Featured
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| Open AccessTargeted delivery of nanomaterials with chemical cargoes in plants enabled by a biorecognition motif
Targeted delivery of nanomaterials to subcellular compartments could allow precision engineering of plant function. Here, Santana et al. show that quantum dots functionalized with a rationally-designed targeting peptide are preferentially delivered to chloroplasts where they can be used to tune organellar redox status.
- Israel Santana
- , Honghong Wu
- & Juan Pablo Giraldo
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Article
| Open AccessMild proteasomal stress improves photosynthetic performance in Arabidopsis chloroplasts
Most chloroplast proteins are imported from the cytosol and thus transiently exposed to the cytosolic proteasome. Here the authors show that impairment of the cytosolic proteasome can elevate precursor protein abundance and photosynthetic activity suggesting that cytosolic protein turnover is a means to tune plastid function.
- Julia Grimmer
- , Stefan Helm
- & Sacha Baginsky
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Article
| Open AccessIncreasing ambient temperature progressively disassembles Arabidopsis phytochrome B from individual photobodies with distinct thermostabilities
Temperature modulates plant development and environmental responses. Here, the authors show that increasing ambient temperature reduces the number of sub-nuclear photobodies in Arabidopsis by promoting selective disassembly of thermo-unstable photobodies in a manner dependent on phytochrome B’s photosensory module.
- Joseph Hahm
- , Keunhwa Kim
- & Meng Chen
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Article
| Open AccessPrimary cell wall inspired micro containers as a step towards a synthetic plant cell
Assembling synthetic plant cell is difficult due to the presence of primary cell wall. Here, the authors describe the assembly of lipid-containing bodies that can be coated with cellulose and pectin, and show how these so-called plantosomes can be manipulated by changing surrounding milieu.
- T. Paulraj
- , S. Wennmalm
- & A. J. Svagan
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Article
| Open AccessAuxin-dependent control of a plasmodesmal regulator creates a negative feedback loop modulating lateral root emergence
Auxin promotes lateral root emergence from pericycle cells in the root vasculature. Here the authors show that induction of the plasmodesmal regulator PDLP5 during lateral root emergence restricts the spatial scope of auxin signaling to the cells overlying the primordia.
- Ross Sager
- , Xu Wang
- & Jung-Youn Lee
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Article
| Open AccessPolar recruitment of RLD by LAZY1-like protein during gravity signaling in root branch angle control
In Arabidopsis, LZY proteins are involved in specifying the angle of root growth relative to the direction of gravity. Here the authors identify RLD1, a LZY-interacting protein that is recruited to the plasma membrane in a polar manner and is required to establish asymmetric auxin transport and set root angles.
- Masahiko Furutani
- , Yoshinori Hirano
- & Miyo Terao Morita
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Article
| Open AccessPlant AtEH/Pan1 proteins drive autophagosome formation at ER-PM contact sites with actin and endocytic machinery
Arabidopsis EH/Pan1 proteins are part of the TPLATE complex (TPC) that is required for endocytosis in plants. Here, the authors show AtEH/Pan1 proteins also act in actin-mediated autophagy, by interacting with VAP27-1 at ER-PM contact sites and recruiting TPLATE and AP-2 complex subunits, clathrin and ARP2/3/ proteins to autophagosomes.
- Pengwei Wang
- , Roman Pleskot
- & Patrick J. Hussey
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular architecture of softwood revealed by solid-state NMR
Understanding the interactions between the constituents of the cell walls in wood is important for understanding the mechanical properties. Here, the authors report on a solid-state NMR study of never-dried softwood, noticing differences to previous reports and develop a model of softwood architecture.
- Oliver M. Terrett
- , Jan J. Lyczakowski
- & Paul Dupree
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Article
| Open AccessEthylene-mediated nitric oxide depletion pre-adapts plants to hypoxia stress
Plant hypoxia responses are controlled by oxygen and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent proteolysis of ERFVII transcription factors. Here Hartman et al. show that passive ethylene entrapment during root submergence enhances NO-scavenger PHYTOGLOBIN1, ERFVII stability and promotes subsequent hypoxia tolerance.
- Sjon Hartman
- , Zeguang Liu
- & Laurentius A. C. J. Voesenek
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Article
| Open AccessGIGANTEA recruits the UBP12 and UBP13 deubiquitylases to regulate accumulation of the ZTL photoreceptor complex
The daily accumulation of the ZEITLUPE (ZTL) photoreceptor/E3 ubiquitin ligase relies on a light-dependent interaction with GIGANTEA (GI). Here the authors show that GI recruits two deubiquitylases to help stabilize the ZTL-GI complex during the day and likely counterbalance the activity of ZTL.
