associated proteins. These proteins include receptor-like kinases (RLKs), receptor-like proteins (RLPs), and receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs). The genomes […]

Review: Optimizing nutrient transporters to enhance disease resistance in rice

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Plants rely on an array of mineral nutrients for their growth, development, and reproductive processes. The molecular mechanisms governing the uptake, translocation, storage, and utilization of these essential minerals are orchestrated by specific nutrient transporters and their associated regulatory elements, including microRNAs and the ubiquitylation system. Intriguingly, mounting evidence indicates that beyond the traditional roles […]

Glutamine induces lateral root initiation, stress responses, and disease resistance in Arabidopsis

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Nitrogen (N) is vital for plant growth, with plants typically absorbing inorganic N compounds like nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) from the soil. Yet plants can also utilize organic N sources, including amino acids like glutamine (Gln). Gln, as the first organic N compound assimilated within plant cells, goes beyond its metabolic function, influencing various […]