Elevated stress signaling compromises plant growth by suppressing proliferative and formative division in the meristem. Plant Elicitor Peptide (PEP), an endogenous danger signal triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), suppresses proliferative division, alters xylem vessel organization, and disrupts cell-to-cell symplastic connections in roots. To gain insight

Histone acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) are associated with active transcription. However, how they cooperate to regulate transcription in plants remains largely unclear. Our study revealed that GLOBAL TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR GROUP E 4 (GTE4) binds to acetylated histones and forms a complex with the functionally redundant H3K4me3-binding EMSY-like proteins EML1 or EML2 (EML1/2) in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a prominent defense hormone whose basal level, organ-specific accumulation, and physiological role vary widely among plant species. Of the two known pathways of plant SA biosynthesis, the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) pathway is more ancient and universal but its biosynthetic and physiological roles in diverse plant species remain unclear. Studies in which the PAL pathway

Sugar transport plays a pivotal role in determining the productivity of plants and their capacity to act as carbon sinks. In the major fruit crop grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), the transporter gene Vitis vinifera Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter 15 (VvSWEET15)is strongly expressed during berry ripening. However, the specific functions of VvSWEET15 and the mechanisms governing its transcriptional

Root hairs are tip-growing cells that anchor plants in the soil and are critical for water uptake, nutrient acquisition, and plant–environment interactions. While the molecular mechanisms that maintain the polar growth of root hairs through the asymmetric distribution of proteins, such as RHO-RELATED PROTEIN FROM PLANTS 2 (ROP2), have been described, it is unclear whether and how the transcripts encoding

The widely distributed MutS gene family functions in recombination, DNA repair, and protein translation. Multiple evolutionary processes have expanded this gene family in plants relative to other eukaryotes. Here, we investigate the origins and functions of these plant-specific genes. Cyanobacterial-like MutS1 and MutS2 genes were ancestrally gained via plastid endosymbiotic gene transfer. MutS1 was

Carbohydrate-based cell wall signaling impacts plant growth, development, and stress responses; however, how cell wall signals are perceived and transduced remains poorly understood. Several cell wall breakdown products have been described as typical damage-associated molecular patterns that activate plant immunity, including pectin-derived oligogalacturonides (OGs). Receptor kinases of the WALL-ASSOCIATED

Nitrogen is essential for plant growth and development. SNF1-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase pivotal for regulating plant responses to nutrient deficiency. Here, we discovered that the expression and activity of the SnRK1 α-catalytic subunit (SnRK1α1) increased in response to low-nitrogen stress. SnRK1α1 overexpression enhanced seedling tolerance, nitrate

Starch is an indispensable energy reserve for pollen and failure of starch biosynthesis in pollen leads to male sterility in flowering crops. Nonetheless, the regulatory mechanisms underlying starch biosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa) pollen remain unclear. Here, we identified a target of the microRNA OsmiR159, SPOROCYTELESS ETHYLENE-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR-ASSOCIATED AMPHIPHILIC-REPRESSION

Well-conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are essential for orchestrating of a wide range of cellular processes in plants, including defense responses against pathogen attack. NAC transcription factors play important roles in plant immunity, but their targets and how they are regulated remain largely unknown. Here, we identified the transcription factor OsNAC29 as a key component

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) yellow variegated2 (var2) mutant, lacking functional FILAMENTATION TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE H2 (FtsH2), an ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease, is a powerful tool for studying the photosystem II (PSII) repair process in plants. FtsH2, forming hetero-hexamers with FtsH1, FtsH5, and FtsH8, plays an indispensable role in PSII proteostasis. Although abiotic stresses like

Xylan, a pivotal polymer with diversified structures, is indispensable for cell wall integrity and contributes to plant growth and biomass recalcitrance. Xylan is synthesized by multi-enzyme complexes named xylan synthase complexes (XSCs). However, the biochemical mechanism of XSCs and the functions of core components within XSC remain unclear. Here, we report that rice (Oryza sativa) XYLAN O-ACETYLTRANSFERASE

The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) positively regulates the activity of the inflorescence meristem (IM). Cytokinin oxidase 2/Grain number 1a (OsCKX2/Gn1a)-mediated degradation of CK in rice (Oryza sativa L.) negatively regulates panicle grain number, whereas DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE 1 (DEP1) positively regulates grain number per panicle (GNP). However, the detailed regulatory mechanism between DEP1 and

In situ epitope tagging is crucial for probing gene expression, protein localization, and the dynamics of protein interactions within their natural cellular context. However, the practical application of this technique in plants presents considerable hurdles. Here, we comprehensively explored the potential of the CRISPR/Cas nuclease-mediated prime editing and different DNA repair pathways in epitope

