Article
Plant Sciences
Feixue Liao, Grmay Hailu Lilay, Pedro Humberto Castro, Herlander Azevedo, Ana G. L. Assuncao
Summary: This study investigates the regulatory mechanism and evolutionary conservation of zinc deficiency response in legume plants, focusing on the F-bZIP transcription factors. The results provide insights into the functional roles of F-bZIPs and related genes in legume crops, contributing to the development of strategies for improving zinc content.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sichul Lee, Joohyun Lee, Felipe K. Ricachenevsky, Tracy Punshon, Ryan Tappero, David E. Salt, Mary Lou Guerinot
Summary: The study demonstrated that IRT3, ZIP4, ZIP6, and ZIP9 in Arabidopsis thaliana function redundantly in maintaining zinc homeostasis and seed development, with single and higher-order mutants showing impaired growth to varying degrees.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuan Zhou, Dan Zhao, Yuxi Duan, Lijie Chen, Haiyan Fan, Yuanyuan Wang, Xiaoyu Liu, Li-Qing Chen, Yuanhu Xuan, Xiaofeng Zhu
Summary: It was found that the SWEET gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana plays an important role in the infection of root-knot nematode. Among them, AtSWEET1 is the most sensitive and has the highest induced expression level as a glucose transporter gene. It was demonstrated that AtSWEET1 was specifically induced in the galls of transgenic plants. Genetic studies showed that parasitism of Meloidogyne incognita was significantly affected in atsweet1 compared to wild-type and complementation plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Devesh Shukla, Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Shivendra Sahi
Summary: Comprehensive understanding of plant root system architecture (RSA) development is crucial for enhancing nutrient use efficiency and increasing crop cultivar tolerance to environmental challenges. This study presents an experimental protocol for establishing a hydroponic system, promoting plantlet growth, spreading and imaging the RSA. The method utilizes a magenta box-based hydroponic system supported by polypropylene mesh and polycarbonate wedges. The approach was initially designed for assessing the RSA of Arabidopsis, but can be easily adapted for studying other plants such as Medicago sativa (Alfalfa). The measurement of RSA traits is achieved through capturing high-resolution images of the carefully spread root systems using freely available ImageJ software.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
James Mutemachani Mapodzeke, Muhammad Faheem Adil, Shafaque Sehar, Muhammad Fazal Karim, Muhammad Abu Bakar Saddique, Younan Ouyang, Imran Haider Shamsi
Summary: This review discusses the roles of zinc in plant development and stresses, including its uptake and utilization processes. It also highlights strategies aimed at optimizing plant zinc nutrition levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Ana G. L. Assuncao
Summary: This review discusses zinc sensing and transcriptional regulation in Arabidopsis and their evolutionary conservation in land plants. It highlights the potential research opportunities in studying zinc deficiency response and modulating F-bZIP activity to enhance zinc accumulation in crops.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samuel C. Zeeman, Erik M. Solhaug
Summary: Starch metabolism is important for plant growth, but blocking its biosynthesis has species-specific effects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Felipe Uribe, Carlos Henriquez-Valencia, Anita Arenas-M, Joaquin Medina, Elena A. Vidal, Javier Canales
Summary: LSU proteins belong to a plant-specific gene family that is strongly induced in response to sulfate deficiency. Through analysis of whole-genome sequences of 134 land plant species, 270 LSU family members were identified and their evolution was investigated. The study also revealed that LSU genes exhibit a conserved response to sulfate deficiency.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deirdre H. Mclachlan
Summary: Long-distance wound signalling in plants involves systemic propagation of calcium waves, and a new study proposes a mechanism whereby pressure changes trigger this response.
Article
Plant Sciences
Louise Noren Lindback, Yan Ji, Luis Cervela-Cardona, Xu Jin, Ullas V. Pedmale, Asa Strand
Summary: Researchers have identified three bZIP transcription factors (bZIP16, bZIP68, and GBF1) that play important roles in regulating chloroplast establishment. The activity of these factors is dependent on the redox status of a conserved cysteine residue, allowing for fine-tuning of light-responsive gene expression. In addition, they have been identified as novel interaction partners of the blue-light cryptochrome photoreceptors (CRY).
