Review: The evolution of root branching: increasing the level of plasticity (J Exp Bot) ($)
Plant Science Research WeeklyWithout roots, plants are unable to gain height due to poor anchorage and are less fit for survival outside of humid environments. Root branching allows plants to better adapt to their environmental conditions and improves their capability to forage for water and nutrients. In this review, Motte and…
Exploring Pollen Patterns to Learn How Cells Create Distinct Domains
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellLee et al. identify a protein involved in pollen aperture development and the formation of distinct membrane domains in microspores. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00442
By Byung Ha Lee and Anna Dobritsa
Background: Pollen grains are famous for their ability to develop various intricate patterns…
SUMO Aids Rapid Regulation of Hormone Responses
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellSrivastava et al. identify a mechanism for rapid regulation of jasmonic acid signaling. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00036
Background: The sessile nature of plants dictates that growth must be integrated with changes in the natural environment. Modulation of hormone signalling pathways…
Programmed Cell Death in the Root Cap
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellHuysmans et al. identify cell death regulatory proteins in root cap cells. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00293
Background: Some plants, such as giant sequoia trees, can grow into the “Largest Living Things on Earth.” Ironically, most of a tree’s biomass is actually not alive but…
PGI1 is a Determinant of Seed Yield
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellBahaji et al. identify an important player determining seed yield in Arabidopsis. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00312
Background: Oilseeds are major sources of calories for human consumption and have a significant agricultural and industrial value. Seed number and weight are the two main components…
Nectary Development in Petunia and Arabidopsis, a Sweet Story!
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellMorel et al. study the nectar-producing organs in flowers and identify major regulators of nectary size https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00425
By Patrice Morel and Michiel Vandenbussche
Background: Nectaries are the organs that produce nectar, a sugary substance that motivates pollinators such as…
Proteins that Function in Lipid Droplets
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellKretzschmar et al. study the proteome of lipid droplets and identify a protein that functions in protein degradation during germination https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00276
Background: Lipid droplets (LDs) are structures inside cells that store oil or fat, for example, in oil seeds. They were once…
Gatekeepers of Storage Lipids in Seeds: The Switch-Off Mechanism
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellDeruyffelaere et al. investigate lipid mobilization during seed germination. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00275
By Sabine D’ANDREA and Corine ENARD
Background: In cells, storage lipids are compartmentalized in specialized organelles called lipid droplets (LDs). The structure…
BBX28 Negatively Regulates Photomorphogenesis
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellLin et al. show that B-BOX DOMAIN PROTEIN28 plays a role in regulating plant development in response to light signals. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00226.
By Dongqing Xu and Xing Wang Deng
Background: Sunlight is one of the key environmental cues influencing plant growth and development.…