Wild tobacco genomes reveal the evolution of nicotine biosynthesis
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The genus Nicotiana encompasses several species and hybrids, the most famous being Nicotiana tabacum, cultivated for production of tobacco. Xu et al. sequenced the genome of Nicotiana attenuata and Nicotiana obtusifolia with an interest in identifying the origins of nicotine biosynthesis. Nicotine is…
Role of SPA proteins in COP1 subcellular localization ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchSPA (SUPPRESSOR OF PHYTOCHROME A-105) proteins form a complex with COP1 (CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1) and are required for COP1 to respond to changes in the light environment and transduce light signals and influence plant development. In this paper, Balcerowicz et al. investigated the importance…
Dehydration stress extends mRNA 3′ UTRs with noncoding RNA functions ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchSun et al. observed that under dehydration stress, many genes showed a 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) extension of roughly 200 – 800 nucleotides. The outcome of these extensions appears to be the regulation of other genes. For example, through their extension, many (more than 600) of the extended…
Identification of putative substrates of SEC2, a chloroplast inner envelope translocase
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchChloroplasts have evolved from photosynthetic bacteria, and genes necessary for chloroplast function have moved from the chloroplast to the nuclear genome of the host eukaryotic cell. Proteins encoded by these genes are made in the cytosol and imported into the chloroplast using protein translocases. …
Exploring the chemical diversity and distribution of marine cyanobacteria and algae through mass spectrometry
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchLike plants, algae and cyanobacteria produce a dizzying array of largely unexplored natural products that can be used as medicines, in biotechnology and in agriculture. Luzzatto-Knaan et al. used mass spectrometry (MS) to explore chemical diversity from marine samples collected across space and time.…
Review: Phosphate scouting by root tips ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchPhosphate is both really important (think of its abundance in DNA, RNA, ATP, and membrane lipids), and really difficult to assimilate due to its insolubility and immobility in soil. Phosphate is frequently limiting for growth, meaning that it is widely applied as fertilizer, but global supplies of phosphate…
Review: Auxin perception and downstream events ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchThe mechanism by which auxin alters patters of transcription through TIR1s, ARFs and IAA proteins is well established, but less clear is our understanding of how rapid, non-transcriptional auxin responses occur. APB1 was implicated in non-transcriptional responses, but in the past few years evidence…
Review: Ancestral alliances: Plant mutualistic symbioses with fungi and bacteria ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, ResearchMartin et al. have written a must-read review on the evolution of plant mutualistic symbioses and strategies through which hosts and microbes communicate and coordinate their activities. This review also covers the contributions of hormones in the formation of symbiotic tissues, and how the mutualistic…
What We're Reading: May 26th
Research, Research BlogReview: Enhancing genetic gain in the era of molecular breeding ($)
Yield is determined by the crop’s genetic potential and the realization of that potential as affected by agronomic practices and environmental factors. Xu et al. address how yields can be improved through enhancing genetic gain,…