Natural variation in OsLG3 increases drought tolerance in rice (Plant Physiol)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThrough a GWAS study, Yu, Xiong et al. previously identified a transcription-factor encoding gene, OsLG3, with alleles that contribute to increased grain length in rice. In this new work, Xiong, Yu et al. showed that the same alleles of OsLG3 that confers longer grain length also enhance drought tolerance.…
Maintaining Cellular Phosphate
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellSegami et al. investigate cellular phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00911
Background: Many biological reactions, including the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA, proteins, and polysaccharides, produce inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). However, accumulation of PPi…
Ethylene-gibberellin signaling underlies adaptation of rice to periodic flooding ($) (Science)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe diverse responses of rice to flooding are really interesting. Many varieties die, some survive by essentially becoming metabolically quiescent to conserve their energy (which involves the Sub1 pathway), and some, called deepwater rice, respond through rapid elongation that elevates their leaves above…
When Lipids Meet Hormones: Plants’ Answer to Complex Stresses
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellWang et al. show that abscisic acid-inducible genes encode lipid degrading enzymes that release polyunsaturated fatty acids from chloroplast lipids as precursors for jasmonic acid production leading to biotic defenses in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00250
By Kun Wang and Igor Houwat
Background:…
Kinase STRK1 Phosphorylates Catalase to Enhance Rice Salt Tolerance
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellZhou et al. demonstrate that a kinase STRK1 can phosphorylate CatC to enhance rice salt toterance. The Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.01000
By Yan-Biao Zhou, Cong Liu, Jian-Zhong Lin and Xuan-Ming Liu
Background: Salt stress can significantly affect plant growth and agricultural…
A Lipid Synthesis Enzyme Confers Freezing Tolerance
Blog, Plant Physiology, Plant Physiology: On The InsideDespite major advances in understanding cold signaling, cold acclimation, and freezing protection in model and crop species, and extensive studies of natural variation in freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis accessions, the question of which genes and mechanisms underlie freezing tolerance of wild species…
Review. Out of shape during stress: a key role for auxin
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe plant hormone auxin is a major player in determining root growth and architecture, but we are just starting to understand how auxin distribution is altered by abiotic stresses. Kover et al. discuss how the “upside-down fountain” of auxin in the root is affected by abiotic stress conditions. Auxin…
Phosphate Translocation from Roots to Shoots is Precisely Modulated
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellYe et al. discover a protein that mediates phosphate translocation and is dependent on environmental phosphate supply. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00845
By Qing Ye and Yi-Fang Chen
Background: Phosphorus is a major essential nutrient for plant growth and development, and phosphate…
Protein Editing for Multi-Tasking
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellZauner et al. investigate the mechanism of protein re-purposing. The Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00963.
By Florian B. Zauner, Elfriede Dall and Hans Brandstetter
Background: Plants cannot run away from herbivores, drought, or heat. To withstand adverse conditions, plants have…