Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessCell lineage-specific transcriptome analysis for interpreting cell fate specification of proembryos
Asymmetric division of the Arabidopsis zygote produces apical and basal cells that mainly develop into embryo and suspensor, respectively. Here, Zhou et al. show that de novo transcription and selective RNA turnover establish distinct apical and basal transcriptomes as early as the 1-cell stage of embryo development.
- Xuemei Zhou
- , Zhenzhen Liu
- & Meng-Xiang Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessBES1 is activated by EMS1-TPD1-SERK1/2-mediated signaling to control tapetum development in Arabidopsis thaliana
BES1 and BZR1 transcription factors are activated by the BRI1-BAK1 receptor complex during brassinosteroid signaling. Here the authors show that BES1-family members also act in anthers, downstream of another receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling pathway, EMS1-TPD1-SERK1/2, to promote tapetum development.
- Weiyue Chen
- , Minghui Lv
- & Jia Li
-
Article
| Open AccessEMS1 and BRI1 control separate biological processes via extracellular domain diversity and intracellular domain conservation
EMS1 is a receptor-like kinase that recognizes the peptide ligand TPD1 to specify tapeta in Arabidopsis. Here, via a reciprocal complementation approach, the authors provide evidence that intracellular signaling by EMS1 is interchangeable with that of the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1.
- Bowen Zheng
- , Qunwei Bai
- & Guang Wu
-
Article
| Open AccessMaternal control of suspensor programmed cell death via gibberellin signaling
Plant embryos are connected to maternal tissue by a filamentous suspensor, analogous to an umbilical cord, but which is severed during early embryo development. Here, Shi et al. show that gibberellins can trigger suspensor cell death in tobacco via a DELLA protein that regulates expression of cell death factors.
- Ce Shi
- , Pan Luo
- & Meng-Xiang Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessThe transcription factor OsSUF4 interacts with SDG725 in promoting H3K36me3 establishment
The distribution of H3K36me3 varies between species. Here Liu et al. show that the OsSUF4 transcription factor binds its target motif via a zinc finger domain to promote H3K36 methyltransferase targeting close to the transcription start site of genes including the flowering regulators RFT1 and Hd3a.
- Bing Liu
- , Yuhao Liu
- & Aiwu Dong
-
Article
| Open AccessAn asymmetric allelic interaction drives allele transmission bias in interspecific rice hybrids
Our limited understanding of the hybrid sterility (HS) mechanism in Asian–African rice hybrids hampers utilization of the interspecific heterosis for rice production. Here, the authors identify S1-mediated HS-related tripartite gamete killer-protector system, and explore their evolutionary relationship.
- Yongyao Xie
- , Jintao Tang
- & Letian Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessA pistil-expressed pectin methylesterase confers cross-incompatibility between strains of Zea mays
Domesticated maize and some varieties of wild teosinte grow in close proximity in parts of Mexico but rarely cross-fertilize. Here the authors show that a pistil-expressed pectin methylesterase, encoded by a gene within the Teosinte crossing barrier1-s haplotype, prevents fertilization of these teosintes by incompatible pollen.
- Yongxian Lu
- , Samuel A. Hokin
- & Mathew M. S. Evans
-
Article
| Open AccessThe Arabidopsis H3K27me3 demethylase JUMONJI 13 is a temperature and photoperiod dependent flowering repressor
Jumonji domain-containing histone demethylases regulate flowering in plants. Here Zheng et al. show that Arabidopsis JMJ13 is an H3K27me3 demethylase that recognizes H3K27me3 via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions and affects both photoperiod and temperature-dependent flowering responses.
- Shuzhi Zheng
- , Hongmiao Hu
- & Jiamu Du
-
Article
| Open AccessDivergent roles of FT-like 9 in flowering transition under different day lengths in Brachypodium distachyon
Plant flowering time is modified by day length. Here the authors show that the model grass Brachypodium distachyon expresses different homologs of FT in short and long days to produce floral activator complexes with altered activities contributing to photoperiod-dependence of flowering time.
