Plants produce numerous metabolites that are important for their development and growth. However, the genetic architecture of the wheat metabolome has not been well studied. Here, utilizing a high-density genetic map, we conducted a comprehensive metabolome study via widely targeted LC-MS/MS to analyse the wheat kernel metabolism. We further combined agronomic traits and dissected the genetic relationship

Computational models of plants have identified gaps in our understanding of biological systems, and have revealed ways to optimize cellular processes or organ-level architecture to increase productivity. Thus, computational models are learning tools that help direct experimentation and measurements. Models are simplifications of complex systems, and often simulate specific processes at single scales

The frequent occurrence of chalky rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains becomes a serious problem due to climate change. However, the molecular mechanism underlying chalkiness is largely unknown. In this study, the temperature‐sensitive floury endosperm11‐2 (flo11‐2) mutant was isolated from ion beam‐irradiated rice of 1,116 lines. The flo11‐2 mutant showed significantly higher chalkiness under mean temperature

Plant cell wall remodeling plays a key role in the control of cell elongation and differentiation. In particular, the fine‐tuning of the degree of methylesterification of pectins was previously reported to control developmental processes as diverse as pollen germination, pollen tube elongation, primordia emergence or dark‐grown hypocotyl elongation. How pectin degradation can modulate plant development

The morphology of rice (Oryza sativa L.) panicles is an important determinant in grain yield, and elucidation of the genetic control of panicle structure is paramount with the demand for high yield in breeding programmes. In a quantitative trait loci (QTL) study using 82 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from Koshihikari (KOS) and Habataki (HAB), 68 QTLs for 25 panicle morphological traits were

Phytohormonal interactions are crucial for plant development. Auxin and cytokinin both play critical roles in regulating plant growth and development; however, the interaction between these two phytohormones is complex and not fully understood. Here, we isolated a wild apple (Malus sieversii Roem) GRETCHEN HAGEN3 (GH3) gene, MsGH3.5, encoding an indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-amido synthetase. Overexpression

If two related plant species hybridise, their genomes may be combined and duplicated within a single nucleus, thereby forming an allotetraploid. How the emerging plant balances two co-evolved genomes is still a matter of ongoing research. Here, we focus on satellite DNA (satDNA), the fastest turn-over sequence class in eukaryotes, aiming to trace its emergence, amplification and loss during plant speciation

Cell expansion is a significant contributor to organ growth and is driven by the accumulation of osmolytes to increase cell turgor pressure. Metabolic modelling has the potential to provide insights into the processes that underpin osmolyte synthesis and transport, but the main computational approach for predicting metabolic network fluxes, flux balance analysis (FBA), often uses biomass composition

Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) are small, non-autonomous, and heterogeneous retrotransposons widespread in plants. To explore the amplification dynamics and evolutionary history of SINE populations in representative deciduous tree species, we analyzed the genomes of the six following Salicaceae species: Populus deltoides, Populus euphratica, Populus tremula, Populus tremuloides, Populus

Functional analyses of various strigolactone-deficient mutants have demonstrated that strigolactones enhance drought resistance; however, the mechanistic involvement of the strigolactone receptor DWARF14 (D14) in this trait remains elusive. In this study, loss-of-function analysis of the D14 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that d14 mutant plants were more drought-susceptible than wild-type, which

Plants being sessile integrate information from a variety of endogenous and external cues simultaneously to optimize growth and development. This necessitates the signaling networks in plants to be highly dynamic and flexible. One such network involves heterotrimeric G-proteins comprised of Gα, Gβ and Gγ subunits, which influences many aspects of growth, development and stress response pathways. In

Abiotic stress in plants causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the need for new protein synthesis to defend against ROS and to replace existing proteins that are damaged by oxidation. Functional plant ribosomes are critical for these activities, however we know little about the impact of oxidative stress on plant ribosome abundance, turnover and function. Using Arabidopsis

Plant cells contain numerous sub-compartments with clearly delineated metabolic functions. Mitochondria represent a very small fraction of the total cell volume and yet are the site of respiration and thus crucial for cells throughout all developmental stages of a plant's life. As such, their isolation from the rest of the cellular components is a basic requirement for numerous biochemical and physiological

