Cells communicate with one another to coordinate signaling across tissues. Adjacent cells are connected by plasmodesmata that create a cellular continuum throughout the plant. Although many plasmodesmata-associated proteins have been identified, details of structure remain unclear. Techniques often used, such as fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, and electron tomography, have helped to determine how these structures […]
In this Perspective article, Stacey Harmer reflects on plant gene regulation driven by the circadian cycle, using a thoughtful approachable tone to describe technological milestones that advanced our understanding of this complex mechanism of gene expression, as well as the work carried out by various laboratories over the past 25 years. Around the early 2000s, […]
Some species are more studied than others, and it is common to assume that what happens in a model plant like Arabidopsis applies to all other plant species. This is far from true. Recently, Cheng et al. explored stomatal development in the CAM succulent Kalanchoë laxiflora. Stomata are epidermal pores that control gas exchange and […]
Nanodomains, also known as lipid rafts, temporarily group proteins within the plasma membrane, to efficiently perform cellular processes such as extracellular sensing. This study examines the unclear association dynamic of a very important plant plasma membrane receptor family, the Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor Kinases (LRR-RKs), known for their critical functions in development, immunity, and reproduction. Using […]
Despite the usefulness of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for linking DNA variation to agronomic traits, GWAS are focused on detecting common alleles and often fail to detect less-common, rare variants. Rare variants may account for a significant portion of the heritability behind complex traits and could make meaningful contributions to crop resistance and adaptability. In […]