Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessH3K27me3 demethylases alter HSP22 and HSP17.6C expression in response to recurring heat in Arabidopsis
Acclimation to high temperature increases tolerance of heat shock in plants. Here the authors show that JUMONJI H3K27me3 demethylases are needed for heat acclimation in Arabidopsis and act at loci encoding HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS to facilitate induction upon heat stress.
- Nobutoshi Yamaguchi
- , Satoshi Matsubara
- & Toshiro Ito
-
Article
| Open AccessHeteromeric HSFA2/HSFA3 complexes drive transcriptional memory after heat stress in Arabidopsis
Moderate heat stress primes plants to acquire tolerance to subsequent, more severe heat stress. Here the authors show that the HSFA3 transcription factor forms a heteromeric complex with HSFA2 to sustain activated transcription of genes required for acquired thermotolerance by promoting H3K4 hyper-methylation.
- Thomas Friedrich
- , Vicky Oberkofler
- & Isabel Bäurle
-
Article
| Open AccessPathogen effector recognition-dependent association of NRG1 with EDS1 and SAG101 in TNL receptor immunity
For defence, plants deploy nucleotide binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors to detect pathogens that signal via modular networks of downstream proteins. Here the authors report rapid induced association of non-interchangeable signalling pathway module components after NLR activation.
- Xinhua Sun
- , Dmitry Lapin
- & Jane E. Parker
-
Article
| Open AccessA Bacillus thuringiensis Cry protein controls soybean cyst nematode in transgenic soybean plants
Genetic resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is beginning to decline. Here, the authors report that soybean lines expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis protein Cy14Ab have significant levels of protection from SCN in both greenhouse and field trials.
- Theodore W. Kahn
- , Nicholas B. Duck
- & Julia Daum
-
Article
| Open AccessGenome-resolved metagenomics reveals role of iron metabolism in drought-induced rhizosphere microbiome dynamics
Advances in omics provide a tool to understand mechanisms for plant–microbial interactions under stress. Here the authors apply genome-resolved metagenomics to investigate sorghum and its microbiome responses to drought, identifying an unexpected role of iron metabolism.
- Ling Xu
- , Zhaobin Dong
- & Devin Coleman-Derr
-
Article
| Open AccessStructural basis of substrate recognition and thermal protection by a small heat shock protein
Structural insights into the small heat shock proteins (sHsps) complexes with their substrates are sparse. Here, cryo-EM structure of a plastid sHsp, Hsp21, in complex with a bona fide substrate 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS), suggests the anti-aggregation mechanism employed by sHsps.
- Chuanyang Yu
- , Stephen King Pong Leung
- & Wilson Chun Yu Lau
-
Article
| Open AccessEpidermal chloroplasts are defense-related motile organelles equipped with plant immune components
Leaf epidermal cells contain small chloroplasts which likely contribute little to photosynthesis and whose function is unclear. Here the authors show that these chloroplasts move toward the leaf surface in response to invasion trials by non-adapted fungal pathogens and contribute to non-host resistance.
- Hiroki Irieda
- & Yoshitaka Takano
-
Article
| Open AccessThe membrane-localized protein kinase MAP4K4/TOT3 regulates thermomorphogenesis
Plants respond to warmth via growth processes termed thermomorphogenesis. Here, via a phosphoproteomics approach, the authors show that the mitogen activated protein kinase TOT3 regulates thermomorphogenesis in both wheat and Arabidopsis and modifies brassinosteroid signaling in Arabidopsis.
- Lam Dai Vu
- , Xiangyu Xu
- & Ive De Smet
-
Article
| Open AccessS-acylation of P2K1 mediates extracellular ATP-induced immune signaling in Arabidopsis
S-acylation is a reversible protein post-translational modification that often regulates protein function at the plasma membrane. Here the authors show that an Arabidopsis extracellular ATP receptor P2K1 mediates phosphorylation of two S-acyltransferases which in turn mediate S-acylation of P2K1 and dampen ATP responses.
- Dongqin Chen
- , Fengsheng Hao
- & Gary Stacey
-
Article
| Open AccessInitiation and amplification of SnRK2 activation in abscisic acid signaling
SnRK2 kinase activity is rapidly activated in response to ABA. Here the authors show that initial activation of SnRK2s is achieved by B2 and B3 RAF kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the activation loop and that transphosphorylation between SnRK2s then amplifies the response.
