Structure of Methylthioalkylmalate Synthase
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellKumar et al. uncover the molecular basis for the diversification of the agriculturally important methionine-derived glucosinolates in plants. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00046
Background: The chemical diversity of specialized metabolites in plants helps them to better adapt and survive…
Six Days, Seven Nights: The Transcriptional Speed of Seed Development
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In BriefThe development of the seed is a complex dance of cell division and differentiation, including transcriptional and genomic repatterning. Measuring gene expression by high-throughput RNA-Seq is routine in laboratories, and numerous seed transcriptomes and microarrays have long been published for maize…
New player in plant DNA damage repair and seed development
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellDiaz et al. characterize NSE4A subunit of SMC5/6 complex and demonstrate that it is important for maintaining genome stability and normal seed development. The Plant Cell (2019). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00043
By M. Díaz, P. Pecinkova, A. Nowicka, C. Baroux, T. Sakamoto, P.Y. Gandha, H. Jeřábková,…
Father Knows Best? Small RNA Pathway Controls Endosperm Response to Paternal Genomic Dosage
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In BriefIn flowering plants, seed viability is dependent upon the endosperm, a triploid tissue produced by fertilization of a diploid central cell by a haploid sperm. Most endosperm genes are expressed in a 2:1 maternal to paternal ratio reflecting the genomic DNA content. Consequently, balance between maternal…
The unknown unknowns of plant cell biology: identifying the functions of conserved, single-copy genes
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellWang et al. examine single-copy, conserved genes of unknown function, with OPENER as proof of concept. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00033
By Wei Wang and Totte Niittylä, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Sweden
Background: Thale cress or Arabidopsis thaliana was the first sequenced…
Reflections on Plant Cell Classics
Blog, Pubs Pages, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: NewsIn 2019, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Plant Cell. In recognition of this milestone, we have solicted a series of reflections by members of the editorial board and others. We asked them to write about one or more memorable and exciting articles published in The Plant Cell, and how it…
Too Close to the Flame: Duplicated ICARUS Genes and Growth at Higher Temperatures
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In BriefPlants can adjust their growth and reproduction cycles according to the local climate they experience, but how will they respond when ambient temperatures rise? Most Arabidopsis accessions respond by increasing cell elongation and accelerated flowering, but some cannot cope with higher temperatures and…
White clover - out of the freezer and into the world
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellGriffiths et al. examine how allopolyploidy facilitated the expansion of white clover. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00606
By Andrew Griffiths; Forage Genetics, AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand and Stig Uggerhøj Andersen; Department of Molecular…
A Reversible Switch for Algal Photosynthesis
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellRoth et al. investigate how a green alga turns photosynthesis off and on when glucose is added and then removed from the culture medium. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00742
By Melissa Roth and Krishna Niyogi, University of California-Berkeley
Background: Photosynthesis is the life-sustaining…