Review
Plant Sciences
Gustavo Ravelo-Ortega, Javier Raya-Gonzalez, Jose Lopez-Bucio
Summary: The rhizosphere is a soil-plant interface where bacterial and fungal species colonize and provide growth-promoting and adaptive benefits. Plant-bacteria relationships rely on the perception of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phytohormones, and bacterial quorum sensing signals. Beneficial Trichoderma fungi emit active VOCs that contribute to plant morphogenesis and affect their colonization on roots. Recent findings have shed light on how compounds from beneficial bacteria and fungi impact root architecture and the signaling events mediating microbial recognition.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianjun Lu, Rongrong Ye, Mengyu Qu, Yuemin Wang, Tingmin Liang, Jinbin Lin, Rongrong Xie, Yuqin Ke, Jingjuan Gao, Chunying Li, Jinping Guo, Weiqi Tang, Wenqing Li, Sonbiao hen
Summary: Zinc is essential for plant growth and development, and its regulation is crucial for adaptation to different zinc levels. This study investigates the responses of tobacco seedlings to zinc deficiency and limitation, revealing that oxidative stress and impaired growth occur under these conditions. Transcriptome and proteome analysis show the up-regulation of genes/proteins involved in zinc uptake, distribution, and antioxidative stress mechanisms, suggesting the existence of adaptive mechanisms in tobacco. These findings provide insights for the development of zinc-deficiency tolerant tobacco varieties.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nelzo C. Ereful, Huw Jones, Nick Fradgley, Lesley Boyd, Hirut Assaye Cherie, Matthew J. Milner
Summary: Significant genetic and phenotypic variation was found in Ethiopian tef varieties, indicating the potential for breeding nutritional traits of importance to human health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felipe K. Ricachenevsky, Tracy Punshon, David E. Salt, Janette P. Fett, Mary Lou Guerinot
Summary: Zinc is a key micronutrient for plants and animals, and understanding its homeostasis can have positive impacts on agriculture and human health. This study found that the accumulation of zinc in the base of trichomes on leaves is influenced by the overall zinc concentration in the plant, offering a basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms involved in zinc spatial distribution in plants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyuk Sung Yoon, Kaien Fujino, Shenkui Liu, Tetsuo Takano, Daisuke Tsugama
Summary: The study shows that Arabidopsis PP2A B''-family subunits interact with PP2A A (scaffold) subunits and can mediate VIP1 dephosphorylation. This provides important insights into the molecular mechanism of VIP1 dephosphorylation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Grmay H. Lilay, Pedro Humberto Castro, Joana G. Guedes, Diego M. Almeida, Ana Campilho, Herlander Azevedo, Mark G. M. Aarts, Nelson J. M. Saibo, Ana G. L. Assuncao
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana G. L. Assuncao, Sisse K. Gjetting, Michael Hansen, Anja T. Fuglsang, Alexander Schulz
Review
Plant Sciences
Ana G. L. Assuncao, Ismail Cakmak, Stephan Clemens, Manuel Gonzalez-Guerrero, Adam Nawrocki, Sebastien Thomine
Summary: This review highlights the importance of plant micronutrient homeostasis for healthy nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Providing sustainable and nutritious food for the growing population is a major challenge. Micronutrient deficiencies adversely affect crop production, nutritional value, and human health. The review calls for awareness on the relevance of micronutrients in crop production and quality, emphasizing the need for better micronutrient nutrition in human populations.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Sara Ramos, Pedro Humberto Castro, Vera Homem, Lucia Santos
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Freitas, Malgorzata A. Gazda, Miguel A. Rebelo, Antonio J. Munoz-Pajares, Carlos Vila-Vicosa, Antonio Munoz-Merida, Luis M. Goncalves, David Azevedo-Silva, Sandra Afonso, Isaura Castro, Pedro H. Castro, Mariana Sottomayor, Albano Beja-Pereira, Joao Tereso, Nuno Ferrand, Elsa Goncalves, Antero Martins, Miguel Carneiro, Herlander Azevedo
Summary: This study used whole-genome resequencing to elucidate different aspects of the recent evolutionary history of grapevine, supporting a model in which a central domestication event was followed by postdomestication hybridization with local wild genotypes. The research found a strong introgression signature in modern wine varieties across Western Europe, with a subset of Iberian grapevine varieties showing large introgression tracts. The analysis demonstrated how regions under selection in wild populations from the Iberian Peninsula were preferentially passed on to the cultivated varieties through gene flow.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pedro Humberto Castro, Daniel Couto, Miguel Angelo Santos, Sara Freitas, Tiago Lourenco, Eva Dias, Stephanie Huguet, Jorge Marques da Silva, Rui Manuel Tavares, Eduardo Rodriguez Bejarano, Herlander Azevedo
Summary: Protein modification by sumoylation and reactive oxygen species are reciprocally regulated in Arabidopsis, with the sumoylation SIZ1 enzyme playing a critical role via control of gene expression.
Article
Plant Sciences
Feixue Liao, Grmay Hailu Lilay, Pedro Humberto Castro, Herlander Azevedo, Ana G. L. Assuncao
Summary: This study investigates the regulatory mechanism and evolutionary conservation of zinc deficiency response in legume plants, focusing on the F-bZIP transcription factors. The results provide insights into the functional roles of F-bZIPs and related genes in legume crops, contributing to the development of strategies for improving zinc content.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Ana G. L. Assuncao
Summary: This review discusses zinc sensing and transcriptional regulation in Arabidopsis and their evolutionary conservation in land plants. It highlights the potential research opportunities in studying zinc deficiency response and modulating F-bZIP activity to enhance zinc accumulation in crops.
Article
Plant Sciences
Grmay H. Lilay, Daniel P. Persson, Pedro Humberto Castro, Feixue Liao, Ross D. Alexander, Mark G. M. Aarts, Ana G. L. Assuncao
Summary: Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants and animals, but how plants sense zinc is poorly understood. Two Arabidopsis bZIP transcription factors previously shown to modulate plant responses to zinc deficiency are now identified as zinc sensors in this study.