Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.13.249367v1?rss=1 Authors: Kozuleva, M., Petrova, A., Milrad, Y., Semenov, A., Ivanov, B., Redding, K. E., Yacoby, I. Abstract: Photosynthesis is a vital process, responsible for fixing carbon dioxide, and producing most of the organic matter on the planet. However, photosynthesis has some inherent limitations in utilizing solar energy. Up to a third of the energy absorbed is lost in the reduction of O2 to produce the...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.13.249318v1?rss=1 Authors: Belton, S. P., McCabe, P. F., Ng, C. K. Abstract: Cyanobacteria such as Nostoc spp. can form nitrogen-fixing symbioses with a broad range of plant species. Unlike other plant-bacteria symbioses, little is understood about the immunological and developmental signalling events induced by Nostoc cyanobionts (symbiotic cyanobacteria). Here, we used suspension cell cultures to elucidate the early...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.13.246413v1?rss=1 Authors: Martin, R., Qi, T., Zhang, H., Liu, F., King, M., Toth, C., Nogales, E., Staskawicz, B. J. Abstract: Plants and animals detect pathogen infection via intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) that directly or indirectly recognize pathogen effectors and activate an immune response. How effector sensing triggers NLR activation remains poorly understood. Here we describe...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.12.248138v1?rss=1 Authors: Marzec, M., Situmorang, A., Brewer, P., Braszewska-Zalewska, A. Abstract: Cytochrome P450 enzymes encoded by MORE AXILLARY GROWTH1 (MAX1)-like genes produce most of the structural diversity of strigolactones during the final steps of strigolactone biosynthesis. The diverse copies of MAX1 in Oryza sativa provide a resource to investigate why plants produce such a wide range of strigolactones....

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.12.247924v1?rss=1 Authors: Fabricant, A., Iwata, G. Z., Scherzer, S., Bougas, L., Rolfs, K., Jodko-Władzinska, A., Voigt, J., Hedrich, R., Budker, D. Abstract: Upon stimulation, plants elicit electrical signals that can travel within a cellular network analogous to the animal nervous system. It is well-known that in the human brain, voltage changes in certain regions result from concerted electrical activity which, in the...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.245092v1?rss=1 Authors: Barros, J. A., Magen, S., Lapidot-Cohen, T., Rosental, L., Brotman, Y., Araujo, W. L., Avin-Wittenberg, T. Abstract: Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that mediates the degradation of cytoplasmic components in eukaryotic cells. In plants, autophagy has been extensively associated with the recycling of proteins during carbon starvation conditions. Even tough lipids constitute a...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.12.247601v1?rss=1 Authors: Florez, L. M., Scheper, R., Fisher, B., Sutherland, P., Templeton, M., Bowen, J. K. Abstract: European canker, caused by the necrotrophic fungal phytopathogen Neonectria ditissima, is one of the most damaging apple diseases worldwide. An understanding of the molecular basis of N. ditissima virulence is currently lacking. Identification of genes with an up-regulation of expression during...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.11.246033v1?rss=1 Authors: Zhang, Y.-b., Yang, S.-l., Deng, J., Li, R.-d., Fan, X., Dao, J.-m., Quan, Y.-j., Hussain Bukhari, S. A., Zeng, Z.-h. Abstract: Ratooning is an important cultivation practice in sugarcane production around the world, with underground buds on the remaining stalk acting as the source for establishment of a subsequent ratoon crop. However, the optimal depth of cutting during harvest in terms of...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.11.245720v1?rss=1 Authors: Sharma, M., Sharma, M., Jamsheer K, M., Laxmi, A. Abstract: The role of jasmonates (JAs) in root growth and development and plants response to external stimuli is already known. However, its role in lateral root (LR) development remains perplexing. Our work identifies methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as a crucial phytohormone in determining the branching angle of Arabidopsis LRs. MeJA inclines the LRs to...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.11.243204v1?rss=1 Authors: Kumar Gupta, T., Klumpe, S., Gries, K., Heinz, S., Wietrzynski, W., Ohnishi, N., Niemeyer, J., Schaffer, M., Rast, A., Strauss, M., Plitzko, J. M., Baumeister, W., Rudack, T., Sakamoto, W., Nickelsen, J., Schuller, J. M., Schroda, M., Engel, B. D. Abstract: Vesicle-inducing protein in plastids (VIPP1) is essential for the biogenesis and maintenance of thylakoid membranes, which transform light...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.244889v1?rss=1 Authors: Alexander, R. D., Castillejo-Pons, P., Alsaif, O., Stahl, Y., Seale, M., Morris, P. C. Abstract: During germination, seeds undergo a dramatic transformation in their water content, which increases from around 10% to 90% within 24 hours. Control of water uptake to the embryo is key to the germination process; failure to imbibe sufficiently can result in seed dormancy. This is strongly affected by...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.243014v1?rss=1 Authors: Escudero, V., Castro-Leon, A., Ferreira Sanchez, D., Abreu, I., Bernal, M., Kramer, U., Grolimund, D., Gonzalez-Guerrero, M., Jorda, L. Abstract: - Zinc is an essential nutrient at low concentrations, but toxic at slightly higher ones. This could be used by plants to fight pathogens colonization. - Elemental distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves inoculated with the necrotrophic fungus...