Zhang et al. investigate the regulation of apical hook development in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00018. By Xing Zhang, Yichuan Wang and Hongwei Guo. Background: For sessile plants, survival in dynamic nature is never easy! The very first challenge most seed plants need to overcome is protruding through the covering soil without damaging […]
Zhang et al. show that a single-nucleotide polymorphism in a hairpin RNA promoter contributes to Alternaria alternata leaf spot resistance in apple and could serve as a marker to distinguish susceptible versus resistant apple cultivars. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00042. Background: Apple Alternaria leaf spot is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of apple. Chemical treatments are commonly […]
Zhang et al. investigate the assembly of a molecular motor that produces cellular ATP in chloroplasts https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00075. By Lin Zhang, Lianwei Peng and Jean-David Rochaix Background: The F-type ATP synthase produces nearly all of the cellular ATP, the universal energy currency required for the biochemical reactions in living cells. This enzyme is one of the […]
Background: Chloroplasts are the major powerhouse of plant and algal cells, where photosynthesis—the conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds using sunlight energy—occurs. Chloroplasts are also where important cell components (such as membrane lipids and pigments) and energy-rich compounds (such as starch and fatty acids) are made. Because plants and algae often face strong variations […]
Richardson et al. explore the molecular topology of the chloroplast transit peptide and its nucleotide-dependent movement within the chloroplast protein import channel. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00172. By Lynn GL Richardson and Danny J Schnell Background: Chloroplasts, the site of photosynthesis and specialized metabolism, are a defining feature of plant cells. Chloroplast function is dependent on the […]
Franck et al. demonstrate that protein phosphatases ATUNIS1 and 2 negatively regulate cell wall integrity in pollen tubes and root hairs of Arabidopsis. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00284 By C. M. Franck, J. Westermann, S. Bürssner, R. Lentz, D. Lituiev, and A. Boisson-Dernier Background: Plant cells are protected from their environment by a rigid, yet flexible […]
Higashi et al. investigate the function of a heat-inducible lipase in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00347 By Yasuhiro Higashi and Kazuki Saito Background: Land plants suffer from high-temperature stress, exacerbated by climate changes in recent years. Heat stress can cause membrane damage, and plants have developed a mechanism to change the membrane lipid composition […]
Liao et al. performed comparative phylogenomic analysis on rice centromeres. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00163 By Yi Liao and Mingsheng Chen Background: Centromeres are necessary for faithful chromosome segregation in eukaryotic organisms. The genomic regions conferring centromere function/identity in most plants and animals are composed of large arrays of satellite repeats, surrounded by other highly repetitive […]
Irmisch et al. investigate enzymes of the ornamental plant montbretia involved in a complex flavonoid biosynthetic system relevant to human health. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00406 Background: Type-2 diabetes is a major health challenge of the 21st century requiring new treatments. Plants produce a vast array of natural products that are widely used in traditional and modern medicine. […]
