Review
Plant Sciences
Ritu Singh, Kamal Kumar, Chellapilla Bharadwaj, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: Advancements in sequencing, genotyping, and computational technologies have greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of forward-genetic approaches in crop research, leading to the development of high-yielding and climate-resilient crops.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ritu Singh, Ashutosh Pandey, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: In this study, the GARP gene family in three major leguminous plants was explored from genomic, molecular, and evolutionary perspectives. The results showed the conservation of the GARP gene family in plants and the expansion through genome duplication in legumes. The GARP genes were found to play a major role in signaling, growth, development, and stress processes. The study also provided stress-responsive genes and laid the foundation for prospective functional studies of GARPs in legumes.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ritu Singh, Kamal Kumar, Savithri Purayannur, Weidong Chen, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: This article reviews the molecular and genetic studies of Ascochyta rabiei, the necrotrophic fungus causing Ascochyta blight in chickpea, and discusses strategies for combating the disease. The authors also suggest possible areas for future research.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ritu Singh, Aditi Dwivedi, Yeshveer Singh, Kamal Kumar, Aashish Ranjan, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptional dynamics of chickpea genotypes with different resistance to Ascochyta blight (AB) caused by Ascochyta rabiei, revealing that resistant plants undergo rapid and extensive transcriptional reprogramming. Signaling components such as protein kinases, transcription factors, and hormonal pathways play a vital role in the defense response against A. rabiei. The study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of AB resistance and offers potential resources for developing resistant chickpea varieties.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Samiksha Saxena, Lalita Pal, Jogindra Naik, Yeshveer Singh, Praveen Kumar Verma, Debasis Chattopadhyay, Ashutosh Pandey
Summary: Flavonoids play important roles in plants as pigments and defense compounds. This study investigates the transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis by the R2R3-MYB transcription factor CaMYB39 in chickpea. Overexpression of CaMYB39 affects the phenylpropanoid pathway and leads to increased levels of isoflavonoids. CaMYB39 activates the transcription of early flavonoid biosynthetic genes, particularly FLAVONOL SYNTHASE2, explaining the preferential accumulation of kaempferol derivatives in chickpea. Additionally, CaMYB39 overexpression enhances trichome density, induces defense gene expression, and reduces symptoms of the fungal pathogen Ascochyta rabiei, providing resistance against Ascochyta blight.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shreenivas Kumar Singh, Ankita Shree, Sandhya Verma, Kunal Singh, Kamal Kumar, Vikas Srivastava, Ritu Singh, Samiksha Saxena, Agam Prasad Singh, Ashutosh Pandey, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: This study identifies the effector protein ArPEC25 secreted by the necrotrophic fungus A. rabiei, which targets the host transcription factor Ca beta LIM1a to suppress the expression of CaPAL1 and modulate lignin biosynthesis. The findings reveal the mechanism by which fungal effectors enhance virulence by targeting key defense pathways.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ankita Shree, Manisha Sinha, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: Ascochyta blight disease caused by Ascochyta rabiei is a global threat to chickpea production. The role of ArF-BAR protein in the biogenesis and dynamics of early endosomes, as well as clathrin-mediated endocytosis, has been discovered. This pathway is crucial for host infection and disease development, providing potential targets for intervention.
Article
Microbiology
Nancy Bhagat, Shanu Magotra, Rikita Gupta, Shikha Sharma, Sandhya Verma, Praveen Kumar Verma, Tahir Ali, Ankita Shree, Jyoti Vakhlu
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the bidirectional pathogenesis of Fusarium oxysporum in saffron, a globally destructive fungal disease. The colonization pattern and pathogen movement were analyzed, and the mode and mechanism of pathogenesis were systematically elucidated.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nandita Pasari, Rajesh Kumar Gazara, Jawahar Singh, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: This study identified the expression changes of SWEET genes in leguminous crop Cicerarietinum during interaction with symbiotic fungus Serendipita indica. The regulatory factor miR156 targeting CaSWEET12 was identified. This research provides insights into the regulation mechanism of these genes in plant-fungus symbiosis.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Jawahar Singh, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: Lysin motif (LysM)-receptor-like kinase (RLK) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-RLK mediated signaling play important roles in the development and regulation of root nodule symbiosis in legumes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ritu Singh, Kamal Kumar, Savithri Purayannur, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: Ascochyta blight (AB) disease caused by Ascochyta rabiei poses a major threat to chickpea production worldwide. This study identified candidate genes associated with AB resistance on chromosome 4 in chickpea, which can be used to improve the resistance of locally adapted varieties through biotechnological advancements.
Review
Plant Sciences
Anubhav Sahu, Ritu Singh, Praveen Kumar Verma
Summary: This review provides a detailed understanding of the structure and function of the BBR/BPC transcription factor family in plants, and compares it with the GAFs in animals. The BBR/BPC TFs have a distinct yet similar structure and function to animal GAFs, and play multifaceted roles in plant development and stress processes. Their conservation across the plant lineage makes them an important gene family with potential implications in diverse fundamental processes.