- Zhengrui Qin
- , Yuxue Bai
- & Liang Wu
-
Article
| Open Access24-nt reproductive phasiRNAs are broadly present in angiosperms
24-nt phased siRNA (phasiRNA) regulate reproduction in grasses, yet are absent from Arabidopsis, and were thought to be monocot-specific. Here, Xia et al. show that 24-nt phasiRNAs are in fact broadly distributed among eudicots and are consistently enriched during meiosis, despite possibly arising from distinct biogenesis pathways.
- Rui Xia
- , Chengjie Chen
- & Blake C. Meyers
-
Article
| Open AccessTranscription factor DUO1 generated by neo-functionalization is associated with evolution of sperm differentiation in plants
The evolutionary mechanisms leading to the development of sperm are poorly understood. Here, the authors infer that neofunctionalisation and expression changes of the orthologue of DUO1 in algal ancestors of land plants were key events for sperm differentiation and sexual reproduction in this lineage.
- Asuka Higo
- , Tomokazu Kawashima
- & Takashi Araki
-
Article
| Open AccessGenus-wide sequencing supports a two-locus model for sex-determination in Phoenix
The origin and evolution of separate sexes in plants are long-standing questions. Here, the authors use genus-wide sequencing to identify sex determining candidate genes in the genus Phoenix and demonstrate the consistence with the previously proposed two-mutation model.
- Maria F. Torres
- , Lisa S. Mathew
- & Joel A. Malek
-
Article
| Open AccessA PECTIN METHYLESTERASE gene at the maize Ga1 locus confers male function in unilateral cross-incompatibility
Unilateral cross-incompatibility between certain varieties of maize prevents cross-fertilization and can facilitate hybrid breeding. Here the authors show that a PECTIN METHYLESTERASE gene is able to overcome this reproductive barrier and confer fertility when expressed in pollen of the male parent.
- Zhaogui Zhang
- , Baocai Zhang
- & Huabang Chen
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessKin discrimination allows plants to modify investment towards pollinator attraction
Plants can recognize nearby kin and alter their growth in response. Here, Torices et al. demonstrate that flower production can also be sensitive to social context, with plants producing larger floral displays in the presence of relatives, which may increase attraction of pollinators to the group.
- Rubén Torices
- , José M. Gómez
- & John R. Pannell
-
Article
| Open AccessAbsence of warmth permits epigenetic memory of winter in Arabidopsis
Plants use multiple cues to monitor seasonal temperatures. Here, the authors show that Arabidopsis requires not only prolonged cold, but the absence of temperature spikes above 15 °C to epigenetically silence FLC during winter.
- Jo Hepworth
- , Rea L. Antoniou-Kourounioti
- & Caroline Dean
-
Article
| Open AccessDeficiency of a triterpene pathway results in humidity-sensitive genic male sterility in rice
In flowering plants, the pollen coat surrounds the male germ cells and protects against dehydration, damage and pathogen attack. Here, the authors show that a deficiency in terpenoid synthesis results in rice pollen over-dehydration and leads to a humidity-sensitive conditional male sterile phenotype.
- Zheyong Xue
- , Xia Xu
- & Xiaoquan Qi
-
Article
| Open AccessThe F-box protein FKF1 inhibits dimerization of COP1 in the control of photoperiodic flowering
CONSTANS promotes flowering under long-day conditions in Arabidopsis but is rapidly degraded in short-day conditions. Here the authors show that the blue-light photoreceptor FKF1 can interact with the E3 ligase COP1 in a light-dependent manner and prevent degradation of CO in long-day conditions.
- Byoung-Doo Lee
- , Mi Ri Kim
- & Nam-Chon Paek
-
Article
| Open AccessFruit fracture biomechanics and the release of Lepidium didymum pericarp-imposed mechanical dormancy by fungi
Mechanical dormancy imposed by a hard fruit pericarp prevents premature seed germination. Here, the authors show that the pericarp of Lepidium didymum prevents germination by limiting water uptake and that dormancy can be released by fungal activity that weakens predetermined breaking zones in the fruit coat.
- Katja Sperber
- , Tina Steinbrecher
- & Klaus Mummenhoff
-
Article
| Open AccessStructural basis for receptor recognition of pollen tube attraction peptides
The cysteine-rich peptides LUREs play an essential role in pollen tube attraction to the ovule for plant sexual reproduction. Here Zhang et al. show that PRK6 functions as a receptor of the LUREs in Arabidopsis thaliana and reveal the ligand recognition mechanism.
