Recent Posts

Structural evolution drives diversification of the large LRR-RLK gene family (New Phytol)

Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) act as signaling receptors, are the largest plant-specific protein kinase family, and are involved in myriad developmental activities and defense systems. Due to the large number of proteins in this group, their diversification and consequent redundancy…

Mystery of adventitious root formation in grapevine (Plant Physiol)

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) are clonally propagated by stem cuttings, which depends on the formation of adventitious (stem-borne) roots. In this paper Chen at al., showed the function of microRNA encoded peptides (miPEPs) in adventitious root formation of cultured grape plantlets. MicroRNA biogenesis…

Innovation, conservation, and repurposing of gene function in plant root cell type development (bioRxiv)

Roots have many specialized cells arranged in concentric circles that are functionally homologous among various plant species but with varying cell-type-specific developmental programs. To further understand these developmental programs, Kajala et al. performed TRAPseq (Translating Ribosome Affinity…

Trichomes: a means for foliar water uptake (FWU) (Plant J)

Foliar water uptake (FWU); water uptake through the leaf surface, is observed in several species and helps in drought conditions through water uptake from fog, snow, dew and rain. In this paper, Schreel et al. showed trichomes as a major source of FWU in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) plants. Trichomes are…

How plants keep their microbiota healthy (Nature)

The large apoplastic intercellular space of plant leaves creates nutrient-rich niches for microbial colonization. To date, whether and how plants control the composition of leaf microbiota is poorly understood. Chen et al. reported that the Arabidopsis quadruple mutant (min7fls2efrcerk1 or mfec)…

Extensive inter-plant protein transfer between Cuscuta parasites and their host plants (Mol. Plant)

Cuscuta (dodders) are parasites that survive on other host plants.Liu et al. found more than 1500 proteins are transferred between Cucuta and host plants forming a sort of interplant chemical communication. Furthermore, proteins could move between two hosts that are connected by dodder bridges, and retain…

Nikolaeva et al.’s reference book on seed dormancy and germination ($) (Ecology)

In 1985, Marianna Nikolaeva, Marina Razumova, and Valentina Gladkova published the Reference Book on Dormant Seed Germination. There they provided details on the germination ecology of different plant species –mostly from Northern Europe and Russia. However, since the original publication was in Russian,…

Plant Science Research Weekly: April 24th

Reviews: The physiology of plant responses to drought, and forests and drought ($) The increasing global population causes an increasing need for food, but the changing climate means increasing drought occurrences. The April 17 2020 special issue of Science focusses on drought and its effects on…

Recognizing Plant Physiology authors: Daniel Solymosi

Daniel Solymosi, first author of Cytochrome cM decreases photosynthesis under photomixotrophy in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Current Position: PhD student in the Photosynthetic Microbes research group, Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Finland Education: BSc…