- Chin-Mei Lee
- , Man-Wah Li
- & Joshua M. Gendron
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Article
| Open AccessPlant circadian rhythms regulate the effectiveness of a glyphosate-based herbicide
Glyphosate is the world’s most widely-used herbicide. Here, Belbin et al. show that plant responses to glyphosate, and therefore herbicide activity, depend on plant circadian rhythms suggesting that considering the time-of-day of application could lead to more efficient agrochemical use.
- Fiona E. Belbin
- , Gavin J. Hall
- & Antony N. Dodd
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Article
| Open AccessControlling intercellular flow through mechanosensitive plasmodesmata nanopores
Plasmodesmata channels connect neighbouring plant cells and respond to external stimuli via changes in permeability. Here Park et al. propose that mechanical forces can displace the dumbbell-shaped ER-desmotubule complex that spans the central plasmodesmatal cylinder leading to closure of the pore.
- Keunhwan Park
- , Jan Knoblauch
- & Kaare H. Jensen
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Article
| Open AccessPAWH1 and PAWH2 are plant-specific components of an Arabidopsis endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation complex
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) removes misfolded proteins from the secretory pathway. Here the authors identify two plant-specific proteins in Arabidopsis, PAWH1 and PAWH2, that bind to and stabilise the ER-anchored ubiquitin ligase Hrd1.
- Liangguang Lin
- , Congcong Zhang
- & Jianming Li
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Article
| Open AccessSHB1 and CCA1 interaction desensitizes light responses and enhances thermomorphogenesis
The PIF4 transcription factor promotes adaptation to elevated temperature but is degraded under red light to trigger photomorphogenesis. Here Sun et al. show that the core circadian component CCA1 recruits SHB1 to sustain PIF4 expression after dawn to balance thermomorphogenesis and light responses.
- Qingbin Sun
- , Shulei Wang
- & Min Ni
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Article
| Open AccessOrthogonal regulation of phytochrome B abundance by stress-specific plastidial retrograde signaling metabolite
MEcPP is an evolutionarily conserved metabolite that acts as a plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signal to regulate adaptive responses to fluctuating light. Here the authors show that MEcPP regulates seedling development by stabilizing the phyB photoreceptor in an auxin and Ca2+ dependent manner.
- Jishan Jiang
- , Liping Zeng
- & Katayoon Dehesh
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Article
| Open AccessA protein complex required for polar growth of rhizobial infection threads
Many legumes accommodate rhizobial symbionts via transcellular infection threads. Here the authors show that in Medicago root hairs, polar growth of the infection thread requires a tip-localized protein complex consisting of VPY and VPY-like proteins that are stabilized by the E3 ligase LIN, as well as an exocyst complex subunit.
- Cheng-Wu Liu
- , Andrew Breakspear
- & Jeremy D. Murray
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Article
| Open AccessOxidative post-translational modification of EXECUTER1 is required for singlet oxygen sensing in plastids
Singlet oxygen generated by photosynthesis under photo-oxidative stress conditions triggers retrograde signaling from plastids to nuclei. Here, the authors show that singlet oxygen perception and subsequent signaling events require oxidative post-translational modification of the EXECUTER1 protein.
- Vivek Dogra
- , Mingyue Li
- & Chanhong Kim
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Article
| Open AccessPhytochrome activates the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase for chloroplast biogenesis via nucleus-to-plastid signaling
Light initiates chloroplast biogenesis by controlling gene expression in plastids. Here Yoo et al. show that nuclear phytochrome signaling triggers plastid gene expression via a novel dual-localized protein necessary for nuclear phytochrome signaling and subsequent anterograde signaling to the plastid.
- Chan Yul Yoo
- , Elise K. Pasoreck
- & Meng Chen
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Article
| Open AccessLUX ARRHYTHMO mediates crosstalk between the circadian clock and defense in Arabidopsis
Circadian control of plant defence likely reflects plants’ ability to coordinate development and defense. Here, Zhang et al. show that LUX regulates stomatal defense and SA/JA signaling, leading to broad-spectrum disease resistance, and that JA signaling can, in turn, regulate clock activity.
- Chong Zhang
- , Min Gao
- & Hua Lu
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Perspective
| Open AccessAre microtubules tension sensors?