- Zhen Lin
- , Yuan Li
- & Pengcheng Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessNon-structural carbohydrates mediate seasonal water stress across Amazon forests
The role of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in mediating the impacts of drought in tropical trees is unclear. Here, the authors analyse leaf and branch NSC in 82 Amazon tree species across a Basin-wide precipitation gradient, finding that allocation of leaf NSC to soluble sugars is higher in drier sites and is coupled to tree hydraulic status.
- Caroline Signori-Müller
- , Rafael S. Oliveira
- & David Galbraith
-
Article
| Open AccessThe E3 ligase MREL57 modulates microtubule stability and stomatal closure in response to ABA
During stomatal opening and closing, the guard cell microtubule cytoskeleton is reorganised. Here the authors show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase MREL57 targets the microtubule stabilizing protein WDL7 to promote microtubule disassembly during ABA-induced stomatal closure.
- Liru Dou
- , Kaikai He
- & Tonglin Mao
-
Article
| Open AccessA molecular switch in sulfur metabolism to reduce arsenic and enrich selenium in rice grain
Contamination of paddy soils can lead to toxic arsenic accumulation in rice grains and low levels of the micronutrient selenium. Here the authors show that a gain of function mutant affecting an O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase enhances sulfur and selenium assimilation while reducing arsenic accumulation in grains.
- Sheng-Kai Sun
- , Xuejie Xu
- & Fang-Jie Zhao
-
Article
| Open AccessA membrane-bound ankyrin repeat protein confers race-specific leaf rust disease resistance in wheat
Winter wheat cultivar Forno harbors a race-specific leaf rust resistance locus Lr14a, but the causative gene is unknown. Here, the authors show that Lr14a encodes a membrane-localized protein containing ankyrin repeats and Lr14a-containing segments have been introgressed into the bread wheat gene pool multiple times.
- Markus C. Kolodziej
- , Jyoti Singla
- & Beat Keller
-
Review Article
| Open AccessRole of Raf-like kinases in SnRK2 activation and osmotic stress response in plants
A better understanding of how plants respond to osmotic stress could potentially help improve crop yields. Here Fàbregas et al. review the recent characterization of Raf-like kinases that act in both in ABA-dependent and -independent responses to osmotic stress.
- Norma Fàbregas
- , Takuya Yoshida
- & Alisdair R. Fernie
-
Article
| Open AccessPlant hairy roots enable high throughput identification of antimicrobials against Candidatus Liberibacter spp.
The putative causal agent of citrus greening Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) cannot be cultured, which hampers finding new therapies to control this devastating disease. Here, the authors show that hairy roots support CLas propagation and enable high throughput antimicrobial screening.
- Sonia Irigoyen
- , Manikandan Ramasamy
- & Kranthi K. Mandadi
-
Article
| Open AccessNatural variations of SLG1 confer high-temperature tolerance in indica rice
Understanding the mechanism of high-temperature tolerance will help to breed crops adaptive to warming climate. Here, the authors show SLG1, a cytosolic tRNA 2-thiolation protein 2 encoding gene, is differentiated between the two Asian cultivated rice subspecies and confers high temperature tolerance of indica rice.
- Yufang Xu
- , Li Zhang
- & Shanguo Yao
-
Article
| Open AccessNatural antisense transcripts of MIR398 genes suppress microR398 processing and attenuate plant thermotolerance
MiRNAs and natural antisense transcripts can both regulate gene expression and plant development. Here, the authors show that cis-NATs to MIR398 repress processing of pri-miR398 and that cis-NAT expression is downregulated at high temperatures, contributing to miR398 mediated thermotolerance responses.
- Yajie Li
- , Xiaorong Li
- & Yuke He
-
Article
| Open AccessThe tomato receptor CuRe1 senses a cell wall protein to identify Cuscuta as a pathogen
Parasitic plants such as Cuscuta penetrate the shoots of susceptible hosts to obtain sugars, solutes and water. Here the authors show that resistant varieties of tomato can trigger an immune response against Cuscuta by perceiving a small glycine rich protein produced by the parasite.
