Correcting organellar spelling with RNA editors
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellOldenkott et al. use evolution to their advantage by testing whether independently evolved RNA editors can reciprocally correct the errors of organellar transcripts. The Plant Cell (2020) https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00311.
By Bastian Oldenkott and Mareike Schallenberg-Rüdinger, IZMB, University…
Ancient seeds reconstruction and the evolution of integuments (New Phytologist)
Plant Science Research Weekly
The origin of seeds - the specialized structures that contain and protect the developing embryos- is a key event in plant evolution. Primitive seeds comprise an exposed nucellus surrounded by a lobate integument; in contrast, extant seeds have one or more integuments fully enclosing the nucellus.…
Comparative profiling examines roles of DNA regulatory sequences and accessible chromatin during cold stress response in grasses
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In BriefPhysical access to regulatory DNA, including cis-regulatory sequences found within proximal promoters and distal enhancer elements, is a vital property of chromatin. In turn, their access is determined by nucleosome occupancy and post-translational modification of histone proteins. A continuum of chromatin…
The genome of Prasinoderma coloniale unveils the existence of a third phylum within green plants (Nature Ecol. Evol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe green plant lineage (Viridiplantae) has long been described as having a single origin (starting with the engulfment of a cyanobacteria-like endosymbiont) that has led to two phyla: the Streptophyta, including embryophytes (land plants) and some algae such as chara and nitella, and the Chlorophyta,…
Mutation bias shapes gene evolution in Arabidopsis thaliana (bioRxiv)
Plant Science Research WeeklyClassical evolutionary theory states that the probability of a mutation occurring is independent of fitness consequences. However, reassessment of traditional assumptions is warranted with recent discoveries showing that cytogenetic (DNA sequences and epigenetic) features can affect local mutation probabilities.…
Macroevolutionary patterns in seed component mass and different evolutionary trajectories across seed desiccation responses ($) (New Phytol)
Plant Science Research WeeklySeeds are made out of two functionally distinct components: the seed coat and the seed reserves (which include endosperm and embryo). It is known that the relative contribution of these parts to the total seed mass varies greatly among species. Still, little is known about the evolution of each component's…
Review: Sequencing and analyzing the transcriptomes of a thousand plant species (Annu. Rev. Plant Biol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyOver the past decade, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has been used for de novo assembly of crop genomes (i.e., tomato, potato) under the motto “If it tastes good, let’s sequence it”. By contrast, the One Thousand Plant (1KP) Initiative set out to obtain transcriptomic data of phylogenetically…
Multiple metabolic innovations and losses are associated with major transitions in land plant evolution (Curr. Biol.)
Plant Science Research WeeklyThe colonization of land by a single streptophyte algae lineage around 450 million years ago culminated in the evolution and radiation of all terrestrial flora, the embryophytes. Adapting and thriving in the land environment required many morphological and physiological innovations, as well as the acquisition…
Genomic evidence for convergent evolution of gene clusters for momilactone (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlants produce a rich diversity of chemical compounds. In fungi, the genes encoding specialized biosynthetic pathways are frequently arranged in contiguous loci forming biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC). In plants, BGCs are not common, however, some cases have been found in angiosperms. Among the known…