- Xiaoxiao Zhang
- , Weijia Liu
- & Jijie Chai
-
Article
| Open AccessGenomic structural variation-mediated allelic suppression causes hybrid male sterility in rice
A reproductive barrier between japonica and indica rice subspecies hinders hybrid breeding. Here, the authors reveal that structural and copy number variations of a pollen-essential gene, which encodes a DUF1618-domain protein, result in allelic suppression and subsequently cause hybrid male sterility.
- Rongxin Shen
- , Lan Wang
- & Yao-Guang Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessFine-tuning of auxin homeostasis governs the transition from floral stem cell maintenance to gynoecium formation
In Arabidopsis, the timing of floral meristem termination is determined by AGAMOUS. Here, the authors show that the CRC transcription factor, itself a direct target of AGAMOUS, coordinates meristem termination with subsequent gynoecium formation partly by repressing TRN2 expression and regulating auxin homeostasis.
- Nobutoshi Yamaguchi
- , Jiangbo Huang
- & Toshiro Ito
-
Article
| Open AccessTriparental plants provide direct evidence for polyspermy induced polyploidy
The fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm is typically lethal. Here, via a novel reporter assay, Nakel et al. report the generation of triparental triploid Arabidopsis plants, implying that polyspermy is a plausible route toward polyploidy during plant evolution.
- Thomas Nakel
- , Dawit G. Tekleyohans
- & Rita GroĂź-Hardt
-
Article
| Open AccessMolecular identification of the wheat male fertility gene Ms1 and its prospects for hybrid breeding
Heterosis can rapidly boost yield in crop species but development of hybrid-breeding systems for bread wheat remains a challenge. Here, Tucker et al. describe the molecular identification of the wheat Ms1 gene and discuss its potential for large-scale hybrid seed production in wheat.
- Elise J. Tucker
- , Ute Baumann
- & Ryan Whitford
-
Article
| Open AccessControl of chrysanthemum flowering through integration with an aging pathway
The mechanisms by which plant age regulates flowering remain incompletely understood. Here the authors show that age dependent regulation of SPL transcription factors by miR156 influence flowering via control of NF-YB8 expression in Chrysanthemum.
- Qian Wei
- , Chao Ma
- & Junping Gao
-
Article
| Open AccessDELAY OF GERMINATION1 requires PP2C phosphatases of the ABA signalling pathway to control seed dormancy
The DOG1 protein is a major regulator of seed dormancy in Arabidopsis. Here, NĂ©e et al. provide evidence that DOG1 can interact with the type 2C protein phosphatases AHG1 and AHG3 and that this represents the convergence point of the DOG1-regulated dormancy pathway and signalling by the plant hormone abscisic acid.
- Guillaume NĂ©e
- , Katharina Kramer
- & Wim J. J. Soppe
-
Article
| Open AccessReal-time divergent evolution in plants driven by pollinators
Pollinators are thought to be a driver of plant diversification, but their effects are difficult to disentangle from those of other biotic and abiotic factors. Here, the authors let plants evolve under different pollination regimes and show rapid and divergent evolution of plant height, floral traits and mating system.
- Daniel D. L. Gervasi
- & Florian P Schiestl
-
Article
| Open AccessRegulation of FT splicing by an endogenous cue in temperate grasses
The correct timing of transition from the vegetative to reproductive stage is critical during the plant life cycle. Here the authors show that age dependent alternative splicing ofFLOWERING LOCUS T mRNA regulates phase transitions in Brachypodium distachyon.
- Zhengrui Qin
- , Jiajie Wu
- & Liang Wu
-
Article
| Open AccessExperimental evidence of pollination in marine flowers by invertebrate fauna
Marine plants reproduce by hydrophilly, that is, the movement of pollen by water. Here, the authors show that invertebrates can also carry pollen from male to female Thalassia testudinum plants.
- Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek
- , Nora Villamil
- & Vivianne Solis-Weiss
-
Article
| Open AccessThe Arabidopsis MIEL1 E3 ligase negatively regulates ABA signalling by promoting protein turnover of MYB96
The phytohormone abscisic acid controls plant responses to environmental stress, partly by regulating protein turnover. Here the authors propose that abscisic acid regulates seed germination by promoting degradation of the MYB96 transcription factor via the MIEL1 E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase.