- Volker Hegenauer
- , Peter Slaby
- & Markus Albert
-
Article
| Open AccessAn immune receptor complex evolved in soybean to perceive a polymorphic bacterial flagellin
Ralstonia solanacearum evades plant immunity by producing an atypical flagellin protein, thus causing bacterial wilt disease. Here, Wei et al. show that soybean has evolved a divergent flagellin receptor that recognises R. solanacearum flagellin and enhances wilt resistance when transferred to other plants.
- Yali Wei
- , Alexandra Balaceanu
- & Alberto P. Macho
-
Article
| Open AccessSYNERGISTIC ON AUXIN AND CYTOKININ 1 positively regulates growth and attenuates soil pathogen resistance
Cytokinin and auxin are two major hormonal regulators of plant growth. Here the authors identify SYAC1, a gene that is synergistically activated by the two hormones being applied together, and show that it is required for normal growth while negatively impacting pathogen resistance.
- Andrej Hurný
- , Candela Cuesta
- & Eva Benková
-
Article
| Open AccessHeat stress-induced transposon activation correlates with 3D chromatin organization rearrangement in Arabidopsis
Heat stress can activate heterochromatin-associated transposon elements (TEs). Here, the authors show that heat stress leads to global rearrangement of 3D genome and TEs activation closely correlates with 3D chromatin organization rearrangement in Arabidopsis.
- Linhua Sun
- , Yuqing Jing
- & Weiqiang Qian
-
Article
| Open AccessPlant Raf-like kinases regulate the mRNA population upstream of ABA-unresponsive SnRK2 kinases under drought stress
SnRK2 protein kinases play key roles in signaling during plant responses to abiotic stress. Here Soma et al. report three Arabidopsis Raf-like MAP kinase kinase kinases phosphorylate and activate a subclass of SnRK2s that rapidly respond to osmotic stress independently of ABA signaling.
- Fumiyuki Soma
- , Fuminori Takahashi
- & Kazuko Yamaguchi-Shinozaki
-
Article
| Open AccessCryptochrome-mediated blue-light signalling modulates UVR8 photoreceptor activity and contributes to UV-B tolerance in Arabidopsis
The Arabidopsis UVR8 photoreceptor is a dimer that monomerizes in response to UV-B. Here the authors show that cryptochromes contribute to UV tolerance and facilitate UVR8 redimerization via induction of RUP proteins in response to blue light, modifying UV-B signalling in polychromatic light environments.
- Nicolas Tissot
- & Roman Ulm
-
Article
| Open AccessA RAF-SnRK2 kinase cascade mediates early osmotic stress signaling in higher plants
Rapid activation of SnRK2 kinases is central to plant responses to osmotic stress and abscisic acid. Here the authors show that a group of Raf-like kinases are very quickly activated by osmotic stress, and then phosphorylate and activate SnRK2s.
- Zhen Lin
- , Yuan Li
- & Pengcheng Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessA helitron-induced RabGDIα variant causes quantitative recessive resistance to maize rough dwarf disease
Maize rough dwarf disease threatens its production. Here, the authors show that a helitron transposon insertion in the Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha leads to recessive viral resistance by affecting its interaction with viral P7-1 protein and that all naturally occurring alleles come from a single mutation event after domestication.
- Qingcai Liu
- , Suining Deng
- & Mingliang Xu
-
Article
| Open AccessNatural variation of an EF-hand Ca2+-binding-protein coding gene confers saline-alkaline tolerance in maize
Saline-alkaline stress affects worldwide crops production, but the tolerance mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors show that EF-hand Ca2 + -binding-protein coding gene ZmNSA1 can regulate root H + efflux, Na + homeostasis, and saline-alkaline tolerance in maize.
- Yibo Cao
- , Ming Zhang
- & Caifu Jiang
-
Article
| Open AccessMAP3Kinase-dependent SnRK2-kinase activation is required for abscisic acid signal transduction and rapid osmotic stress response
SnRK2 kinases activate abiotic stress responses in plants following ABA-dependent phosphatase inhibition or ABA-independent osmotic stress signalling. Here Takahashi et al. show that MAPKK-kinases phosphorylate and activate SnRK2s thus enabling robust ABA and osmotic stress signal transduction.
