Article
Cell Biology
Xinyue Chen, Shun Iwatani, Toshitaka Kitamoto, Hiroji Chibana, Susumu Kajiwara
Summary: Research on the C. glabrata SYN8 gene has shown that it affects metabolic activity, morphological structure, and biomass in biofilm formation. Deletion of SYN8 seems to have no effect on extracellular matrix production but leads to a notable decrease in adhesion ability during biofilm formation, possibly linked to the repression of two adhesin genes, EPA10 and EPA22. Hypersensitivity to hygromycin B and various ions, as well as abnormal vacuolar morphology in the syn8 Delta mutant, suggest that active vacuolar function is required for biofilm formation of C. glabrata.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hirotomo Takatsuka, Takumi Higaki, Masaki Ito
Summary: Large vacuoles are crucial cell organelles in plants, accounting for over 90% of cell volume. They generate turgor pressure for cell growth and act as storage for waste products and apoptotic enzymes. Vacuoles undergo dynamic transformations controlled by cytoskeletons. However, the molecular mechanism of this process remains unclear. This review summarizes the behavior of cytoskeletons and vacuoles during plant development, their response to environmental stresses, and introduces potential key molecules in the vacuole-cytoskeleton interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tatsiana Shymanovich, Joshua P. Vandenbrink, Raul Herranz, F. Javier Medina, John Z. Kiss
Summary: In this study, we investigated the interaction between phototropism and gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana under microgravity conditions on the International Space Station. Through gene profiling analyses, we identified five genes that showed differential expression in space and had effects on both phototropism and gravitropism. The most significant finding was the role of the NFL gene encoding an intermediate filament protein in signal transduction in plants.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Olivier Seguin, Linh Thuy Mai, Hamlet Acevedo Ospina, Marie-Michele Guay-Vincent, Sidney W. Whiteheart, Simona Stager, Albert Descoteaux
Summary: This study investigates the contribution of host cell soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor proteins to the expansion and functionality of communal vacuoles as well as the replication of Leishmania parasites. The results show that VAMP8 contributes to the optimal expansion of communal vacuoles, while VAMP3 negatively regulates L. amazonensis replication, vacuole size, and antigen cross-presentation.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ruxiao Xing, Hejiang Zhou, Youli Jian, Lingling Li, Min Wang, Nan Liu, Qiuyuan Yin, Ziqi Liang, Weixiang Guo, Chonglin Yang
Summary: WDR91, a Rab7 effector crucial for early-to-late endosome conversion, plays a vital role in maintaining lysosome function and homeostasis. Lack of WDR91 in the central nervous system results in neuronal loss, behavioral defects, and abnormal lysosomes, leading to accumulation of autophagic cargoes in mouse neurons. WDR91 competes with VPS41 for Rab7 binding, facilitating controlled lysosome fusion and ensuring normal function and survival of neurons.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hasan Ucar, Satoshi Watanabe, Jun Noguchi, Yuichi Morimoto, Yusuke Iino, Sho Yagishita, Noriko Takahashi, Haruo Kasai
Summary: The study reveals that fine and transient pushing of presynaptic boutons can significantly enhance the release of glutamate and the assembly of SNARE proteins, with effects persisting for more than 20 minutes. This enhancement is independent of cytosolic calcium, but relies on the assembly of SNARE proteins and actin polymerization in the boutons.
Article
Microbiology
Sizheng Li, Shengpei Zhang, Bing Li, He Li
Summary: The tea-oil tree is a plant native to China with over 2,000 years of cultivation history, mainly for its high-quality cooking oil. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, is the main disease of the tea-oil tree causing significant annual losses. The study identified that the CfVam7 gene plays a crucial role in growth, pathogenicity, and responses to stress in C. fructicola.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Lan Jiang, Tianyun Shen, Xinyuan Wang, Lunzhi Dai, Kefeng Lu, Huihui Li
Summary: Posttranslational modification plays a crucial role in regulating protein functions. The functions and mechanisms of N-terminal acetylation, which occurs on the first amino acids of proteins, in the field of macroautophagy/autophagy are not well understood. Recent studies have shown that the N-terminal acetyltransferase NatB is essential for autophagy and it modifies actin cytoskeleton constituent Act1 and dynamin-like GTPase Vps1, promoting the formation and fusion of autophagosomes.