- Hong Gil Lee
- & Pil Joon Seo
-
Article
| Open AccessAlanine aminotransferase controls seed dormancy in barley
Seed dormancy allows wild barley grains to survive dry summers in the Near East but has been selected against for industrial applications such as beer and whisky production that require quicker germination. Here Sato et al. show that Qsd1is a major seed dormancy gene in barley and encodes an alanine aminotransferase.
- Kazuhiro Sato
- , Miki Yamane
- & Takao Komatsuda
-
Article
| Open AccessA subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex is required for interspecific gametophyte recognition in Arabidopsis
Species-specific gamete recognition is needed to maintain species boundaries. Here, MĂĽller et al. show that ARTUMES regulates pollen tube recognition between different Arabidopsisspecies, representing the first gene known to exclusively influence inter- but not intraspecific gamete interaction in plants.
- Lena M. MĂĽller
- , Heike Lindner
- & Ueli Grossniklaus
-
Article
| Open AccessHSP90 regulates temperature-dependent seedling growth in Arabidopsis by stabilizing the auxin co-receptor F-box protein TIR1
A moderate increase in temperature promotes hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis. Here, Wang et al.show that elevated temperature not only increases auxin biosynthesis but also acts via the co-chaperones HSP90 and SGT1 to stabilize the TIR1 auxin receptor.
- Renhou Wang
- , Yi Zhang
- & Mark Estelle
-
Article
| Open AccessS-nitrosylation triggers ABI5 degradation to promote seed germination and seedling growth
Nitric oxide counteracts the inhibitory effects of the plant hormone ABA during seed germination and seedling growth. Here, Albertos et al. show that nitric oxide can act antagonistically to ABA by inducing the S-nitrosylation and degradation of the ABI5 transcription factor involved in ABA signalling.
- Pablo Albertos
- , MarĂa C. Romero-Puertas
- & Oscar Lorenzo
-
Article
| Open AccessAbscisic acid transporters cooperate to control seed germination
Seed germination is repressed by release of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) to the embryo from the surrounding endosperm tissue. Here Kang et al. characterize four different ABA transporters and propose that they act in concert to control ABA release and regulate germination.
- Joohyun Kang
- , Sojeong Yim
- & Youngsook Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessSCARECROW-LIKE15 interacts with HISTONE DEACETYLASE19 and is essential for repressing the seed maturation programme
Epigenetic regulation is critical for controlling gene expression during the transition from embryo to seedling in plants. Here Gao et al. report that in Arabidopsis, the SCARECROW-LIKE15 protein physically interacts with a histone deacetylase to repress expression of embryonic traits in seedlings.
- Ming-Jun Gao
- , Xiang Li
- & Dwayne D. Hegedus
-
Article
| Open AccessDelivery of crop pollination services is an insufficient argument for wild pollinator conservation
One argument for conserving biological diversity is that it delivers beneficial ecosystem services. However, Kleijn et al.show that the economic benefits of crop pollination are delivered by only a small subset of relatively common species, arguing that threatened species should be considered separately.
- David Kleijn
- , Rachael Winfree
- & Simon G Potts
-
Article
| Open AccessArabidopsis uses two gluconeogenic gateways for organic acids to fuel seedling establishment
During seed germination plants use gluconeogenesis to mobilize noncarbohydrate energy reserves. Here Eastmond et al. show that plants, unlike other eukaryotes, do not solely rely on a gluconeogenic pathway via the enzyme PCK but also use a second pathway relying on PPDK.
- Peter J. Eastmond
- , Holly M. Astley
- & Julian M. Hibberd
-
Article |
Bird–flower visitation networks in the Galápagos unveil a widespread interaction release
Vertebrate species on islands may display broader feeding niches than their mainland counterparts in response to poorer diets. Here, Traveset et al. show that almost all Galápagos land birds exploit floral resources across the archipelago in an extensive generalized network.
- Anna Traveset
- , Jens M. Olesen
- & Ruben Heleno
-
Article |
A mechanically sensitive cell layer regulates the physical properties of the Arabidopsis seed coat
Mechanical signalling is an important regulator of plant development. Here, Creff et al.propose that the perception of mechanical signals in growing seeds by a specific cell layer in the seed coat controls the accumulation of gibberellic acid and links mechanical signals to the regulation of seed size.