- Yohei Takahashi
- , Jingbo Zhang
- & Julian I. Schroeder
-
Article
| Open AccessSoybean antiviral immunity conferred by dsRNase targets the viral replication complex
Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a potyvirus that reduces soybean yield and seed quality worldwide. Here, the authors reveal that the resistance gene Rsv4 encodes an RNase H family protein with dsRNA-degrading activity, and it can enter the viral replication compartment and degrade viral dsRNA.
- Kazuhiro Ishibashi
- , Masayasu Saruta
- & Akito Kaga
-
Article
| Open AccessAuxin-sensitive Aux/IAA proteins mediate drought tolerance in Arabidopsis by regulating glucosinolate levels
Brassicaceae produce glucosinolates to protect against herbivory and pathogens. Here the authors show that auxin-sensitive Aux/IAA repressor proteins regulate aliphatic glucosinolate levels in Arabidopsis and this promotes stomatal closure via reactive oxygen species during drought stress.
- Mohammad Salehin
- , Baohua Li
- & Mark Estelle
-
Article
| Open AccessAn ancestral NB-LRR with duplicated 3′UTRs confers stripe rust resistance in wheat and barley
Stripe rust is a serious threat to wheat production. Here, the authors reveal that the resistance gene, only present in the wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii and its derived synthetic wheat, encodes a nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor and confers resistance in common wheat and barley.
- Chaozhong Zhang
- , Lin Huang
- & Daolin Fu
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessThe repressive role of Arabidopsis H2A.Z in transcriptional regulation depends on AtBMI1 activity
Arabidopsis H2A.Z plays an important role in regulating gene expression in response to stressors; however, the underlying mechanism is still puzzling. Here, the authors show that monoubiquitination of H2A.Z by AtBMI1 is required for H2A.Z-mediated transcriptional repression.
- Ángeles Gómez-Zambrano
- , Wiam Merini
- & Myriam Calonje
-
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
-
Article
| Open AccessVariation of a major facilitator superfamily gene contributes to differential cadmium accumulation between rice subspecies
Grain of indica rice accumulates more toxic cadmium (Cd) than japonica, but the underlying genetic basis is unclear. Here, the authors show that natural variation of OsCd1 contributes to divergence in grain Cd accumulation and transferring japonica allele to indica rice leads to reduced Cd accumulation.
- Huili Yan
- , Wenxiu Xu
- & Zhenyan He
-
Article
| Open AccessNatural variation of BSK3 tunes brassinosteroid signaling to regulate root foraging under low nitrogen
Plant roots elongate under mild nitrogen deficiency as part of a foraging response that facilitates nutrient uptake. Here the authors show that natural variation in this response among Arabidopsis accessions depends on the brassinosteroid (BR) signaling kinase BSK3, which can enhance BR sensitivity and root growth.
- Zhongtao Jia
- , Ricardo F. H. Giehl
- & Nicolaus von Wirén
-
Article
| Open AccessThe AvrPm3-Pm3 effector-NLR interactions control both race-specific resistance and host-specificity of cereal mildews on wheat
The wheat Pm3 immune receptors confer resistance against powdery mildew by recognizing isolate-specific avirulence (AVR) effectors of the pathogen. Here, the authors identify and characterize two new AVR genes and demonstrate that Pm3 receptors are determinants of host-specificity for grass mildews.
- Salim Bourras
- , Lukas Kunz
- & Beat Keller
-
Article
| Open AccessMYB96 recruits the HDA15 protein to suppress negative regulators of ABA signaling in Arabidopsis
MYB96 can regulate both positive and negative regulators of ABA signaling to maximize plant drought tolerance. Here, the authors show that MYB96 represses expression of ABA negative regulators in Arabidopsis by interacting with HDA15 and promoting histone deacetylation at the cognate regions.
- Hong Gil Lee
- & Pil Joon Seo
-
Article
| Open AccessNetwork Walking charts transcriptional dynamics of nitrogen signaling by integrating validated and predicted genome-wide interactions
Temporal control of transcriptional networks enables organisms to adapt to changing environment. Here, the authors use a scaled-up cell-based assay to identify direct targets of nitrogen-early responsive transcription factors and validate a network path mediating dynamic nitrogen signaling in Arabidopsis.