Iron (Fe) is an essential plant nutrient and its deficiency typically limits plant growth. Long non-coding (lnc)-RNAs are involved in adaptive responses to nutrient stresses; however, it is not known whether they function in the regulation of the canonical Fe deficiency response. The expression of apple (Malus domestica) lncRNA, MSTRG.85814 is induced by Fe deficiency, as identified by high-throughput

Functional divergence after gene duplication plays a central role in plant evolution. Among cereals, only Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Secale cereale (rye) accumulate delphinidin‐derived (blue) anthocyanins in the aleurone layer of grains, whereas Oryza sativa (rice), Zea mays (maize) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) do not. The underlying genetic basis for this natural occurence

Cassava is an important staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, due to its high productivity even on nutrient poor soils. The metabolic characteristics underlying this high productivity are poorly understood including the mode of photosynthesis, reasons for the high rate of photosynthesis, the extent of source/sink limitation, the impact of environment, and the extent of variation between cultivars. Six

Genetic selection for whole-plant water use efficiency (yield per transpiration; WUEplant ) in any crop-breeding programme requires high-throughput phenotyping of component traits of WUEplant such as intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi ; CO2 assimilation rate per stomatal conductance). Measuring WUEi by gas exchange measurements is laborious and time consuming and may not reflect an integrated WUEi

The model legume Medicago truncatula possesses a single outward Shaker K+ channel, whereas Arabidopsis thaliana possesses two channels of this type, named AtSKOR and AtGORK, with AtSKOR having been shown to play a major role in K+ secretion into the xylem sap in the root vasculature and with AtGORK being shown to mediate the efflux of K+ across the guard cell membrane, leading to stomatal closure.

Hybridizations between closely related species commonly occur in the domestication process of many crops. Banana cultivars are derived from such hybridizations between species and subspecies of the Musa genus that have diverged in various tropical Southeast Asian regions and archipelagos. Among the diploid and triploid hybrids generated, those with seedless parthenocarpic fruits were selected by humans

Many conflicting hypotheses regarding the relationships among crops and wild species closely related to wheat (the genera Aegilops, Amblyopyrum, and Triticum) have been postulated. The contribution of hybridization to the evolution of these taxa is intensely discussed. To determine possible causes for this, and provide a phylogeny of the diploid taxa based on genome-wide sequence information, independent

Phytohormone brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential for plant growth and development, but the mechanisms of BR-mediated pollen development remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that pollen viability, pollen germination and seed number decreased in the BR-deficient mutant d^im , which has a lesion in the BR biosynthetic gene DWARF (DWF), and in the bzr1 mutant, which is deficient in BR signaling

Root endodermis, the innermost cortical layer surrounding the root vasculature, serves as the foremost barrier to water, solutes, and nutrients taken up from soil. Endodermis barrier functionality is achieved via its hydrophobic coating of lignified Casparian strips and the suberin lamellae; nonetheless the regulatory mechanisms underlying endodermis suberization are still elusive. Here, we discovered

Ficus erecta, a wild relative of the common fig (F. carica), is a donor of Ceratocystis canker resistance in fig breeding programmes. Interspecific hybridization followed by recurrent backcrossing is an effective method to transfer the resistance trait from wild to cultivated fig. However, this process is time consuming and labour intensive for trees, especially for gynodioecious plants such as fig

Increasing global temperatures and a growing world population create the need to develop crop varieties that provide higher yields in warmer climates. There is growing interest in expanding quinoa cultivation, because of the ability of quinoa to produce nutritious grain in poor soils, with little water and at high salinity. The main limitation to expanding quinoa cultivation, however, is the susceptibility

The FRIGIDA locus (FRI, AT4G00650) has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana because of its role creating flowering time diversity. The FRI protein regulates flowering induction by binding partner proteins on its N-terminus and C-terminus domains and creating a supercomplex that promotes transcription of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Despite the knowledge accumulated on FRIGIDA

Microalgal oils in the form of triacylglycerols (TAGs) are broadly used as nutritional supplements and biofuels. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step of acyl-CoA-dependent biosynthesis of TAG, and is considered a key target for manipulating oil production. Although a growing number of DGAT1s have been identified and over-expressed in some algal species, the detailed structure-function

Singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) is a by-product of photosynthesis that triggers a signalling pathway leading to stress acclimation or to cell death. By analyzing gene expressions in a 1 O2 -overproducing Arabidopsis mutant (ch1) under different light regimes, we show here that the 1 O2 signalling pathway involves the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR). ch1 plants in low light

The type three effector AvrRpm1Pma from Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola (Pma) triggers an RPM1-mediated immune response linked to phosphorylation of RIN4 (RPM1-interacting protein 4) in Arabidopsis. However, the effector-resistance (R) gene interaction is not well established with different AvrRpm1 effectors from other pathovars. We investigated the AvrRpm1-triggered immune responses in Nicotiana

Perturbation of lignin biosynthesis often results in severe growth and developmental defects in plants, which imposes practical limitations to genetic enhancement of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production. Currently, little information is known about the cellular and genetic mechanisms of this important phenomenon. Here we show that defects in both cell division and cell expansion underlie

Taxus stem barks can be used for extraction of paclitaxel. However, the composition of taxoids across the whole stem and the stem tissue-specificity of paclitaxel biosynthesis-related enzymes remain largely unknown. We used cultivated Taxus media trees for analyses of the chemical composition and protein of major stem tissues by an integrated metabolomic and proteomic approach, and the role of TmMYB3

Gene-editing techniques are currently revolutionizing biology, allowing far greater precision than previous mutagenic and transgenic approaches. They are becoming applicable to a wide range of plant species and biological processes. Gene editing can rapidly improve a range of crop traits, including disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, yield, nutritional quality and additional consumer traits

Many pathways of primary metabolism are substantially conserved within and across plant families. However, significant differences in organization and fluxes through a reaction network may occur, even between plants in closely related genera. Assessing and understanding these differences is key to appreciating metabolic diversity, and to attempts to engineer plant metabolism for higher crop yields

Salt stress reduces crop growth and productivity globally. Here we report that a R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB30 participates in salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. MYB30 can be SUMOylated by SIZ1 in response to salt stress and the lysine (K)283 of MYB30 is essential for its SUMOylation. In contrast to wild-type MYB30, the MYB30K283R mutant failed to rescue the salt-sensitive phenotype of the myb30-2

One of the main characteristics of plant cells is the presence of the cell wall located outside the plasma membrane. In particular cells, this wall can be reinforced by lignin, a polyphenolic polymer that plays a central role for vascular plants, conferring hydrophobicity to conducting tissues and mechanical support for upright growth. Lignin has been studied extensively by a range of different techniques

Plants survey their environment for the presence of potentially harmful or beneficial microbes. During colonization, cell surface receptors perceive microbe-derived or modified-self ligands and initiate appropriate responses. The recognition of fungal chitin oligomers and the subsequent activation of plant immunity are well described. In contrast, the mechanisms underlying β-glucan recognition and

Angiosperm reproductive development is a complex event that includes floral organ development, male and female gametophyte formation and interaction between the male and female reproductive organs for successful fertilization. Previous studies have revealed the redundant function of ATP binding cassette subfamily G (ABCG) transporters ABCG1 and ABCG16 in pollen development, but whether they are involved

β-Glucosidases (BG) are present in many plant tissues. Among these, abscisic acid (ABA) β-glucosidases are thought to take part in the adjustment of cellular ABA levels, however the role of ABA-BG in fruits is still unclear. In this study, through RNA-seq analysis of persimmon fruit, 10 full-length DkBG genes were isolated and were all found to be expressed. In particular, DkBG1 was highly expressed

Cell wall localized heterogeneous polyesters are widespread in land plants. The composition of these polyesters, such as cutin, suberin, or more plant-specific forms such as the flax seed coat lignan macromolecule, can be determined after total hydrolysis of the ester linkages. The main bottleneck in the structural characterization of these macromolecules, however, resides in the determination of the

Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are known to be major facilitators of the movement of a number of substrates across cell membranes. From a drought-resistant cultivar of Oryza sativa (rice), we isolated an OsPIP1;3 gene single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that is mostly expressed in rice roots and is strongly responsive to drought stress. Immunocytochemistry showed that OsPIP1;3 majorly accumulated

Plant cells have acquired chloroplasts (plastids) with a unique genome (ptDNA), which developed during the evolution of endosymbiosis. The gene content and genome structure of ptDNAs in land plants are considerably stable, although those of algal ptDNAs are highly varied. Plant cells seem, therefore, to be intolerant of any structural or organizational changes in the ptDNA. Genome rearrangement functions

