IN THIS ISSUE:

Chitin Signaling in Plants: Insights into the Perception of Fungal Pathogens and Rhizobacterial Symbionts

Nancy A. Eckardt

Plant Cell 2008 20: 241-243. First Published on February 19, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.108.058784

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IN BRIEFS:

A Sesquiterpene Distress Signal Transmitted by Maize

Kathleen L. Farquharson

Plant Cell 2008 20: 244. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.108.200210

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Identification of an Endoplasmic Reticulum ATP/ADP Transporter

Nancy A. Eckardt

Plant Cell 2008 20: 245. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.108.200211

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Tocopherols and ER Fatty Acid Metabolism

Nancy A. Eckardt

Plant Cell 2008 20: 246. First Published on February 26, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.108.200212

[Full Text] [PDF]

Retrotransposon Polymorphisms Affect Genic Recombination in Maize

Nancy A. Eckardt

Plant Cell 2008 20: 247. First Published on February 26, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.108.200213

[Full Text] [PDF]

RESEARCH ARTICLES:

Maize Genome Structure Variation: Interplay between Retrotransposon Polymorphisms and Genic Recombination

Hugo K. Dooner and Limei He

Plant Cell 2008 20: 249-258. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.057596

Maize exhibits remarkable intraspecific variation in genome structure, most of which is attributable to intergenic retrotransposon polymorphisms among unrelated lines. The authors show that these retrotransposons reduce recombination in adjacent genes, while increasing the distance between them, thus perturbing the correlation of genetic to physical length for the same map interval.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

High-Resolution Mapping of Epigenetic Modifications of the Rice Genome Uncovers Interplay between DNA Methylation, Histone Methylation, and Gene Expression

Xueyong Li, Xiangfeng Wang, Kun He, Yeqin Ma, Ning Su, Hang He, Viktor Stolc, Waraporn Tongprasit, Weiwei Jin, Jiming Jiang, William Terzaghi, Songgang Li, and Xing Wang Deng

Plant Cell 2008 20: 259-276. First Published on February 8, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.056879

Eukaryotic genomes are subjected to various kinds of epigenetic modification that can have profound effects on genome organization and function. Here, global high-resolution maps of DNA methylation and histone H3 Lysine 4 di- and trimethylation in rice reveals combinatorial effects on chromatin structure, transcription, and gene regulation in plant development.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

EMBRYONIC FLOWER1 Participates in Polycomb Group–Mediated AG Gene Silencing in Arabidopsis

Myriam Calonje, Rosario Sanchez, Lingjing Chen, and Z. Renee Sung

Plant Cell 2008 20: 277-291. First Published on February 15, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.106.049957

EMBRYONIC FLOWER1 (EMF1) promotes vegetative development in Arabidopsis by inhibiting the expression of floral homeotic genes. This work shows that EMF1 interacts directly with AG, and this interaction depends on EMF2, a putative Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 member. In vivo, EMF1 enables transcriptional repression of AG after EMF2 action.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

COP1-Mediated Ubiquitination of CONSTANS Is Implicated in Cryptochrome Regulation of Flowering in Arabidopsis

Li-Jun Liu, Yan-Chun Zhang, Qing-Hua Li, Yi Sang, Jian Mao, Hong-Li Lian, Long Wang, and Hong-Quan Yang

Plant Cell 2008 20: 292-306. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.057281

The blue light photoreceptor cryptochrome (CRY), its signaling partner COP1, and CONSTANS (CO) are involved in regulating photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis. This study shows that CO acts downstream of COP1 and CRY to regulate flowering time. Whereas CRY stabilizes CO and promotes flowering, COP1 was found to degrade CO and suppress flowering.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

FIONA1 Is Essential for Regulating Period Length in the Arabidopsis Circadian Clock

Jeongsik Kim, Yumi Kim, Miji Yeom, Jin-Hee Kim, and Hong Gil Nam

Plant Cell 2008 20: 307-319. First Published on February 15, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.055715

FIONA1 is a novel circadian clock component that regulates the period length of the circadian rhythm but not its amplitude and robustness. Mutation of FIONA1 results in early flowering and an increase in the circadian period length. FIONA1 is a nuclear-localized, central oscillator–associated factor and is conserved in a variety of organisms.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

