Entries by Suresh Damodaran

Combinatorial interactions of the LEC1 transcription factor specify diverse developmental programs during soybean seed development (PNAS) ($)

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LEC1 (LEAFY COTYLEDON 1) transcriptional factor regulates multiple developmental processes during different stages of seed development including macromolecule accumulation, inhibition of germination and morphogenesis. In this paper Jo et al., have uncovered the mechanism of LEC1 functioning with other transcriptional factors through co-expression analysis of genes to regulate downstream gene expression to fine-tune seed development. […]

Plant gene editing through de novo induction of meristems ($) (Nature Biotechnol)

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A fast method of gene editing using Agrobacterium was developed to deliver combinations of the developmental regulators including WUSCHEL and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS along with gene-editing reagents. The expression of specific developmental regulators led to the induction of meristems and expression of the regulators was monitored by the tagged Luciferase marker expression. The shoot-like tissue was subsequently […]

Assessing the sustainability of post-Green Revolution cereals in India ($) (PNAS)

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The major objectives of sustainable agriculture are to fulfill food requirements, maintain a safe environment and profitable economy, and withstand climate change. Here, Davis et al. discuss a multidimensional approach to achieve sustainable agriculture in India by transitioning some areas from growing rice to growing coarse grains such as sorghum and millet (also known as […]

Global transcriptome analysis reveals circadian control of splicing events in Arabidopsis thaliana (bioRxiv)

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Developmental programming, metabolism and plant growth are regulated by the circadian rhythm that integrates environmental signals and plant growth. In this paper, Romanowski et al. have used the RNAseq approach to determine post-transcriptional regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically alternate splicing regulated by circadian rhythm. Tissues from 15-day old plants with altered light conditions (affecting growth), were harvested […]

One thousand plant transcriptomes and the phylogenomics of green plants (Nature)

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With a collaborative effort by multiple laboratories across the world, a database of transcriptomics data has been generated for 1124 species encompassing green plants, glaucophytes, and red algae. This extensive work referred to as onekp (one thousand plant transcriptomes) will aid in researchers to understand the functional diversity of gene families, species relationships among several […]

Transcriptional regulatory framework for vascular cambium development in Arabidopsis roots ($) (Nature Plants)

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Plant vascular tissues continue to proliferate post-embryogenesis via the cambium, a lateral meristem. Until recently the transcription factors regulating meristem maintenance and promoting differentiation were still unknown. In this paper, Zhang et al. identified multiple transcription factors using global transcriptomics of cambium-specific tissue harvested using fluorescent activated cell sorting. Using differential analysis, multiple transcriptional factors […]

A Simple and sensitive SYBR Gold-based assay to quantify DNA-Protein interactions ($) (Plant Molecular Biology)

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Gene regulation occurs at multiple levels including transcription. During transcription, transcriptional factors bind to specific target sequence which allows the recruitment of other proteins including RNA polymerase that enables transcription. Understanding such an intricate mechanism allows researchers to study the spatio-temporal expression pattern of genes necessary for development or inducing signals during biotic or abiotic […]

Fine control of aerenchyma and lateral root development through Aux/IAA- and ARF-dependent auxin signaling ($) (PNAS)

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Auxin plays a major role in plant development and can alter the developmental program following the stress response. In this paper, Yamauchi et al., have identified the auxin signaling cascade involved in the development of aerenchyma and regulators of this auxin signaling might also be involved in lateral root development. Aerenchyma is a gas-filled space […]

Auxin-sensitive AUX/IAA proteins mediate drought tolerance in Arabidopsis by regulating glucosinolates levels ($) (Nature Communication)

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Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites synthesized by plants as a defense compound against pathogen and herbivore. In this paper Salehin et al., have demonstrated regulation of aliphatic glucosinolate levels by auxin signaling that promotes drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. The Aux/IAA proteins are coreceptors of auxin and repress the activity of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) bound to […]