0
selected
-
1.
Tackling Plant Phosphate Starvation by the Roots.
Crombez, H, Motte, H, Beeckman, T
Developmental cell. 2019;(5):599-615
Abstract
Plant responses to phosphate deprivation encompass a wide range of strategies, varying from altering root system architecture, entering symbiotic interactions to excreting root exudates for phosphorous release, and recycling of internal phosphate. These processes are tightly controlled by a complex network of proteins that are specifically upregulated upon phosphate starvation. Although the different effects of phosphate starvation have been intensely studied, the full extent of its contribution to altered root system architecture remains unclear. In this review, we focus on the effect of phosphate starvation on the developmental processes that shape the plant root system and their underlying molecular pathways.
-
2.
Properties and functions of calcium-dependent protein kinases and their relatives in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Yip Delormel, T, Boudsocq, M
The New phytologist. 2019;(2):585-604
Abstract
Calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger that mediates plant responses to developmental and environmental cues. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are key actors of plant signaling that convey calcium signals into physiological responses by phosphorylating various substrates including ion channels, transcription factors and metabolic enzymes. This large diversity of targets confers pivotal roles of CDPKs in shoot and root development, pollen tube growth, stomatal movements, hormonal signaling, transcriptional reprogramming and stress tolerance. On the one hand, specificity in CDPK signaling is achieved by differential calcium sensitivities, expression patterns, subcellular localizations and substrates. On the other hand, CDPKs also target some common substrates to ensure key cellular processes indispensable for plant growth and survival in adverse environmental conditions. In addition, the CDPK-related protein kinases (CRKs) might be closer to some CDPKs than previously anticipated and could contribute to calcium signaling despite their inability to bind calcium. This review highlights the regulatory properties of Arabidopsis CDPKs and CRKs that coordinate their multifaceted functions in development, immunity and abiotic stress responses.
-
3.
Petal senescence: a hormone view.
Ma, N, Ma, C, Liu, Y, Shahid, MO, Wang, C, Gao, J
Journal of experimental botany. 2018;(4):719-732
Abstract
Flowers are highly complex organs that have evolved to enhance the reproductive success of angiosperms. As a key component of flowers, petals play a vital role in attracting pollinators and ensuring successful pollination. Having fulfilled this function, petals senesce through a process that involves many physiological and biochemical changes that also occur during leaf senescence. However, petal senescence is distinct, due to the abundance of secondary metabolites in petals and the fact that petal senescence is irreversible. Various phytohormones are involved in regulating petal senescence, and are thought to act both synergistically and antagonistically. In this regard, there appears to be developmental point during which such regulatory signals are sensed and senescence is initiated. Here, we review current understanding of petal senescence, and discuss associated regulatory mechanisms involving hormone interactions and epigenetic regulation.
-
4.
WRINKLED1 transcription factor: How much do we know about its regulatory mechanism?
Kong, Q, Ma, W
Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology. 2018;:153-156
Abstract
Many plant species produce and build up triacylglycerol (TAG) in their seeds as a main resource to provide carbon and energy during seedling development. Plant seed oils are important not only for human diets but also as renewable feedstock of industrial uses. WRINKLED1 (WRI1), an APETALA2 (AP2) transcription factor, plays an essential role in the transcriptional regulation of TAG biosynthesis as WRI1 regulates the expression of key genes in the glycolytic and fatty acid biosynthetic pathways. Recent work has identified intrinsic structural disorder in WRI1 that may affect the stability of the protein. Furthermore, WRI1 activity is modulated by post-translational modifications and interacting partners. These progresses shed light on regulatory functions of WRI1 at the molecular levels, paving new paths to the use of WRI1 for bioengineering of TAG in plants.
-
5.
Cytokinin signaling in plant development.
Kieber, JJ, Schaller, GE
Development (Cambridge, England). 2018;(4)
Abstract
The phytohormone cytokinin plays diverse roles in plant development, influencing many agriculturally important processes, including growth, nutrient responses and the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cytokinin levels in plants are regulated by biosynthesis and inactivation pathways. Cytokinins are perceived by membrane-localized histidine-kinase receptors and are transduced through a His-Asp phosphorelay to activate a family of transcription factors in the nucleus. Here, and in the accompanying poster, we summarize the current understanding of cytokinin metabolism, transport and signaling, and discuss how this phytohormone regulates changes in gene expression to mediate its pleiotropic effects.
-
6.
Understanding the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants - Tools for breeding purple varieties of fruits and vegetables.
