Polyubiquitination, the sequential attachment of the small 8kDa globular protein ubiquitin (Ub) to target proteins, represents a major post-translational modification that ultimately determines the substrate’s cellular fate. Ub conjugation is an extremely versatile form of protein regulation since any of the Ub’s seven lysine residues can form such polymeric chains, plus the process itself is […]
‘Senescence’ originates from the Latin word senescere, to grow old. However, the process of leaf senescence is not simply the passive death of the leaf but instead represents an active and highly regulated process of nutrient remobilization from older leaves into developing parts of the plant to support further growth and reproduction. In crop plants […]
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (~21 nucleotide) non-coding RNAs that function as post-transcriptional repressors of gene expression. In plants, miRNAs recognize their target mRNAs based on perfect, or near-perfect, sequence complementarity, ultimately mediating their cleavage and/or translational inhibition (Jones-Rhoades et al., 2006). Most miRNA targets identified to date encode transcription factors (TFs); miRNA-TF […]
The Golgi apparatus is the central sorting station of the eukaryotic secretory pathway. Protein and lipid cargoes are received at its cis face from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and may undergo various modifications including glycosylation before being trafficked onwards from the trans face to their final cellular destination. In addition, the Golgi serves as a […]
Plants have evolved highly sophisticated signalling systems that enable them to coordinate growth and development and respond rapidly to environmental fluctuations. These long-range signals can take the form of mobile small molecules such as phytohormones and RNAs, but can also be electrical signals associated with waves of calcium (Ca2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The […]
The auspicious timing of seasonal germination is crucial to plant fitness and survival. Consequently, seed dormancy is tightly regulated by both developmental and environmental cues, which are integrated via crosstalk between several phytohormone signaling pathways including gibberellins, abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene. Since favorable environmental conditions, notably permissive temperatures and photoperiods, are crucial for the […]
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the fifth most important cereal crop globally and is considered to be the “camel among crops” due to its ability to flourish in low-nutrient soils and to withstand prolonged drought. Cultivated varieties are phenotypically and morphological diverse. Consequently, sorghum is grown as both a food source (grain sorghum) and as an […]