Enhancing the transcriptional activation activity of transcription factors (TFs) has multiple applications in organism improvement, metabolic engineering, and other aspects of plant science, but the approaches remain unclear. Here, we used gene activation assays and genetic transformation to investigate the transcriptional activities of two MYB TFs, PRODUCTION OF ANTHOCYANIN PIGMENT 1 (AtPAP1) from

Plants subjected to cold stress have been observed to accumulate proline, but the underlying regulatory mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we identified a pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS)-encoding gene (CtrP5CS1) from trifoliate orange (Citrus trifoliata L.), a cold-hardy citrus species, as a critical gene for cold-induced proline accumulation. CtrTGA2 bound directly to the

The regulation of non-climacteric fruit ripening by the transcription factor NON-RIPENING (NOR) is poorly understood. Here, we identified that the NOR homolog in the non-climacteric fruit watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is located within the selective sweep and sweetness quantitative trait locus that was selected during domestication from landraces to cultivars. ClNOR knockout substantially delayed

The basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) of the maize (Zea mays L.) kernel is composed of transfer cells for nutrient transport to nourish the developing kernel. To understand the spatiotemporal processes required for BETL development, we characterized 2 unstable factor for orange1 (Zmufo1) mutant alleles. The BETL defects in these mutants were associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species

The termination of floral meristem (FM) activity is essential for the normal development of reproductive floral organs. During this process, KNUCKLES (KNU), a C2H2-type zinc finger protein, crucially regulates FM termination by directly repressing the expression of both the stem cell identity gene WUSCHEL (WUS) and the stem cell marker gene CLAVATA3 (CLV3) to abolish the WUS-CLV3 feedback loop required

Protein activity, abundance, and stability can be regulated by posttranslational modification including ubiquitination. Ubiquitination is conserved among eukaryotes and plays a central role in modulating cellular function, yet we lack comprehensive catalogs of proteins that are modified by ubiquitin in plants. In this study, we describe an antibody-based approach to enrich ubiquitinated peptides coupled

Plant cell-surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize microbial patterns and activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Typical PTI responses include reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst controlled by the NADPH oxidase RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGUE D (RbohD) and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade composed of MAPKKK3/5-MKK4/5-MPK3/6. However

PhasiRNAs (phased, small interfering RNAs) play a crucial role in supporting male fertility in grasses. Earlier work in maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa) – and subsequently many other plant species – identified premeiotic 21-nt and meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs. More recently, a group of premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs was discovered in the anthers of two Pooideae species, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and

Seed dormancy, an essential trait for plant adaptation, is determined by the embryo itself and the surrounding tissues. Here, we found that rice (Oryza sativa) FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM1 (OsFIE1) regulates endosperm-imposed dormancy and the dorsal aleurone thickness in a manner dependent on the parent of origin. Maternally expressed OsFIE1 suppresses gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis in the endosperm

Alternative transcription initiation (ATI) appears to be a ubiquitous regulatory mechanism of gene expression in eukaryotes. However, the extent to which it affects the products of gene expression and how it evolves and is regulated remain unknown. Here, we report genome-wide identification and analysis of transcription start sites (TSSs) in various soybean (Glycine max) tissues using a survey of transcription

Anthocyanins affect quality in fruits such as grape (Vitis vinifera). High temperatures reduce anthocyanin levels by suppressing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and decreasing the biosynthetic rate. However, the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate these two processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that high-temperature-mediated inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis

Some pathogens colonize plant leaves, but others invade the roots, including the vasculature, causing severe disease symptoms. Plant innate immunity has been extensively studied in leaf pathosystems; however, the precise regulation of immunity against vascular pathogens remains largely unexplored. We previously demonstrated that loss of function of the receptor kinase FERONIA (FER) increases plant

Chloroplasts are recognized as environmental sensors, capable of translating environmental fluctuations into diverse signals to communicate with the nucleus. Among the reactive oxygen species produced in chloroplasts, singlet oxygen (1O2) has been extensively studied due to its dual roles, encompassing both damage and signaling activities, and the availability of conditional mutants overproducing 1O2

Grain size and weight are important determinants of crop yield. Although the ubiquitin pathway has been implicated in the grain development in rice (Oryza sativa), the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the Plant U-box (PUB) E3 ubiquitin ligase OsPUB33 interferes with the OsNAC120-BG1 module to control rice grain development. Functional loss of

RNA silencing negatively regulates gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels through DNA methylation, histone modification, mRNA cleavage, and translational inhibition. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of 21 to 24 nucleotides are processed from double-stranded RNAs by Dicer-like enzymes and play essential roles in RNA silencing in plants. Here, we demonstrated that ALTERED

Jasmonate is ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and regulates multiple physiological processes. Although jasmonate signaling has been thoroughly investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana, most studies have focused on the transcriptional mechanisms underlying various jasmonate responses. It remains unclear whether (and how) translation-related pathways help improve transcription efficiency to modulate jasmonate