- Matthew D. Brooks
- , Jacopo Cirrone
- & Gloria M. Coruzzi
-
Article
| Open AccessCalcium-activated 14-3-3 proteins as a molecular switch in salt stress tolerance
Salinity triggers an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in plants. Here, the authors propose a model whereby 14-3-3 proteins decode this calcium signature and regulate Na+ extrusion via Ca2+-dependent regulation of PKS5 and SOS2 kinases that in turn regulate the Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1 and PM H+-ATPase
- Zhijia Yang
- , Chongwu Wang
- & Yan Guo
-
Article
| Open AccessThe companion of cellulose synthase 1 confers salt tolerance through a Tau-like mechanism in plants
The Arabidopsis CC1 protein maintains microtubule array stability and cellulose synthesis during salt stress. Here the authors show that CC1 engages microtubules via an intrinsically disordered N-terminus that suggests it controls microtubule dynamics in a similar way to the mammalian Tau protein.
- Christopher Kesten
- , Arndt Wallmann
- & Staffan Persson
-
Article
| Open AccessThe genome of broomcorn millet
Broomcorn millet is one of the earliest domesticated plants and has the highest water use efficiency among cereals. Here, the authors report its genome assembly and annotation, which provides a valuable resource for breeders and paves the way for studying plant drought tolerance and C4 photosynthesis.
- Changsong Zou
- , Leiting Li
- & Heng Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessChromosome conformation capture resolved near complete genome assembly of broomcorn millet
Broomcorn millet is one of the oldest crops cultivated by human that has strong abiotic stress tolerance. To facilitate genome assisted breeding of this and related species, the authors report its genome assembly and conduct comparative genome structure and evolution analyses with foxtail millet.
- Junpeng Shi
- , Xuxu Ma
- & Jinsheng Lai
-
Article
| Open AccessDaytime temperature is sensed by phytochrome B in Arabidopsis through a transcriptional activator HEMERA
The phyB photoreceptor senses nighttime temperature in Arabidopsis plants cultivated in short-day photoperiods. Here the authors show that phyB can also promote thermomorphogenesis during constant light or the daytime, and acts via a HEMERA-dependent mechanism that promotes the activity and accumulation of PIF4.
- Yongjian Qiu
- , Meina Li
- & Meng Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessProteasomal degradation of BRAHMA promotes Boron tolerance in Arabidopsis
Boron is essential for plant survival but high levels can impair growth and cause DNA damage. Here the authors show that Arabidopsis can ameliorate Boron toxicity via proteasomal degradation of BRAHMA to minimize open chromatin and reduce the likelihood of DNA double strand breaks.
- Takuya Sakamoto
- , Yayoi Tsujimoto-Inui
- & Toru Fujiwara
-
Article
| Open AccessNorthern forest tree populations are physiologically maladapted to drought
Northern tree populations may not benefit under climate change, with implications for assisted migration and range expansion. Here, Isaac-Renton et al. show that leading-edge lodgepole pine populations have fewer characteristics of drought-tolerance, so may not adapt to tolerate drier conditions.
- Miriam Isaac-Renton
- , David Montwé
- & Kerstin Treydte
-
Article
| Open AccessThe genomic landscape of molecular responses to natural drought stress in Panicum hallii
Drought is a major factor limiting crop productivity. Here, via eQTL analysis and comparative genomics, the authors show compensatory evolution between trans-regulatory loci and transcription factor binding sites that shape the drought response networks in the model C4 grass Panicum hallii.
- John T. Lovell
- , Jerry Jenkins
- & Thomas E. Juenger
-
Article
| Open AccessStructure of the hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channel OSCA1.2
In plants, hyperosmolality stimuli triggers opening of the osmosensitive channels, leading to a rapid downstream signaling cascade. Here, the authors solve the cryo-EM structure of an osmosensitive channel from Arabidopsis OSCA1.2 in its inactivated state.
- Xin Liu
- , Jiawei Wang
- & Linfeng Sun
-
Article
| Open AccessOverexpression of the vascular brassinosteroid receptor BRL3 confers drought resistance without penalizing plant growth
Drought resistant plants typically have reduced growth. Here the authors show that overexpression of the BRL3 brassinosteroid receptor confers drought tolerance and accumulation of osmoprotectant metabolites without penalizing growth, demonstrating that drought response and growth can be uncoupled.
- Norma Fàbregas
- , Fidel Lozano-Elena
- & Ana I. Caño-Delgado