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| Open AccessActomyosin and CSI1/POM2 cooperate to deliver cellulose synthase from Golgi to cortical microtubules in Arabidopsis
Cellulose is synthesized by cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs), which are trafficked and delivered from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane. Here Liu et al. reveal a non-canonical route for CSCs exiting from the Golgi.
- Lu Liu
- , Ting Wang
- & Yi Zhang
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| Open AccessConfined-microtubule assembly shapes three-dimensional cell wall structures in xylem vessels
In plant metaxylem, three-dimensional cell wall arches are formed over pit membranes. Here, the authors show that the microtubule-associated proteins, MAP70-5 and MAP70-1, confine microtubules within the pit aperture and direct growth of pit arches in the proper orientation.
- Takema Sasaki
- , Kei Saito
- & Yoshihisa Oda
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| Open AccessA maize epimerase modulates cell wall synthesis and glycosylation during stomatal morphogenesis
Dynamic cell walls enable stomata rapidly responding to the environment. Here the authors report that a maize epimerase is involved in cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis and glycosylation modulation during stomatal morphogenesis.
- Yusen Zhou
- , Tian Zhang
- & Chun-Peng Song
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| Open AccessCarbohydrate-aromatic interface and molecular architecture of lignocellulose
The plant biomass is a composite formed by a variety of polysaccharides and an aromatic polymer named lignin. Here, the authors use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to unveil the carbohydrate-aromatic interface that leads to the variable architecture of lignocellulose biomaterials.
- Alex Kirui
- , Wancheng Zhao
- & Tuo Wang
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| Open AccessPersistent directional growth capability in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tubes after nuclear elimination from the apex
Arabidopsis pollen contains a vegetative nucleus and two sperm cells that move to the apical region during pollen tube growth. Here, Motomura et al. make use of transgenic pollen with immobilized nuclei and show that, contrary to previous assumptions, movement of the vegetative nucleus is not needed for pollen tube guidance.
- Kazuki Motomura
- , Hidenori Takeuchi
- & Daisuke Maruyama
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| Open AccessTwo chemically distinct root lignin barriers control solute and water balance
Defects in the Casparian strip, a fine band of lignin that seals root endodermal cells and plays roles in nutrient homeostasis, activate a signaling pathway leading to over-lignification. Here, the authors show that this process leads to the deposition of compensatory lignin that is chemically distinct from Casparian strip lignin.
- Guilhem Reyt
- , Priya Ramakrishna
- & David E. Salt
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Article
| Open AccessMYB61 is regulated by GRF4 and promotes nitrogen utilization and biomass production in rice
The molecular connection between nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) and biomass production is unclear. Here, the authors show that differences in NUE and cellulose biogenesis between rice indica and japonica subspecies can be explained by variation at the MYB61 locus, which is regulated by the NUE regulator GRF4.
- Yihong Gao
- , Zuopeng Xu
- & Yihua Zhou
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| Open AccessTailoring poplar lignin without yield penalty by combining a null and haploinsufficient CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE2 allele
Plants with reduced amounts of lignin typically suffer from dwarfed growth, which offsets their gain in fermentable sugar yield. Here, the authors show that genome-edited poplar lines with a null and a haploinsufficient allele of CINNAMOYL-COA REDUCTASE2 (CCR2) can be obtained that have a reduced lignin level and normal growth.
- Barbara De Meester
- , Barbara Madariaga Calderón
- & Wout Boerjan
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| Open AccessPreferred crystallographic orientation of cellulose in plant primary cell walls
Cellulose is synthesized as microfibrils of β-1,4-linked glucan chains arranged in a crystalline lattice. Here Ye et al. use grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering to show that cellulose crystals are preferentially orientated parallel to the plant cell wall, rather than as twisting microfibrils as previously hypothesized.
- Dan Ye
- , Sintu Rongpipi
- & Enrique D. Gomez
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| 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
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| 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 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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| 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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| 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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| 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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| 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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| 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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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
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| Open AccessThe Arabidopsis alkaline ceramidase TOD1 is a key turgor pressure regulator in plant cells
Turgor pressure is critical for the growth of plant cells but the mechanisms regulating turgor are poorly understood. Here, Chen et al. identify TOD1, an alkaline ceramidase, involved in sphingosine metabolism that regulates turgor during pollen tube growth and stomatal closure.
- Li-Yu Chen
- , Dong-Qiao Shi
- & Wei-Cai Yang
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Origami-like unfolding of hydro-actuated ice plant seed capsules
Hydro-responsive plant movements have provided inspiration for the design of adaptive materials. Harringtonet al. investigate the hydration-dependent unfolding of ice plant seed capsules and find an origami-like folding pattern, which could aid the development of biomimetic folding structures.
- Matthew J. Harrington
- , Khashayar Razghandi
- & Ingo Burgert