Efficient nitrogen uptake is essential for plant growth. Hinckley et al. have characterized HRS1 HOMOLOG 5 (HHO5), a transcription factor in Arabidopsis that had been previously overlooked compared to the NIGT1 family. Through a single T-DNA insertion mutation, the authors show HHO5 acts as a non-redundant and physiologically distinct regulatory player in the nitrogen uptake […]
Scientists have been curious as to how the shoot meristem maintains two adjacent cell populations that respond oppositely to the same systemic flowering signal. In this study by Huang et al., the authors reveal that LEAFY (LFY) transcription factor directly binds to the DNA of TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) and regulates its expression. Using mutant studies […]
Deadly blight caused by the fungal pathogen (Cryphonectria parasitica) and root rot caused by an oomycete pathogen have pushed the American chestnuts toward extinction. In this study by Westbrook et al., the authors highlight the ongoing restoration strategies aiming to return the previously dominant American chestnut to its native range. The authors implemented a multi-strategic […]
In humans and several mammals, the alterations in DNA methylation are a critical aging biomarker also known as the ‘Epigenetic Clock’. In this study by Dai et al., the authors examined the process of DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis plants to identify if this molecular marker of aging functions similarly as in animals. They observed that […]