Entries by Mary Williams

Photosynthesis-dependent H2O2 transfer from chloroplasts to nuclei provides a high-light signalling mechanism

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Because most chloroplast proteins are encoded in the nuclear genome, there must be ways for signals from the chloroplast to inform the nucleus and direct changes in gene expression. Several candidates have been proposed as chloroplast-to-nucleus (retrograde) signals. Using hydrogen-peroxide (H2O2) specific sensors, Exposito-Rodriguez et al. show that upon illumination with high light, hydrogen peroxide […]

Embryo/endosperm separation through formation of an extra-cuticular sheath at the embryo surface

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Following double fertilization, the embryo and the endosperm form within a developing seed. In Arabidopsis, the endosperm is somewhat transient, as most of the space it occupies is eventually taken over by the embryo. The question of how the embryo pushes aside the endosperm has not been fully clear. Previous studies showed that the surface […]

Emission of volatile organic compounds from petunia flowers is facilitated by an ABC transporter

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Plants can emit up to 10% of the carbon they fix as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which function in abiotic stress tolerance, pollinator attraction, signalling between plants, and defending against pathogens and herbivores. It has been an open question whether these small molecules pass directly and passively through the plasma membrane or whether their transport […]

Acetate-mediated novel survival strategy against drought in plants ($)

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Kim et al. explored the molecular basis for the drought tolerance previously observed for mutants of histone deacetylase HDA6. They observed that genes involved in acetate production are upregulated in hda6 mutants and in drought-stressed plants. Furthermore, acetate biosynthesis mutants are more sensitive to drought, indicating a role for acetate in drought tolerance. Finally, they […]

Review: Quantitative monitoring and control of plant signalling through novel theoretical–experimental approaches

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Samodelov and Zurbriggen describe approaches to exquisitely fine-tune protein and metabolite expression levels through a variety of synthetic and semi-synthetic biology approaches. For example, optigenetics tools enable gene expression to be activated precisely via a light beam; when combined with downstream regulators including miRNAs and inducible protein degradation tags, the gene product can be reliably […]

Review: Exploiting induced and natural epigenetic variation for crop improvement

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Variation provides the raw material for selection and improvement. Springer and Schmitz describe how natural and induced epigenetic variation supplements genetic variation. This review starts with a description of epigenetics, epigenomics (the genome-wide distribution of epigenetic information), and the origin and maintenance of epigenetic marks. Epigenetic variation can arise spontaneously but also from chemical treatments […]

What We’re Reading: July 14

July 14, 2017 /0 Comments/in , , /by

Review: Exploiting induced and natural epigenetic variation for crop improvement Variation provides the raw material for selection and improvement. Springer and Schmitz describe how natural and induced epigenetic variation supplements genetic variation. This review starts with a description of epigenetics, epigenomics (the genome-wide distribution of epigenetic information), and the origin and maintenance of epigenetic marks. […]

Speed breeding: a powerful tool to accelerate crop research and breeding

July 11, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Watson and Ghosh et al. describe protocols to accelerate the lifecycle of several crop species using “speed breeding”, which essentially involves extending the daylength to 22 hours with supplemental lighting. They describe methods and results from glasshouse and growth chamber speed breeding. In spite of greatly shortened generation times, seed production was similar for the […]