- Audrey Creff
- , Lysiane Brocard
- & Gwyneth Ingram
-
Article
| Open AccessThermogenesis-triggered seed dispersal in dwarf mistletoe
Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe is a parasitic forest pathogen that disperses its seeds via an explosive discharge. Here, deBruyn et al. show that ripened mistletoe fruits generate heat less than two minutes before this discharge, suggesting a role for thermogenesis in seed dispersal.
- Rolena A. J. deBruyn
- , Mark Paetkau
- & Cynthia Ross Friedman
-
Article |
Direct links between the vernalization response and other key traits of cereal crops
VRN1 is a central regulator of flowering following prolonged cold exposure in cereals. Here Deng et al. combine ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to identify downstream targets of VRN1 in barley and demonstrate direct links between the flowering pathway and genes controlling other important agronomic traits.
- Weiwei Deng
- , M. Cristina Casao
- & Ben Trevaskis
-
Article |
Endopolyploidization and flowering time are antagonistically regulated by checkpoint component MAD1 and immunity modulator MOS1
The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) complex is involved in mitotic quality control in yeast and animals. Here Bao et al. demonstrate that in plants, the SAC complex component MAD1 acts antagonistically to the immune regulator MOS1 to influence endopolyploidization and flowering time.
- Zhilong Bao
- , Ning Zhang
- & Jian Hua
-
Article |
Jumonji demethylases moderate precocious flowering at elevated temperature via regulation of FLC in Arabidopsis
Environmental stimuli affect flowering time in Arabidopsis by controlling expression of the FLC transcription factor. Here Gan et al. find that repressive epigenetic modifications at the FLC locus are removed by Jumonji demethylases to prevent precocious flowering at elevated temperature.
- Eng-Seng Gan
- , Yifeng Xu
- & Toshiro Ito
-
Article
| Open AccessMale–female communication triggers calcium signatures during fertilization in Arabidopsis
Fertilization involves species-specific interaction and eventually fusion of two gametic cells, and calcium signalling plays a key role in this process. Here, the authors monitor the changes in intracellular calcium that take place during fertilization of flowering plants and point to specific signatures associated with specific steps of the process.
- Philipp Denninger
- , Andrea Bleckmann
- & Guido Grossmann
-
Article
| Open AccessLive imaging of calcium spikes during double fertilization in Arabidopsis
Intracellular calcium waves are key signalling elements during the fertilization process of animals, involved in egg activation. Here the authors image calcium oscillations during the fertilization process in flowering plants, revealing specific signatures involved in the success of this process.
- Yuki Hamamura
- , Moe Nishimaki
- & Tetsuya Higashiyama
-
Article |
Nuclear factor Y-mediated H3K27me3 demethylation of the SOC1 locus orchestrates flowering responses of Arabidopsis
The onset of flowering is a major developmental transition in plants. Here, Hou et al. show that a NF-Y transcription factor complex exerts epigenetic control over the timing of flowering in Arabidopsisby modulating trimethylated H3K27 levels at a floral pathway integrator, SOC1, in response to environmental and intrinsic signals.
- Xingliang Hou
- , Jiannan Zhou
- & Hao Yu
-
Article
| Open AccessO-GlcNAc-mediated interaction between VER2 and TaGRP2 elicits TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation during vernalization in winter wheat
In temperate cereals such as winter wheat, prolonged periods of cold induce upregulation of TaVRN1 to control the timing of seasonal flowering. Xiao et al. show TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation is regulated by O-GlcNAc modification of the RNA-binding protein TaGRP2, which increases progressively in response to cold.
- Jun Xiao
- , Shujuan Xu
- & Kang Chong
-
Article
| Open AccessInduced and natural variation of promoter length modulates the photoperiodic response of FLOWERING LOCUS T
Gene expression at FLOWERING LOCUS T controls floral transition in many plants and is regulated by both environmental signals and internal cues. Liu et al. show that the distance between two regulatory sequences in the FT promoter varies with geographical location and determines responsiveness to photoperiod.
- Liangyu Liu
- , Jessika Adrian
- & Franziska Turck