Chaves-Silva, S, Santos, ALD, Chalfun-Júnior, A, Zhao, J, Peres, LEP, Benedito, VA
Phytochemistry. 2018;:11-27
Abstract
Anthocyanins are naturally occurring flavonoids derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. There is increasing evidence of the preventative and protective roles of anthocyanins against a broad range of pathologies, including different cancer types and metabolic diseases. However, most of the fresh produce available to consumers typically contains only small amounts of anthocyanins, mostly limited to the epidermis of plant organs. Therefore, transgenic and non-transgenic approaches have been proposed to enhance the levels of this phytonutrient in vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Here, were review the current literature on the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in model and crop species, including the structural and regulatory genes involved in the differential pigmentation patterns of plant structures. Furthermore, we explore the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis and the reasons why it is strongly repressed in specific cell types, in order to create more efficient breeding strategies to boost the biosynthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in fresh fruits and vegetables.
-
7.
Regulation and functional diversification of root hairs.
Cui, S, Suzaki, T, Tominaga-Wada, R, Yoshida, S
Seminars in cell & developmental biology. 2018;:115-122
Abstract
Root hairs result from the polar outgrowth of root epidermis cells in vascular plants. Root hair development processes are regulated by intrinsic genetic programs, which are flexibly modulated by environmental conditions, such as nutrient availability. Basic programs for root hair development were present in early land plants. Subsequently, some plants developed the ability to utilize root hairs for specific functions, in particular, for interactions with other organisms, such as legume-rhizobia and host plants-parasites interactions. In this review, we summarize the molecular regulation of root hair development and the modulation of root hairs under limited nutrient supply and during interactions with other organisms.
-
8.
Advances in abscission signaling.
Patharkar, OR, Walker, JC
Journal of experimental botany. 2018;(4):733-740
Abstract
Abscission is a process in plants for shedding unwanted organs such as leaves, flowers, fruits, or floral organs. Shedding of leaves in the fall is the most visually obvious display of abscission in nature. The very shape plants take is forged by the processes of growth and abscission. Mankind manipulates abscission in modern agriculture to do things such as prevent pre-harvest fruit drop prior to mechanical harvesting in orchards. Abscission occurs specifically at abscission zones that are laid down as the organ that will one day abscise is developed. A sophisticated signaling network initiates abscission when it is time to shed the unwanted organ. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding the signaling mechanisms that activate abscission. Physiological advances and roles for hormones in abscission are also addressed. Finally, we discuss current avenues for basic abscission research and potentially lucrative future directions for its application to modern agriculture.
-
9.
Y flowering? Regulation and activity of CONSTANS and CCT-domain proteins in Arabidopsis and crop species.
Brambilla, V, Fornara, F
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Gene regulatory mechanisms. 2017;(5):655-660
Abstract
Changes in day length regulate the proper timing of flowering in several plant species. The genetic architecture of this process is based on CCT-domain proteins, many of which interact with NF-Y subunits to regulate transcription of target genes. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the CONSTANS CCT-domain protein is a central photoperiodic sensor. We will discuss how the diurnal rhythms of its transcription and protein accumulation are generated, and how the protein engages into multiple complexes to control production of a systemic flowering signal. Regulatory parallels will be drawn between Arabidopsis and major crops that indicate conservation of some CCT/NF-Y modules during plant evolution. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.
-
10.
Plant NF-Y transcription factors: Key players in plant-microbe interactions, root development and adaptation to stress.
Zanetti, ME, Rípodas, C, Niebel, A
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Gene regulatory mechanisms. 2017;(5):645-654
Abstract
NF-Ys are heterotrimeric transcription factors composed by the NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC subunits. In plants, NF-Y subunits are encoded by multigene families whose members show structural and functional diversifications. An increasing number of NF-Y genes has been shown to play key roles during different stages of root nodule and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, as well as during the interaction of plants with pathogenic microorganisms. Individual members of the NF-YA and NF-YB families have also been implicated in the development of primary and lateral roots. In addition, different members of the NF-YA and NF-YB gene families from mono- and di-cotyledonous plants have been involved in plant responses to water and nutrient scarcity. This review presents the most relevant and striking results concerning these NF-Y subunits. A phylogenetic analysis of the functionally characterized NF-Y genes revealed that, across plant species, NF-Y proteins functioning in the same biological process tend to belong to common phylogenetic groups. Finally, we discuss the forthcoming challenges of plant NF-Y research, including the detailed dissection of expression patterns, the elucidation of functional specificities as well as the characterization of the potential NF-Y-mediated epigenetic mechanisms by which they control the expression of their target genes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.