Picloram is an auxinic herbicide that is widely used for controlling broad leaf weeds. However, its mechanism of transport into plants is poorly understood. In a genetic screen for picloram resistance, we identified three Arabidopsis mutant alleles of PIC30 (PICLORAM RESISTANT30) that are specifically resistant to picolinates, but not to other auxins. PIC30 is a previously uncharacterized gene that

Natural variation has become a prime resource to identify genetic variants that contribute to phenotypic variation. The regional mapping (RegMap) population is one of the most important populations for studying natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, and has been used in a large number of association studies and in studies on climatic adaptation. However, only 413 RegMap accessions have been completely

The above original article, first published online on 01 March 2002 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and in volume 29, pp. 555–567, has been retracted by agreement between the following authors: Patrice Dunoyer, Sébastien Pfeffer, Christiane Fritsch, Odile Hemmer, Olivier Voinnet and K. E. Richards, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Lee Sweetlove, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This notice

Free amino acids (FAAs) and protein-bound amino acids (PBAAs) in seeds play an important role in seed desiccation, longevity, and germination. However, the effect that water stress has on these two functional pools, especially when imposed during the crucial seed setting stage is unclear. To better understand these effects, we exposed Arabidopsis plants at the seed setting stage to a range of water

Chloroplast nucleoids are large, compact nucleoprotein structures containing multiple copies of the plastid genome. Studies on structural and quantitative changes of plastid DNA (ptDNA) during leaf development are scarce and have produced controversial data. We have systematically investigated nucleoid dynamics and ptDNA quantities in the mesophyll of Arabidopsis, tobacco, sugar beet, and maize from

Primary seed dormancy is a mechanism that orchestrates the timing of seed germination in order to prevent out-of-season germination. Secondary dormancy can be induced in imbibed seeds when they encounter prolonged unfavourable conditions. Secondary dormancy is not induced during dry storage, and therefore the mechanisms underlying this process have remained largely unexplored. Here, a 2-year seed burial

The BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) GAGA (C-box) binding proteins belong to a small plant transcription factor family. We previously reported that class I BPCs bind directly to C-boxes in the SEEDSTICK (STK) promoter and the mutagenesis of these cis-elements affects STK expression in the flower. The MADS-domain factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) is another key regulator of STK. Direct binding of SVP to

The salicinoids are anti-herbivore phenolic glycosides unique to the Salicaceae (Populus and Salix). They consist of a salicyl alcohol glucoside core, which is usually further acylated with benzoic, cinnamic or phenolic acids. While salicinoid structures are well known, their biosynthesis remains enigmatic. Recently, two enzymes from poplar, salicyl alcohol benzoyl transferase and benzyl alcohol benzoyl

The photorespiratory pathway, in short photorespiration, is a metabolic repair system that enables the CO2 fixation enzyme Rubisco to sustainably operate in the presence of oxygen, that is, during oxygenic photosynthesis of plants and cyanobacteria. Photorespiration is necessary because an auto-inhibitory metabolite, 2-phosphoglycolate (2PG), is produced when Rubisco binds oxygen instead of CO2 as

As a pre-requisite for constant growth, plants produce vascular tissues at different sites within their post-embryonic body. Interestingly, the formation of vascular tissues during longitudinal and radial expansion of shoot and root axes differs fundamentally with respect to its anatomical configuration. This raises the question to which level regulatory mechanisms of vascular tissue formation are

Thylakoid membrane lipids, comprised of glycolipids and the phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG), are essential for normal plant growth and development. Unlike other lipid classes, chloroplast PG in nearly all plants contains a substantial fraction of the unusual trans fatty acid 16:1Δ3trans or 16:1t. We determined that, in Arabidopsis thaliana, 16:1t biosynthesis requires both FATTY ACID DESATURASE4

Phycobilisomes are large light-harvesting complexes attached to the stromal side of thylakoids in cyanobacteria and red algae. They can be remodeled or degraded in response to changing light and nutritional status. Both the core and the peripheral rods of phycobilisomes contain biliproteins. During biliprotein biosynthesis, open-chain tetrapyrrole chromophores are attached covalently to the apoproteins