Pectate lyases prune pectin to potentiate stomatal dynamics
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellChen et al. uncover the effects of a pectate lyase-like gene on cell wall mechanics and cell pressurization in guard cells. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab161
By Yintong Chen and Charles T. Anderson
Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University…
EAR domain-containing transcription factors attract PRC2 repression machinery to chromatin
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellBaile et al. discover how EAR domain-containing transcription factors recruit the polycomb group complex PRC2 to mediate gene repression in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab139
By Fernando Baile and Myriam Calonje
Institute of Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis…
Regulation of protein secretion in tapetal cells
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellGoodman et al. uncover the roles of ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) proteins in the exocytosis of plasma membrane and secreted proteins in tapetal cells during pollen development. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab132
By Marisa Otegui
Background:…
LARP6C reveals its double face during plant fertilization
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellBilley et al. uncover the roles of LARP6C as a translational repressor in dormant pollen and an activator when the pollen “awakens”. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab131
By Elodie Billey1,2,3, Said Hafidh4, Cécile Bousquet-Antonelli1,2
1 CNRS LGDP-UMR5096, 58 Av.…
NF-YCs mediate plant growth during the dark-to-light transition
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellZhang et al. uncover the roles of NF-YC transcription factors in repressing brassinosteroid biosynthesis and signaling to mediate photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis.
Background: Seedlings, which germinate in the soil, generally undergo rapid hypocotyl elongation to seek light for growth and development.…
Repeat yourself: A new way to self-express
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellReinar et al. uncover the effects of allelic variation in short tandem repeats across natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana on gene expression.
By Kjetill Jakobsen1, Melinka Butenko2, and William Reinar1
1Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), University of Oslo, Department…
Psst! Pass it on: How the message to make a new root alters gene expression
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellGala et al. perform single cell RNA sequencing to reveal molecular details about lateral root initiation.
By Amy Lanctot, Hardik Gala, Jennifer Nemhauser
University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
Background: Roots anchor the plant in place and allow it take up needed water and nutrients.…
Membrane Insertion of Plastidic β-barrel Proteins
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellGross et al. describe how plastidic β-barrel proteins are inserted into the outer envelopes of plastids. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab052
By Nicole Spies, Lucia Gross, and Enrico Schleiff
Background: Due to their endosymbiotic origin, chloroplasts possess both an outer…
Molecular Mechanism for the CO-FT Module
The Plant Cell: In a NutshellLv et al. investigate the molecular basis for the specific regulation of FT by CONSTANS. The Plant Cell (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koab016
By Xinchen Lv and Jiamu Du
Background: During the floral transition, plants perceive various environmental and endogenous signals to trigger…