
Gibberellin DELLA signaling targets the retromer complex to redirect protein trafficking to the plasma membrane (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyGibberellins including gibberellic acid (GA) are plant hormones required for growth and development. GA has been reported to regulate tropic responses by modulating plasma membrane localization of PIN auxin transporters. In this study, Salanenka et al. focused on the mechanism of GA-mediated protein…

Distinct sets of tethering complexes, SNARE complexes, and Rab GTPases mediate membrane fusion at the vacuole in Arabidopsis (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyIn plant cells, vacuoles store and degrade wastes including proteins. Vacuolar targeting and fusion by endosomes are specified by SNARE complexes at the membrane. In this study, Takemoto et al. studied the function of two tethering complexes, HOPS (Homotypic fusion and Protein Sorting) and CORVET (Class…

A phosphoinositide map at the shoot apical meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana (BMC Biol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlasma membrane lipids including phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) are often depicted as forming a featureless plane that serves mainly as a barrier, but in reality they show considerable spatial diversity. PIPs contribute to anchoring and positioning proteins and protein networks, so there is much…

Microtubule reassembly mediated by ethylene in response to salt stress (Plant Physiol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyIt has been shown previously that cortical microtubule reorganization contributes to adaptation to salt stress; however, the upstream factors that signal this response are not know. Ethylene has been shown to regulate microtubule stability and organization in roots and etiolated hypocotyls. Ethylene…

Review. Rise of a cereal killer: The biology of Magnaporthe oryzae biotrophic growth
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae causes one of the most destructive diseases of rice, destroying around 10-30% of rice production world-wide. The pathogen undergoes different developmental changes and produce specialized infectious structures in order to rapidly proliferate within the host cells.…

Review. Plant cell wall-mediated immunity: cell wall changes trigger disease resistance responses
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlant cell walls have recently been revealed as an essential factor of plant environment monitoring system, much more than just a passive defensive barrier as previously thought. In a recent work, Bacete et al. have reviewed how changes to plant cell wall integrity affect disease resistance. More specifically,…

Ethylene signaling modulates cortical microtubule reassembly in response to salt stress
Plant Science Research WeeklyEthylene is an important mediator during plant adaptation to salt stress. During salt stress, ethylene has been shown to promote microtubule (MT) stability and organization. Dou et al. further examine this pathway using Ag+ to block ethylene signaling in addition to using various mutants. In wildtype…

Ribosome Production Under Surveillance
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellMaekawa et al. find a ribosome production monitoring system in Arabidopsis thaliana Plant Cell (2017) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00778
By Shugo Maekawa, Tetsuya Ishida, Shuichi Yanagisawa
Background: Protein is produced by ribosomes consisting of a number of proteins and several RNAs (ribosomal…

Structure of KDM5 Gives Insight to Histone Demethylation
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellYang et al. reveal a conserved H3K4me3 recognition mechanism shared by both plant and animal KDM5 histone demethylases. The Plant Cell (2017). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00666
By Z. Yang, Q. Qiu, X. Cao and J. Du
Background: Histone methylation is a conserved gene regulation mechanism in plants…
