Initiation of meiotic recombination is regulated by epigenetic marks and chromatin structure (Genome Res.)
BlogMeiotic recombination is an important source of genetic diversity by allowing the reshuffling of parental alleles during meiosis. It requires the generation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiated by the activity of the SPO11 protein complex. In plants, the impact of chromatin structure and DNA…
Underground Functions of GIF Genes
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellErcoli et al. investigate how GIF genes control root development https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00856
By María Florencia Ercoli and Javier Palatnik
Background: Plants, unlike animals, have the ability to generate new organs throughout their life cycle. This capacity relies on meristems, which…
Maize Tassel Architecture
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellZhang et al. show that GIF1 regulates the determinacy of meristems and controls tassel architecture in maize. The Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00791
Background: Plant architecture results from a balance of indeterminate and determinate cell fates. Cells with indeterminate fates…
Meiotic Crossover Formation
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellKurzbauer et al. discover a role for the Fanconi anemia D2 plant homogue in promoting meiotic crossover formation. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00745
by Marie-Therese Kurzbauer and Peter Schlögelhofer
Background: Meiosis is a specialized cell division and generates the basis for genetic diversity…
Role of RecQ helicases in DNA repair and gene targeting in moss (Plant Cell)
Plant Science Research WeeklyDNA repair is of course a crucial process, and many DNA repair enzymes are conserved across all domains of life. In humans, deficiency in the RecQ family of DNA helicase repair enzymes leads to premature aging and a predisposition to cancer. Previous studies have identified the RecQ family in Arabidopsis…
Unleashing meiotic crossovers in hybrid plants ($) (PNAS)
Plant Science Research WeeklyTo generate new plant varieties with desirable traits, plant geneticists cross existing varieties that contain the characters they want to combine. The genetic variability is obtained thanks to events called crossovers, in which segments of homologous chromosomes are swapped during meiosis. The frequency…
Saving Algae from Environmental Stresses
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellDu et al. investigate an important protein that regulates photosynthesis under stress. Plant Cell. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00446.
Background:…
Nodule Symbiosis: Cleavage of Bacterial Signals Affects Nodule Shape
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: In a NutshellCai et al. investigate the function of a Medicago truncatula enzyme (MtNFH1) that cleaves nodulation signals of symbiotic Sinorhizobium meliloti bacteria. Plant Cell (2018). https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.17.00420.
By Jie Cai, Zhi-Ping Xie and Christian Staehelin
Background: Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia…
Press Release: How to target a gene
Research, The Plant Cell, The Plant Cell: NewsScientists find proteins important for plant development, DNA repair and gene targeting
Freiburg, Mar 08, 2018
All living cells have invented mechanisms to protect their DNA against breaks during duplication and against damage by UV-light or chemicals. A team of biologists led by Prof.…