Cellular mechanical stress is a key determinant of cell shape and function, but how the cell senses stress direction is unclear. In this Perspective the authors propose that microtubules autonomously sense stress directions in plant cells, where tensile stresses are higher than in animal cells.
- Olivier Hamant
- , Daisuke Inoue
- & Eric Mjolsness
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Article
| Open Access4-Coumarate 3-hydroxylase in the lignin biosynthesis pathway is a cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase
Lignin biosynthesis in higher plants relies upon a 3-hydroxylation reaction that can occur via shikimate esters of 4-coumarate. Here, Barros et al. define an alternative biosynthetic pathway via cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase that can catalyze direct 3-hydroxylation of 4-coumarate.
- Jaime Barros
- , Luis Escamilla-Trevino
- & Richard A. Dixon
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Article
| Open AccessSWITCH 1/DYAD is a WINGS APART-LIKE antagonist that maintains sister chromatid cohesion in meiosis
During cell division, Soronin antagonises WAPL to prevent premature loss of sister chromatid cohesion. Here the authors show that, despite a lack of sequence similarity, the Arabidopsis SWI1 protein functions as a novel Soronin-like WAPL antagonist, suggesting convergent evolution with animals.
- Chao Yang
- , Yuki Hamamura
- & Arp Schnittger
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Article
| Open AccessQuantitative analysis of plant ER architecture and dynamics
Quantitative study of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure and dynamics has been a challenge. Here, the authors introduce software to automatically extract ER network elements from multi-dimensional fluorescence images of plant ER and to quantify structure, topology, protein localization and dynamics.
- Charlotte Pain
- , Verena Kriechbaumer
- & Mark Fricker
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Perspective
| Open AccessContinuous dynamic adjustment of the plant circadian oscillator
Biological circadian rhythms maintain a period close to 24 h in coordination with the Earth’s fixed rotational period. Here Webb et al. discuss how external cues continuously adjust phase and period, viewing the oscillator as a dynamically-adjusted plastic system rather than tightly-coupled cogs in a mechanical clock.
- Alex A. R. Webb
- , Motohide Seki
- & Camila Caldana
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Article
| Open AccessA Rho-actin signaling pathway shapes cell wall boundaries in Arabidopsis xylem vessels
Cell wall pits allow movement of water between xylem vessels and are formed via Rho-GTPase mediated signaling that leads to local microtubule disassembly. Here, Sugiyama et al. show that an additional Rho-GTPase pathway controls cell wall deposition and actin dynamics to form pit boundaries.
- Yuki Sugiyama
- , Yoshinobu Nagashima
- & Yoshihisa Oda
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Article
| Open AccessLignin-polysaccharide interactions in plant secondary cell walls revealed by solid-state NMR
The interactions of lignin with polysaccharides in plant secondary cell walls are not well understood. Here the authors employ solid-state NMR measurements to analyse intact stems of maize, Arabidopsis, switchgrass and rice and observe that lignin self-aggregates and forms highly hydrophobic microdomains that make extensive surface contacts to xylan.
- Xue Kang
- , Alex Kirui
- & Tuo Wang
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Article
| Open AccessOxygen-dependent proteolysis regulates the stability of angiosperm polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit VERNALIZATION 2
VRN2 is a Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 subunit, best known as a regulator of vernalization that accumulates during prolonged cold. Here Gibbs et al. show that VRN2 is degraded via the N-end rule pathway, which prevents ectopic accumulation of VRN2 in the absence of appropriate environmental stimuli.
- Daniel J. Gibbs
- , Hannah M. Tedds
- & Michael J. Holdsworth
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Article
| Open AccessTGNap1 is required for microtubule-dependent homeostasis of a subpopulation of the plant trans-Golgi network
The plant trans-Golgi network comprises functionally distinct subcompartments. Here Renna et al. show that the TGNap1 protein acts in microtubule-dependent biogenesis, tracking and function of a TGN subset, highlighting diversification within the plant TGN.
- Luciana Renna
- , Giovanni Stefano
- & Federica Brandizzi
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Article
| Open AccessInteractions between callose and cellulose revealed through the analysis of biopolymer mixtures
Despite their importance in plant development and defence the properties of (1,3)-β-glucan remain largely unknown. Here, the authors find that addition of (1,3)-β-glucans increases the flexibility of cellulose and its resilience to high strain, an effect originating in molecular level interactions.