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.244665v1?rss=1 Authors: Nachappa, P., Challacombe, J. F., Margolies, D. C., Nechols, J. R., Whitfield, A. E., Rotenberg, D. Abstract: Several plant viruses modulate vector fitness and behavior in ways that may enhance virus transmission. Previous studies have documented indirect, plant-mediated effects of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infection on the fecundity, growth and survival of its principal thrips vector,...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.244608v1?rss=1 Authors: Krishnamurthy, P., Vishal, B., Ho, W. J., Lok, F. C. J., Lee, F. S. M., Kumar, P. P. Abstract: Salinity is an environmental stress that causes decline in crop yield. Avicennia officinalis and other mangroves have adaptations such as ultrafiltration at the roots aided by apoplastic cell-wall barriers to thrive in saline conditions. We studied a Cytochrome P450 gene, AoCYP94B1 from A. officinalis...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.244384v1?rss=1 Authors: Meier, M. A., Lopez-Guerrero, M. G., Guo, M., Schmer, M. R., Herr, J. R., Schnable, J. C., Alfano, J. R., Yang, J. Abstract: Root associated microbes are key players in plant health, disease resistance, and nitrogen (N) use efficiency. It remains largely unclear how the interplay of biological and environmental factors affects rhizobiome dynamics in agricultural systems. Here, we quantified the...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.243808v1?rss=1 Authors: Buscaill, P., Sanguankiattichai, N., Lee, Y. J., Kourelis, J., Preston, G. M., van der Hoorn, R. A. L. Abstract: The lengthy process to generate transformed plants is a limitation in current research on the interactions of the model plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae with plant hosts. Here we present an easy method called agromonas, where we quantify P. syringae growth in agroinfiltrated leaves...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.09.243352v1?rss=1 Authors: Salter, W. T., Li, S., Dracatos, P. M., Barbour, M. M. Abstract: Enhancing the photosynthetic induction response to fluctuating light has been suggested as a key target for improvement in crop breeding programs, with the potential to substantially increase whole canopy carbon assimilation and contribute to crop yield potential. Rubisco activation may be the main physiological process that will...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.07.240580v1?rss=1 Authors: Parvathaneni, R. K., Kumar, I., Braud, M., Eveland, A. L. Abstract: The effects of drought stress can be devastating to crop production worldwide. A grand challenge facing agriculture is the development of crop varieties with improved drought resilience through breeding or biotechnology. To accelerate this, a mechanistic understanding is needed of the regulatory networks underlying drought...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.245050v1?rss=1 Authors: Okuda, S., Hothorn, L. A., Hothorn, M. Abstract: Plant-unique receptor kinases harbor conserved cytoplasmic kinase domains and sequence-diverse ectodomains. Here we report crystal structures of CRINKLY4-type ectodomains from Arabidopsis ACR4 and Physcomitrella patens PpCR4 at 1.95 [A] and 2.70 [A] resolution, respectively. Monomeric CRINKLY4 ectodomains harbor a N-terminal WD40 domain and a...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.10.244236v1?rss=1 Authors: Timalsina, D. Abstract: The process of drug discovery and development in the world over a recent year has been increasingly shaped by the formulaic approaches and natural products, prioritized by popular pharmaceutical industries. In many countries like Nepal, Randia dumetorum is one of the popular alternatives for overcoming various symptoms. It has been using by the people because of its wide...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.07.241737v1?rss=1 Authors: Alinsug, M. V., Deocaris, C. Abstract: Light is an essential environmental cue that determines the overall growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the light signaling network are obscured by the epigenetic machinery where reversible acetylation and deacetylation play crucial roles in modulating light-regulated gene expression. In this paper, we...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.05.237685v1?rss=1 Authors: Patel, D., Bardhan, K., Parekh, V., Patel, D. Abstract: The root is the primary sensing organ for potassium (K) and water availability and thus we test the hypothesis that K may influence root architecture and contribute to drought tolerance under moisture stress. Rice seedlings failed to maintained favourable root architecture with low K under water stress and more reduction was observed in...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.06.239301v1?rss=1 Authors: Garner, C. M., Spears, B. J., Su, J., Cseke, L., Smith, S. N., Rogan, C. J., Gassmann, W. Abstract: Regulation of the plant immune system is important for controlling the specificity and amplitude of responses to pathogens and in preventing growth-inhibiting autoimmunity that leads to reductions in plant fitness. In previous work, we reported that SRFR1, a negative regulator of...

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.06.239145v1?rss=1 Authors: Pidon, H., Wendler, N., Habekuss, A., Maasberg, A., Ruge-Wehling, B., Perovic, D., Ordon, F., Stein, N. Abstract: Barley yellow mosaic disease is caused by Barley yellow mosaic virus and Barley mild mosaic virus, and leads to severe yield losses in barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Central Europe and East-Asia. Several resistance loci are used in barley breeding. However, cases of resistance-breaking...