In plants, heteromeric acetyl-CoA carboxylase (hetACCase) initiates de novo fatty acid synthesis (FAS) by generating malonyl-CoA in the first committed step of this process. hetACCase activity is precisely regulated to meet the cellular demand for acyl chains during the plant life cycle. In this study, we performed a systematic co-expression analysis of hetACCase and its regulators in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis

Meiotic crossover, i.e., the reciprocal exchange of chromosome fragments during meiosis, is a key driver of genetic diversity. Crossover is initiated by the formation of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). While the role of ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA AND RAD3-RELATED (ATR) kinase in DNA damage signaling is well-known, its impact on crossover formation remains understudied. Here, using measurements

Cyanobacteria contribute to roughly a quarter of global net carbon fixation. During diel light/dark growth, dark respiration substantially lowers the overall photosynthetic carbon yield in cyanobacteria and other phototrophs. How respiratory pathways participate in carbon resource allocation at night to optimize dark survival and support daytime photosynthesis remains unclear. Here, using the cyanobacterium

Reproductive phasiRNAs (phased, small interfering RNAs), produced from numerous PHAS loci, are essential for plant anther development. PHAS transcripts are enriched on endoplasmic reticulum-bound ribosomes in maize (Zea mays), but the impact of ribosome binding on phasiRNA biogenesis remains elusive. Through ribosome profiling of maize anthers at 10 developmental stages, we demonstrated that 24-PHAS

The evolutionarily conserved Polycomb repressive complexes (PRC) mediate genome-wide transcriptional silencing and regulate a plethora of development, as well as environmental responses in multicellular organisms. The PRC2-catalyzed trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) is recognized by reader-effector modules of PRC1 to implement gene repression. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis

Plants detect pathogens using cell-surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as ELONGATION Factor-TU (EF-TU) RECEPTOR (EFR) and FLAGELLIN SENSING 2 (FLS2), which recognize bacterial EF-Tu and flagellin, respectively. These PRRs belong to the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase (LRR-RK) family and activate the production of reactive oxygen species via the NADPH oxidase RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE

Plants bearing double flowers have long been cultivated as ornamental plants. Hose-in-hose flowers, bearing 2-whorled corolla tubes in whorls 1 and 2, are uncommon but recur in Sinningia (Gesnerioideae, Gesneriaceae). In this study, we selected 15 hose-in-hose cultivars as materials to explore the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms of this floral architecture. We found that they originated

The banana (Musa spp.) peel undergoes rapid softening during ripening, leading to finger drop and a shortened shelf life. The regulatory mechanism behind this process remains to be elucidated. In this study, we confirmed the role of peel softening in banana finger drop and uncovered the underlying transcriptional regulatory network. Cell wall-related (CWR) genes were substantially upregulated in both

In response to variable environments, rice (Oryza sativa) roots have developed lignified and suberized diffusion barriers at the endodermis to permit selective nutrient uptake for optimal growth. Here, we demonstrate that endodermal suberization and non-localized lignification are redundantly regulated by four MYB transcription factors: OsMYB39a, OsMYB41, OsMYB92a, and OsMYB92b. These transcription

Hydrotropism facilitates the orientation of plant roots towards regions of elevated water potential, enabling them to absorb adequate water. Although calcium signaling plays a crucial role in plant response to water tracking, the exact regulatory mechanisms remain a mystery. Here, we employed the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hydrotropism-specific protein MIZU-KUSSEI1 (MIZ1) as bait and found

The trans-Golgi network (TGN), a key compartment in endomembrane trafficking, participates in both secretion to and endocytosis from the plasma membrane. Consequently, the TGN plays a key role in plant growth and development. Understanding how proteins are sorted for secretion or endocytic recycling at the TGN is critical for elucidating mechanisms of plant development. We previously showed that the

Oxygenic photosynthesis generates the initial energy source that fuels nearly all life on Earth. At the heart of the process are the photosystems, which are pigment binding multi-protein complexes that catalyse the first step of photochemical conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Here, we investigate the molecular evolution of the plastid-encoded photosystem subunits at single-residue resolution

Herbivore-induced wounding can elicit a defense response in plants. However, whether plants possess a surveillance system capable of detecting herbivore threats and initiating preparatory defenses before wounding occurs remains unclear. In this study, we reveal that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) trichomes can detect and respond to the mechanical stimuli generated by herbivores. Mechanical stimuli are

The cell wall of plants and algae is an important cell structure that protects cells from changes in the external physical and chemical environment. This extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, must be constantly remodeled throughout the life cycle. However, compared to matrix polysaccharides, little is known about the mechanisms regulating the formation and degradation