- Radwa H. Abou-Saleh
- , Mercedes C. Hernandez-Gomez
- & Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso
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Article
| Open AccessSystemic signaling contributes to the unfolded protein response of the plant endoplasmic reticulum
The unfolded protein response (UPR) maintains cellular function under ER stress. While typically considered cell autonomous, here Lai et al. show that in Arabidopsis the UPR also has a systemic component triggered by intercellular movement of at least one bZIP transcription factor.
- Ya-Shiuan Lai
- , Giovanni Stefano
- & Federica Brandizzi
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Article
| Open AccessA plant Bro1 domain protein BRAF regulates multivesicular body biogenesis and membrane protein homeostasis
The ESCRT complex contributes to selective vacuolar degradation of membrane proteins. Here, the authors show that the plant-specific BRAF protein negatively regulates intraluminal vesicle formation and membrane protein degradation by preventing FREE1 binding to the ESCRT-I complex protein Vps23.
- Jinbo Shen
- , Qiong Zhao
- & Liwen Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessThe REN4 rheostat dynamically coordinates the apical and lateral domains of Arabidopsis pollen tubes
Polar growth of pollen tubes is established by polar localization of ROP1 GTPase activity at the apical tip. Here, Li et al. identify REN4 as a ROP1 interaction partner that restrains the ROP1 distribution to the apex by promoting ROP1 endocytosis from lateral domains of the pollen tube membrane.
- Hui Li
- , Nan Luo
- & Zhenbiao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessInterplay of the two ancient metabolites auxin and MEcPP regulates adaptive growth
MEcPP is an evolutionarily conserved plastidial metabolite functioning as a retrograde signal to the nucleus in response to environmental stresses. Here Jiang et al. show that MEcPP can reduce the abundance of auxin and an auxin transporter, providing a mechanistic link between plastids and adaptive growth responses.
- Jishan Jiang
- , Cecilia Rodriguez-Furlan
- & Katayoon Dehesh
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Article
| Open AccessBeclin1 restricts RNA virus infection in plants through suppression and degradation of the viral polymerase
Plant DNA virus replication is inhibited by autophagy, but the interplay between plant RNA viruses and autophagy is less clear. Here, Li et al. show that turnip mosaic virus infection activates autophagy and that Beclin1, a core autophagy component, binds the viral polymerase and inhibits virus replication.
- Fangfang Li
- , Changwei Zhang
- & Aiming Wang
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Article
| Open AccessThe preprophase band-associated kinesin-14 OsKCH2 is a processive minus-end-directed microtubule motor
Land plants lack the cytoplasmic dynein motor in fungi and animals that shows processive minus-end-directed motility on microtubules. Here the authors demonstrate that land plants have evolved novel processive minus-end-directed kinesin-14 motors that likely compensate for the absence of dynein.
- Kuo-Fu Tseng
- , Pan Wang
- & Weihong Qiu
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Article
| Open AccessNanobody-triggered lockdown of VSRs reveals ligand reloading in the Golgi
Vacuolar sorting receptors (VSRs) are suggested to efficiently transport hydrolases by continuous cycling. Here, the authors use a nanobody-epitope interaction-based labeling approach to trace VSR recycling from the TGN/EE to the cis-Golgi and reveal ligand reloading of recycled VSRs.
- Simone Früholz
- , Florian Fäßler
- & Peter Pimpl
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Article
| Open AccessRedox regulation of PEP activity during seedling establishment in Arabidopsis thaliana
The plastid-encoded RNA polymerase PEP is regulated according to plastid redox state. Here, the authors show that the redox-regulated PRIN2 protein is reduced to monomeric form in a thiol-dependent manner in response to light and that PRIN2 monomers are required for PEP activity and retrograde signaling.
- Manuel Guinea Díaz
- , Tamara Hernández-Verdeja
- & Åsa Strand
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Article
| Open AccessExocytosis-coordinated mechanisms for tip growth underlie pollen tube growth guidance
Tip-growing cells can find their growing path toward the source of attractive signals. Here, using experimental data and mathematical modeling, Luo et al. demonstrate that tip-localized exocytosis can integrate guidance cues with Rho GTPase signaling to control cell wall mechanics and direct tip growth in Arabidopsis pollen tubes.
- Nan Luo
- , An Yan
- & Zhenbiao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessA mechanosensitive Ca2+ channel activity is dependent on the developmental regulator DEK1
A rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration is a well-described response of plant cells to mechanical stimulation. Here the authors show that the DEK1 protein, which is essential for epidermis specification and development in plants, is required for triggering a mechanically-activated Ca2+ channel.
