Recent Posts

Metabolome divergence during maize domestication

Xu et al. identify metabolites targeted by selection during maize domestication. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00111 By Guanghui Xu State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, National Maize Improvement Center, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of…

RST1 regulates vacuolar trafficking

Zhao et al. identify RESURRECTION 1 as a suppressor of free1 that negatively regulates endomembrane trafficking. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00003 By Qiong Zhao The Chinese University of Hong Kong Background: Plants have an evolutionarily conserved endomembrane system, which…

A Maize Mutant Modifier Links Development and Defense

Anderson et al. identify a second site modifier that rescues a maize developmental mutant and report that it encodes a homolog of Arabidopsis ENHANCED DISEASE RESISTANCE4, providing insight into the integration of developmental control and immune responses. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00840 By…

TRAPP proteins as housekeepers of the plant trans-Golgi network/early endosome

Rosquete et al., identified a TRAPPIII tethering complex in plants and uncovered the role of the AtTRAPPC11 subunit in post Golgi trafficking and stress response. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00110 By Michel R. Rosquete and Georgia Drakakaki Background: Intracellular trafficking is…

Scaffolding Brassinosteroid Components to Improve Plant Growth

Amorim-Silva et al. identify scaffolding proteins that optimize BR signaling. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00150  By Vitor Amorim-Silva and Miguel Botella  Background: The plant hormone Brassinosteroid (BR) is essential for proper growth. This hormone is extracellularly perceived…

Local and Global Root Growth Dynamics in Maize

Jiang et al. use time-lapse 3D imaging, computer vision, and mathematical modeling to quantify root system architecture. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00015  By Ni Jiang and Christopher Topp, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center   Background: Root systems are the literal foundations…

Self-assembling organelles for CO2 fixation: stoichiometry and structural plasticity

Sun et al. investigate how carboxysomes are constructed and regulated in cyanobacteria. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00787 By Luning Liu Background: All cells are composed of well-defined compartments to encase enzymes and reactions to increase the efficiency of biological processes.…

Immunity-growth Trade-off in Plants

Jing et al. reveal how danger-associated peptides inhibit root growth in plants in response to pathogen attack. Plant Cell (2018) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00145.   Background: Plants defend themselves against pathogens and pests through an innate immune system that is activated by pathogen-associated…

Regulation and Function of a Plant Energy Sensor

Ramon et al. show how plants have modified the ancient, highly conserved eukaryotic energy sensor to better fit their unique lifestyle and cope with changing environmental conditions. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00500 By Nathalie Crepin and Filip Rolland, KU Leuven, Belgium Background:…