Entries by Mary Williams

Mediator complex subunits in the regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis ($)

December 15, 2017 in , , , /by

The Mediator complex is a transcriptional co-regulator that is conserved across kingdoms. Several subunits have been identified through genetic approaches in Arabidopsis. Recessive loss-of-function mutants of MED5 subunits cause phenylpropanoid overaccumulation, but ef4-3, a semi-dominant mutation of a MED5 subunit leads to dwarfism and decreased phenylpropanoid accumulation. Other studies suggest that MED5 may function as […]

The Brassicaceae family displays divergent, shoot-skewed NLR resistance gene expression

December 15, 2017 in , , , /by

NLR (Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat resistance) genes help plants recognize pathogens. Munch et al. looked at expression pattern data of 1,235 NLRs from nine plant species. The distribution of NLR gene expression between shoot and root is relatively constant within a species, and for most species is skewed towards root-specific expression. This is interesting because […]

What we’re Reading: December 15th

December 14, 2017 in , , , /by

Point of View: A transatlantic perspective on 20 emerging issues in biological engineering studies “Horizon scanning” describes the process of trying to rationally predict the future.  Wintle et al. describe the results from a horizon-scanning exercise to identify emerging issues in biological engineering. The authors used an iterative approach to identify key issues in the […]

Update: Seedling establishment: a dimmer switch-regulated process between dark and light signaling

December 13, 2017 in , , , , /by

By Charlotte M.M. Gommers and Elena Monte Abstract By being exquisitely sensitive to their light surroundings, plants are able to continuously adjust their growth to optimize fitness. Darkness is an important cue for plants and a time when they actively grow and develop through regulation of the appropriate gene networks and biochemical changes. Although plants […]

Update: Finite element modeling of shape changes in plant cells

December 13, 2017 in , , , , /by

By Amir Bidhendi and Anja Geitmann Abstract Plant cells come in a striking variety of different shapes. Shape formation in plant cells is controlled through modulation of the cell wall polymers and propelled by the turgor pressure. Understanding the shaping aspects of plant cells requires knowledge of the molecular players and the biophysical conditions under […]

Do Lipid Droplets Exist in the Chloroplast Stroma?

December 11, 2017 in , , , , /by

Understanding the metabolic pathways underlying oil production and the precise intracellular localization of lipid droplets is crucial for successfully engineering microalgae for biofuel production. The microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii accumulates considerable amounts of starch and triacylglycerol (TAG) under N deprivation or high-light stress conditions. Starch undoubtedly accumulates within the chloroplast, but controversy exists over the localization of […]

LYS12 LysM receptor decelerates Phytophthora palmivora disease progression in Lotus japonicus

December 8, 2017 in , , , /by

It might sound odd, but so far it was hard to find a nice pathogen infecting model legume plants. Fuechtbauer and colleagues showed the capacity of an oomycete (Phytophtora palmivora) to infect Lotus japonicus and describe how a LysM receptor, LYS12, is partly mediating this plant-microbe interaction. Usually, plant responses to pathogens depend on recognition […]

Sequestration and activation of plant toxins protect the western corn rootworm from enemies at multiple trophic levels

December 8, 2017 in , , , /by

Plants are attacked by diverse herbivores but have also evolved strategies to resist them. However, highly adapted herbivores exist, including those that have evolved the ability to stabilize, sequester and reactivate plant toxins. This evolved trait has contributed to herbivore defense against higher trophic level enemies. A clear ecological significance of this interaction is shown […]

Dual impact of elevated temperature on plant defense and bacterial virulence in Arabidopsis

December 8, 2017 in , , , /by

Huot et al. describe how elevated temperature (30 °C) enhances Arabidopsis thaliana disease susceptibility to the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000): this includes an increase of bacterial type III secretion suggesting that increased Pst DC3000 virulence at 30°C is linked to increased translocation of bacterial effector proteins. The authors also found that […]