- Daniel Tran
- , Roberta Galletti
- & Gwyneth C. Ingram
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Article
| Open AccessTyrosine phosphorylation of the GARU E3 ubiquitin ligase promotes gibberellin signalling by preventing GID1 degradation
Plants respond to gibberellins via GID1-dependent degradation of DELLA proteins. Here, Nemoto et al. show that the gibberellin response is positively regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation of GARU, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates degradation of GID1.
- Keiichirou Nemoto
- , Abdelaziz Ramadan
- & Tatsuya Sawasaki
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Article
| Open AccessTowards designer organelles by subverting the peroxisomal import pathway
Designer organelles could allow the isolation of synthetic biological pathways from endogenous components of the host cell. Here the authors engineer a peroxisomal protein import pathway orthogonal to the naturally occurring system.
- Laura L. Cross
- , Rupesh Paudyal
- & Stuart L. Warriner
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Article
| Open AccessRatiometric Matryoshka biosensors from a nested cassette of green- and orange-emitting fluorescent proteins
Single fluorescent protein biosensors are susceptible to expression and instrumental artifacts. Here Ast et al. describe a dual fluorescent protein design whereby a reference fluorescent protein is nested within a reporter fluorescent protein to control for such artifacts while preserving sensitivity and dynamic range.
- Cindy Ast
- , Jessica Foret
- & Wolf B. Frommer
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Article
| Open AccessThe transcriptional repressor complex FRS7-FRS12 regulates flowering time and growth in Arabidopsis
The plant circadian clock regulates numerous developmental processes such as seasonal growth and flowering time. Here Ritteret al. identify two transcription factors, FRS7 and FRS12, which interact to form a repressor complex that regulates clock output partially by controlling the expression of GIGANTEA and PIF4.
- Andrés Ritter
- , Sabrina Iñigo
- & Alain Goossens
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Article
| Open AccessCell-size dependent progression of the cell cycle creates homeostasis and flexibility of plant cell size
The mechanistic coupling of cell growth and cell cycle control with cell size regulation in tissues is not well understood. Here, the authors show that within the shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis cell size depends on developmental stage, genotype and environmental signals; however cell growth and cell division are cell-autonomously coordinated.
- Angharad R. Jones
- , Manuel Forero-Vargas
- & James A. H. Murray
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Article
| Open AccessGIGANTEA is a co-chaperone which facilitates maturation of ZEITLUPE in the Arabidopsis circadian clock
The plant-specific GIGANTEA protein regulates the circadian clock by stabilizing the F-box protein ZEITLUPE via an unknown mechanism. Here Cha et al. show that GIGANTEA has intrinsic chaperone activity and can facilitate ZEITLUPE maturation by acting synergistically with HSP90.
- Joon-Yung Cha
- , Jeongsik Kim
- & David E. Somers
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Article
| Open AccessFolding of xylan onto cellulose fibrils in plant cell walls revealed by solid-state NMR
The polysaccharide xylan binds to cellulose microfibrils in the plant cell wall, but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. Here Simmonset al. show that while xylan forms a threefold helical screw in solution it forms a twofold screw to bind cellulose microfibrils in the plant cell wall.
- Thomas J. Simmons
- , Jenny C. Mortimer
- & Paul Dupree
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Article
| Open AccessTOC1–PIF4 interaction mediates the circadian gating of thermoresponsive growth in Arabidopsis
The PIF4 transcription factor mediates the response of Arabidopsis seedlings to elevated temperature. Here the authors show that PIF4 interacts with the circadian clock component TOC1 which acts to suppress the PIF4-mediated temperature response in the evening.
- Jia-Ying Zhu
- , Eunkyoo Oh
- & Zhi-Yong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessAtSWEET13 and AtSWEET14 regulate gibberellin-mediated physiological processes
SWEET proteins are known to function as sugar transporters. Here, Kannoet al. show that Arabidopsis SWEET13 and SWEET14 are also able to transport the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) in heterologous systems and that sweetmutants display phenotypes consistent with altered GA response.
- Yuri Kanno
- , Takaya Oikawa
- & Mitsunori Seo
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Article
| Open AccessLWD–TCP complex activates the morning gene CCA1 in Arabidopsis
TheArabidopsisCCA1 transcription factor is a core regulator of the circadian clock. Here, the authors show that the LWD1 protein, in complex with the TCP20 or TCP22 transcription factors, acts as a co-activator of CCA1 expression contributing to elevated CCA1 expression at dawn.
- Jing-Fen Wu
- , Huang-Lung Tsai
- & Shu-Hsing Wu