It takes two to tango: two GNOMs have to activate ARF1 together
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellBrumm et al. investigate how the protein GNOM activates dimers of the small GTPase ARF1 and inserts them very close to each other during vesicle formation. The Plant Cell (2020) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00240
By Sabine Brumm 1,2 and Gerd Jürgens 1, ZMBP, University of Tübingen (1), Sainsbury…
Secret Talents: STARCH SYNTHASE 5—Not an Enzyme, but Very Active!
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellAbt et al. found that Arabidopsis SS5, a protein homologous to typical starch-synthesizing enzymes, is itself enzymatically inactive, but rather has an important role in the starch granule initiation process. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00946
By Melanie R. Abt and Samuel C. Zeeman, Institute…
Lipid kinases in signaling and metabolism
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellAngkawijaya et al. investigate diacylglycerol kinase function in Arabidopsis phospholipid signaling and metabolism. The Plant Cell (2020) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00251
By Artik Elisa Angkawijaya, Van C. Nguyen, Farrel Gunawan, and Yuki Nakamura, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia…
It’s a TRAPP! Arabidopsis Transport Protein Particle (TRAPP) Complexes Contain a Novel Plant-Specific Subunit
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In BriefMembrane vesicle trafficking is the process of moving and distributing signaling molecules from their place of synthesis or capture to target locations inside or outside the cell. Vesicles, mobile membrane compartments produced from the endoplasmic reticulum, carry proteins and other molecules to an…
SMAX1-dependent seed germination bypasses GA signalling in Arabidopsis and Striga (Nature Plants)
Plant Science Research WeeklyStrigolactones (SL) are germination cues for parasitic plants, as their seeds will not germinate until they perceive SL exuded from the host plant. In contrast, gibberellins (GA) are the dominant germination hormone in non-parasitic plants; GA-mediated degradation of DELLA repressors permits germination.…
PIN FORMED 2 modulates the transport of arsenite in Arabidopsis thaliana (Plant Comms.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPIN FORMED (PIN) proteins are known for their directional auxin transport capacity. Ashraf et al. found that auxin transporter PINs have sequence similarity to bacterial arsenite transporter arsB, yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae arsenite transporter SsAcr3, and arsenic hyperaccumulator fern Pteris vittata…
Tissue-resolved multi-omics atlas of Arabidopsis (Nature)
Plant Science Research WeeklyArabidopsis as a model system has been intensively studied over the past twenty years, but the proteome of Arabidopsis has been less well characterized. Here, Mergner et al. report the first 30-tissue-type integrated proteome, phosphoproteome and transcriptome atlas of Arabidopsis. The data cover the…
An RNA thermoswitch regulates daytime growth in Arabidopsis (Nature Plants)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlants are sessile organisms and as such they must be highly responsive to environmental cues including temperature, and adjust their growth and development accordingly. Considering that mean global surface temperatures are expected to continue to rise dramatically in the 21st century, it is crucial…
Branch Formation (or Not) in the Leaf Axil
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellLi et al. report a regulatory module that controls the initiation of axillary meristems, thereby determining plant branching. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00012
By Yu Li and Yunhai Li
State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular…