Entries by Linda Palmer

Self-assembling organelles for CO2 fixation: stoichiometry and structural plasticity

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Sun et al. investigate how carboxysomes are constructed and regulated in cyanobacteria. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00787 By Luning Liu Background: All cells are composed of well-defined compartments to encase enzymes and reactions to increase the efficiency of biological processes. In bacteria that can perform photosynthesis, such as cyanobacteria, the specialized microcompartments are carboxysomes. The carboxysome contains […]

Immunity-growth Trade-off in Plants

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Jing et al. reveal how danger-associated peptides inhibit root growth in plants in response to pathogen attack. Plant Cell (2018) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00145.   Background: Plants defend themselves against pathogens and pests through an innate immune system that is activated by pathogen-associated and damage/danger-associated signals. Immunity often occurs at the expense of growth inhibition, as exemplified by […]

Regulation and Function of a Plant Energy Sensor

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Ramon et al. show how plants have modified the ancient, highly conserved eukaryotic energy sensor to better fit their unique lifestyle and cope with changing environmental conditions. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00500 By Nathalie Crepin and Filip Rolland, KU Leuven, Belgium Background: All living organisms need to maintain a positive energy balance for survival and growth. This […]

Gene redundancy: is it also redundant in the “real world”?

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Illouz-Eliaz et al. report that GA receptor genes that appear redundant under controlled climate conditions have unique roles under field conditions. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00235 By Natanella Illouz-Eliaz, Uria Ramon, Hagai Shohat, Shula Blum, Sivan Livne, Dvir Mendelson and David Weiss. Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, […]

Plant Calcium Channels Perceive the Hungry Caterpillar

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Meena et al. identify a Ca2+ channel involved in herbivory recognition. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00057 By Mukesh Kumar Meena, Ramgopal Prajapati, Deepthi Krishna and Jyothilakshmi Vadassery are from National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, India Background: Insect herbivory greatly limits plant growth and productivity. The common cutworm Spodoptera litura is a widespread, destructive […]

Small RNA Pathway Acting in the Father Controls Seed Abortion

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Satyaki and Mary Gehring uncover the mechanism underlying interploidy seed abortion, challenging previous models of dosage sensitivity in endosperm. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00047 By PRV Satyaki (Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research) and Mary Gehring (Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Background: In the seeds of flowering plants, the embryo […]

The MICOS Complex in Plant Mitochondria

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Li et al. reveal a complex regulatory network defining mitochondrial, chloroplast and endoplasmic reticulum function. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00885 By Lu Li1, Anastasiya Lavell2, Xiangxiang Meng1, Oliver Berkowitz1, Jennifer Selinski1, Allison van de Meene3, Chris Carrie4, Christoph Benning2, James Whelan1, Inge De Clercq1, Yan Wang1 1Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, School of Life Science, […]

Stem Cell Termination in Flowers

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Sun et al. elucidate the series of events leading to floral stem cell termination. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00450 By B. Sun and T. Ito College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, China; Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore Background: During early flower […]

Structure of Methylthioalkylmalate Synthase

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Kumar et al. uncover the molecular basis for the diversification of the agriculturally important methionine-derived glucosinolates in plants. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00046 Background: The chemical diversity of specialized metabolites in plants helps them to better adapt and survive in a variety of environments. Glucosinolates are amino-acid derived molecules primarily found in plants of the order Brassicales, […]