Extensive transcriptomic and epigenomic remodelling occurs during Arabidopsis thaliana germination
Plant Science Research WeeklyUnderstanding the complex regulatory mechanisms that contribute to germination and seedling establishment requires integration of gene-expression, transcription factors (TFs), DNA methylation, smallRNA data, and their interactions. Narsai et al. describe the first dynamic transcription factor network…
Maternal components of RdDM are required for seed development in Brassica rapa
Plant Science Research WeeklyRNA directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is an epigenetic process in which plant double-strand RNAs are processed into small RNAs (sRNA) that add repressive DNA methylation to homologous DNA sequences. RdDM primarily acts on repetitive DNA and transposable elements (TEs). Despite its important biological…
Wheat research discovery yields genetic secrets that could shape future crops
Blog, Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: NewsA new study published in The Plant Cell has isolated a gene controlling shape and size of spikelets in wheat. Materials provided by the John Innes Centre.
A new study has isolated a gene controlling shape and size of spikelets in wheat in a breakthrough which could help breeders deliver yield…
RH8-PP2CA interaction in ABA signaling ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, Research BlogIt is well understood that abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits PPC2A phosphatase activity, which subsequently relieves phosphate-induced inhibition of a kinase interacting partner. This pathway composes the ‘core’ ABA signaling pathway, activating process involved in the ABA response such as stomatal closure…
GIF transcriptional coregulators control root meristem homeostasis ($)
Plant Science Research Weekly, Research BlogTranscription factor GRFs (GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR) are specifically expressed in TACs (transit-amplifying cells) and promote rapid cell divisions. Their expression is repressed in stem cells through miR396. In this work, they studied the functions of small cofactors known as GIFs (GRF-INTERACTING FACTORs)…
Trichome branching is regulated by the m6A reader ECT2 in Arabidopsis (OA)
Plant Science Research Weekly, Research BlogMethylation at position N6 of adenosines (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA chemical modification. It influences gene activity at the post-transcriptional level and is thus important for development. m6A is decoded by reader proteins. While the repertoire of reader proteins has been extensively studied…
Photoactivated CRY1 and phyB interact directly with AUX/IAA proteins to inhibit auxin signaling in Arabidopsis (OA)
Plant Science Research Weekly, Research BlogSo far we know that light inhibits hypocotyl cell elongation and that the master regulatory plant hormone auxin induces hypocotyl elongation. Light signal depends on cryptochrome (CRY1) and phytochrome (PhyB). Auxin signal follows the traditional TIR1/AFB receptor-mediated degradation of AUX/IAA repressor.…
TSO1 and MYB3R1 form a regulatory module to coordinate cell proliferation with differentiation (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyIn order to ensure proper development, plants need to balance cell proliferation and differentiation. Mutation in TSO1 causes disorganization of cell layers, leading to drastic reduction in fertility. A mutagenesis screen for rescue of fertility in the tso1-1 background identified MYB3R1 as major partner…
GSN1 coordinates grain number and grain size (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyGrain yield is determined by both grain number and grain weight. There is often a trade-off between these traits; for example, increased grain number is often associated with decreased grain weight. Using a forward-genetic approach, Guo et al. have identified a rice gene, GRAIN SIZE AND NUMBER1 (GSN1)…