Review: Biomolecular condensates in photosynthesis and metabolism ($) (Curr. Opin. Plant Biol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyBiomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles with the capacity to spatially concentrate biomolecules. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is one mechanism of condensate formation in which demixing of macromolecules leads to separation into dense and light phases. Photosynthetic organisms like…
Roles for this ROP GTPase in subcellular and tissue-level patterning (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyRho-of-plants (ROP) proteins are master regulators of cell polarity within plants and influence cell wall deposition, tissue development, and several signaling processes. However, they are quite difficult to study: attempts to form a fluorescent ROP fusion protein have proven elusive, and there are multiple…
A cross-kingdom conserved ER-phagy receptor maintains ER homeostasis during stress (eLIFE)
Plant Science Research WeeklyQuality control of the protein folding mechanism in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which selectively eliminates or recycles unwanted cytoplasmic components, is recognized by specific autophagy receptors. Selective removal of certain ER domains by the autophagy pathway (termed as ER-phagy) is controlled…
POME: Quantitative and dynamic cell polarity tracking pipeline (bioRxiv)
Plant Science Research WeeklyMany proteins polarize in the cell creating a subcellular niche for various functions. Asymmetric distribution of proteins is a general mechanism for localized growth, directional long-range signaling, cell migration, and asymmetric cell divisions. Well-known examples of polarity proteins include PIN-FORMED1…
Development and cell cycle dynamics of the root apical meristem in the fern Ceratopteris richardii (bioRxiv)
Plant Science Research Weekly
Roots are essential organs for nutrient and water uptake and have been extensively investigated in angiosperms. Many studies suggest that roots originated through convergent evolution in vascular plants, a clade that includes seed plants and ferns. Besides Arabidopsis and crops, little is known about…
The transcription factor bZIP60 modulates the heat shock response in maize (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyDuring heat stress, heat shock transcription factors upregulate heat shock protein genes and give rise to the heat shock response (HSR) that occurs in the cytoplasm, while in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the unfolded protein response (UPR) is also activated during heat stress. Both HSR and UPR cause…
More than photosynthesis: The chloroplast’s role in plant cell defense pathways ($) (Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyChloroplasts are involved in various plant cell functions outside of photosynthesis including defense activation. How is the chloroplast able to do so? In this study, Medina-Puche et al. characterized the molecular function and cellular localization of the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-derived C4 protein.…
Review: Compartmentalization drives the evolution of symbiotic cooperation (Proc. Roy. Soc.)
Plant Science Research Weekly
Many plants take advantage of microbial symbionts to boost their nutrient uptake, with classic examples provided by mycorrhizal fungi and the legume/Rhizobia partnership. Similar symbiotic partners are found in other domains of life, including the coral/dinoflagellate symbiosis, and the symbiosis…
Hydration-dependent phase separation of a prion-like protein regulates seed germination during water stress (bioRxiv)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlant seeds can remain dormant for several years under stress conditions and subsequently germinate once favorable conditions return. Even though this phenomenon has been known for many years, what keeps the seed from germinating during the unfavorable conditions, especially during water deficit conditions,…