Recent Posts

Recognizing Plant Physiology first authors: Inês Carqueijeiro

Inês Carqueijeiro, featured first author of Two tabersonine 6,7-epoxidases start synthesis of lochnericine-type alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tours Education: PhD in Plant Biochemistry at the University of Porto (2013), MS in Plant Biology…

Moonlighting NAD+ Malate Dehydrogenase is Essential for Chloroplast Biogenesis

Some proteins are put to work in more than one job, in a form of evolutionary improvization. They are often described as "moonlighting" proteins, referring to the practice of people taking a second job, typically after dark, to help pay the bills.  A classic example of a moonlighting protein is the…

P-HYDROXYPHENYLPYRUVATE DIOXYGENASE from Medicago sativa Is Involved in Vitamin E Biosynthesis and Abscisic Acid-Mediated Seed Germination (OA)

Sci. Rep. Vitamin E has been shown to scavenge singlet oxygen, reduce lipid oxidation by-products and inhibit lipid peroxidation, thereby helping plant defenses against various stresses. In this study, the authors identified MsHPPD as a key gene for vitamin E biosynthesis in alfalfa – an important…

Aldehyde Dehydrogenases Function in the Homeostasis of Pyridine Nucleotides in Arabidopsis thaliana (OA)

Sci. Rep. Aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes (ALDHs) are very common proteins involved in the oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids, using NAD and NADP as electron acceptors. In this paper the authors explore the hypothesis that ALDHs are also important…

A Lectin Receptor Kinase as a Potential Sensor for Extracellular Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Arabidopsis thaliana (OA)

eLife Besides its role as an enzyme cofactor, NAD is also a plant signaling molecule. In particular, it leaks from wounded areas and activates defense pathways in the neighboring tissue, an effect that can be mimicked by application of extracellular NAD. The presence of a sensing mechanism for extracellular…

Folate Biofortification of Potato by Tuber-Specific Expression of Four Folate Biosynthesis Genes ($)

Mol. Plant Deficiency in Vitamin B9 (folate) is one of the major causes of birth defects and maternal deaths. As potato is a staple crop for several populations worldwide, one strategy to reduce the risks of folate deficiency is the biofortification of potato. This would be extremely useful, as the…

The Arabidopsis Thiamin‐Deficient Mutant pale green1 Lacks Thiamin Monophosphate Phosphatase of the Vitamin B1 Biosynthesis Pathway ($)

Plant J. Plants have the capacity of building several vitamin compounds that animals must uptake with their diet instead. Some of these pathways, such as the B1 pathway, are extremely complex and still not completely elucidated. The At5g32470 gene was identified as a new thiamine monophosphate (TMP)…

Review: Toward Eradication of B-Vitamin Deficiencies: Considerations for Crop Biofortification (OA)

Front. Plant. Sci. Micronutrient malnutrition (or “hidden hunger”) is estimated to concern one fourth of the human population worldwide and its main victims are children and pregnant women. This review summarizes the biosynthetic pathways, the role in plant physiology and the recent efforts of the…

The Manipulation of Gene Expression and the Biosynthesis of Vitamin C, E and Folate in Light-and Dark-Germination of Sweet Corn Seeds (OA)

Sci. Rep. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that the vitamin content of cereal sprouts is higher than the one of cereal kernels. For example, it was recently shown that niacin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid accumulate during sweet corn sprouting. Liu and colleagues went further by measuring…