Article
Microbiology
Yue Chen, Jia Liu, Yani Fan, Meichun Xiang, Seogchan Kang, Dongsheng Wei, Xingzhong Liu
Summary: DdVam7 protein plays a crucial role in D. dactyloides, regulating fungal growth, conidiation, and predatory process by mediating vacuole assembly, providing a basis for studying mechanisms of NTF and ring cell rapid inflation.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Csaba Mathe, Marta M-Hamvas, Gabor Vasas, Tamas Garda, Csongor Freytag
Summary: The review focuses on the subcellular effects of cyanotoxins on plants, especially microcystins and cylindrospermopsins. These toxins have characteristic dose- and plant genotype-dependent effects on plant cellular structures, potentially leading to decreased photosynthetic efficiency, cell death, and other physiological consequences.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcel Hahn, Adriana Covarrubias-Pinto, Lina Herhaus, Shankha Satpathy, Kevin Klann, Keith B. Boyle, Christian Munch, Krishnaraj Rajalingam, Felix Randow, Chunaram Choudhary, Ivan Dikic
Summary: SIK2 kinase is a central component of the host defense machinery during Salmonella infection, and its depletion can lead to bacterial escape and impaired Xenophagy. During bacterial infection, SIK2 associates with actin and is recruited to the Salmonella-containing vacuole, controlling the formation of a protective SCV actin shield.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Pin-Chao Liao, Emily J. Yang, Taylor Borgman, Istvan R. Boldogh, Cierra N. Sing, Theresa C. Swayne, Liza A. Pon
Summary: Lipid droplets (LDs) play important roles not only as storage sites for lipids but also as central regulators of metabolism and organelle quality control. Membrane contact sites (MCS) between LDs and other organelles are crucial for these functions. This review summarizes recent findings on the mechanisms and functions of MCS between LDs and mitochondria, ER, and lysosomes/vacuoles, as well as the role of the cytoskeleton in promoting LD MCS through its function in LD movement and distribution in response to environmental cues.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monica De Caroli, Fabrizio Barozzi, Luciana Renna, Gabriella Piro, Gian-Pietro Di Sansebastiano
Summary: Plants rely on both actin and microtubule cytoskeletons to fine-tune sorting and spatial targeting of membranes during cell growth and stress adaptation. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) and cytoskeletons, as well as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export mechanisms. These studies reveal the crucial role of cytoskeleton in regulating plant endomembrane traffic.
Article
Cell Biology
Paul T. Manna, Lael D. Barlow, Inmaculada Ramirez-Macias, Emily K. Herman, Joel B. Dacks
Summary: This study used a transcriptomics-based approach to identify gene products associated with contractile vacuoles (CVs) in Dictyostelium discoideum. The approach was validated by confirming the upregulation of known CV-associated gene products and finding enrichment of endosomal and vacuolar gene products. An upregulated SNARE protein (NPSNB) was found to be associated with CVs, suggesting its role in CV function. These findings provide important insights into the deep evolution of eukaryotic organelles.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina Kaiser, Sophie Eisele, David Scheuring
Summary: In Arabidopsis roots, the vacuole sizes and morphology are regulated by the hormone auxin through NET4A, affecting the cellular space utilization. Mutants and overexpressor lines of NET4A and NET4B still show sensitivity to auxin-induced vacuolar constrictions, suggesting the presence of additional regulatory mechanisms.
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richard Barker, Sylvain V. Costes, Jack Miller, Samrawit G. Gebre, Jonathan Lombardino, Simon Gilroy
Summary: Spaceflight exposes biology to unique radiation environments, and the Rad-Bio-App database helps users explore the impact of ionizing radiation on different biological systems in space experiments.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernando Aniento, Victor Sanchez de Medina Hernandez, Yasin Dagdas, Marcela Rojas-Pierce, Eugenia Russinova
Summary: The importance of endomembrane trafficking for all eukaryotic cells is highlighted, with a focus on the conservation and variation of organelles and protein families across different species. The advancements in plant cell biology research are noted, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant-specific features in membrane trafficking.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arkadipta Bakshi, Simon Gilroy
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mamoru Matsumura, Mika Nomoto, Tomotaka Itaya, Yuri Aratani, Mizuki Iwamoto, Takakazu Matsuura, Yuki Hayashi, Tsuyoshi Mori, Michael J. Skelly, Yoshiharu Y. Yamamoto, Toshinori Kinoshita, Izumi C. Mori, Takamasa Suzuki, Shigeyuki Betsuyaku, Steven H. Spoel, Masatsugu Toyota, Yasuomi Tada
Summary: Perceiving pathogen signals and environmental cues is crucial for plant immunity. This study reveals that trichomes in plants can sense external mechanical forces, such as raindrops, and induce the expression of defense-related genes through the propagation of intercellular calcium waves, providing early protection against microbial infections.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Hiraku Suda, Masatsugu Toyota
Summary: Plants exhibit long-range cytosolic Ca2+ signal transduction in response to wounding, which involves the ion channels of the GLR family, MSL10, and AHA1 regulation, as well as membrane potential, ROS, and glutamate signals.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Masatsugu Toyota, Shigeyuki Betsuyaku
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge of local and systemic defense responses of plants against sequential or simultaneous attack by insects and pathogens, with a focus on the latest advancements in imaging technologies. It discusses how imaging-based multiparametric analysis has improved our understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of dynamic plant stress responses.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Yusuke Saijo, Shigeyuki Betsuyaku, Masatsugu Toyota, Kenichi Tsuda
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jian Yang, Iny Elizebeth Mathew, Hormat Rhein, Richard Barker, Qi Guo, Luca Brunello, Elena Loreti, Bronwyn J. Barkla, Simon Gilroy, Pierdomenico Perata, Kendal D. Hirschi
Summary: This study demonstrates that plants lacking a vacuolar H+/Ca transporter are more tolerant to anoxia and submergence. Calcium signals play an important role in anoxia tolerance and could be used to improve the submergence tolerance of crops.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mengying Wang, Katherine Danz, Vanessa Ly, Marcela Rojas-Pierce
Summary: The spaceflight environment of the International Space Station exerts various stresses on plant growth, including reduced gravity. Studies have shown that microgravity affects cell wall composition, antioxidant accumulation, and growth anisotropy. Using Arabidopsis zigzag-1 (zig-1) as a model, this study found that microgravity reduces hypocotyl growth and inhibits vacuole fusion in some cells. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using chemical inhibitor treatments for plant cell biology experiments in space.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takuma Hagihara, Hiroaki Mano, Tomohiro Miura, Mitsuyasu Hasebe, Masatsugu Toyota
Summary: Mimosa pudica moves its leaves within seconds of being touched or wounded. Rapid changes in calcium ions and electric signals trigger these movements. The rapid movements help protect the plant from attacks by herbivorous insects.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Arkadipta Bakshi, Sarah J. Swanson, Simon Gilroy
Summary: Mimosa pudica, or the sensitive plant, exhibits leaf movements in response to touch and wounding, driven by changes in turgor in specialized cells called pulvinae. Hagihara et al. demonstrated that calcium signals precede and predict these pulvinar movements, providing evidence for a calcium-related response system in Mimosa leaf motion. By deleting a critical genetic regulator of pulvinar development using CRISPR, they created plants with immobile leaves that experienced increased herbivory, suggesting that calcium-triggered leaf movements are an adaptation to deter herbivores.
Article
Plant Sciences
Arkadipta Bakshi, Won-Gyu Choi, Su-Hwa Kim, Simon Gilroy
Summary: Flooding is a significant threat to global agriculture and food security, but plants have adaptive responses like flooding-triggered Ca2+ signaling that can help them survive this stress. By analyzing publicly available transcriptomic data from Arabidopsis, we identified genes related to Ca2+ signaling and found that CAX2 mutants showed enhanced survival and increased Ca2+ signals in response to flooding and hypoxia. These findings suggest an important role for vacuolar Ca2+ transport in the signaling systems that trigger flooding response.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jin Nakashima, Sivakumar Pattathil, Utku Avci, Sabrina Chin, J. Alan Sparks, Michael G. Hahn, Simon Gilroy, Elison B. Blancaflor
Summary: A library of glycan-directed antibodies was used to study cell wall modifications in plants under low-gravity conditions. The results showed global differences in cell wall epitopes between plants grown in space and ground controls. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that certain antibodies labeled space-grown roots more intensely, indicating accelerated secondary cell wall formation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of glycomics for evaluating plant cell wall glycans and uncovering microgravity-induced changes in tissue-specific cell walls.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander H. Howell, Carsten Voelkner, Patrick McGreevy, Kaare H. Jensen, Rainer Waadt, Simon Gilroy, Hans-Henning Kunz, Winfried S. Peters, Michael Knoblauch
Summary: The micro-cantilever technique applied to individual leaf epidermis cells of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum revealed that compressive forces induced local calcium peaks followed by slowly moving calcium waves. Releasing the force triggered significantly faster calcium waves. Different wave characteristics suggest distinct mechanisms and the ability of plants to distinguish touch signals from release signals.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sonhita Chakraborty, Masatsugu Toyota, Wolfgang Moeder, Kimberley Chin, Alex Fortuna, Marc Champigny, Steffen Vanneste, Simon Gilroy, Tom Beeckman, Eiji Nambara, Keiko Yoshioka
Summary: CNGC2 has been implicated in plant immunity and Ca2+ signaling, but also plays a role in auxin signaling regulation. Mutants of cngc2 display defects in gravitropism and auxin response, with higher levels of endogenous auxin. These phenotypes can be suppressed by mutations in auxin biosynthesis genes, suggesting a tight relationship between CNGC2 and auxin homeostasis.