Potential Sites of Bioactive Gibberellin Production during Reproductive Growth in Arabidopsis

Jianhong Hu, Melissa G. Mitchum, Neel Barnaby, Belay T. Ayele, Mikihiro Ogawa, Edward Nam, Wei-Chu Lai, Atsushi Hanada, Jose M. Alonso, Joseph R. Ecker, Stephen M. Swain, Shinjiro Yamaguchi, Yuji Kamiya, and Tai-ping Sun

Plant Cell 2008 20: 320-336. First Published on February 29, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.057752

Gibberellins (GAs) are phytohormones that are essential for plant growth and development. This study evaluates the expression patterns and mutant phenotypes of the four GA 3-oxidase genes present in Arabidopsis to determine the likely location of bioactive GA synthesis and proposes a role for GA transport during flower and fruit development.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

The Arabidopsis Phytochrome-Interacting Factor PIF7, Together with PIF3 and PIF4, Regulates Responses to Prolonged Red Light by Modulating phyB Levels

Pablo Leivar, Elena Monte, Bassem Al-Sady, Christine Carle, Alyssa Storer, Jose M. Alonso, Joseph R. Ecker, and Peter H. Quail

Plant Cell 2008 20: 337-352. First Published on February 5, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.052142

Arabidopsis PIF7, a newly characterized phytochrome-interacting factor, is a bHLH transcription factor that regulates hypocotyl growth in red light. Upon irradiation, PIF7 interacts with phyB in the nucleus but, unlike PIF3, does not become phosphorylated and is light stable. PIF7, along with PIF3 and PIF4, is proposed to act in long-term red light by modulating phyB photoreceptor levels.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

An Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase Functions in PHOTOTROPIN1 Signaling in Arabidopis by Altering Cytosolic Ca²⁺

Xu Chen, Wen-Hui Lin, Yuan Wang, Sheng Luan, and Hong-Wei Xue

Plant Cell 2008 20: 353-366. First Published on February 5, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.052670

This work shows that 5PTase13, which encodes a key enzyme in the phosphatidylinositol metabolic pathway, acts independently from CRY1 and COP1 but functionally interacts with PHOT1 to antagonize PHOT1-mediated effects on calcium signaling under blue light.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

The Arabidopsis Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate 5-Kinase PIP5K3 Is a Key Regulator of Root Hair Tip Growth Hiroaki Kusano, Christa Testerink, Joop E.M. Vermeer, Tomohiko Tsuge, Hiroaki Shimada, Atsuhiro Oka, Teun Munnik, and Takashi Aoyama Plant Cell 2008 20: 367-380. First Published on February 15, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.056119 Phospholipids are important regulators of tip growth. This study shows that a kinase catalyzing the production of the phospholipid PtIns(4,5)P2 is expressed in developing root hairs. Since it specifically localizes to elongating root hair apices and the sites about to form bulges, this kinase is proposed to be a key player in localizing PtIns(4,5)P2 and directing tip growth in root hairs. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data] OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE

ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE4 Encodes a Phosphatidylinositol-4-Phosphate Phosphatase Required for Proper Root Hair Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Julie M. Thole, Joop E.M. Vermeer, Yanling Zhang, Theodorus W.J. Gadella, Jr., and Erik Nielsen

Plant Cell 2008 20: 381-395. First Published on February 15, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.054304

The root hair–defective mutant rhd4 contains a mutation in a phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate [PI(4)P] phosphatase. This mutation alters the localization of PI(4)P in root hair cells and results in aberrant root hair growth. The RHD4 protein is localized to a trans-Golgi compartment at the tips of root hairs where it regulates PI(4)P accumulation and root hair tip growth.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

The Microtubule Plus-End Binding Protein EB1 Functions in Root Responses to Touch and Gravity Signals in Arabidopsis

Sherryl R. Bisgrove, Yuh-Ru Julie Lee, Bo Liu, Nick T. Peters, and Darryl L. Kropf

Plant Cell 2008 20: 396-410. First Published on February 15, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.056846

This study analyzes a three-member family of microtubule-associated proteins called END BINDING1. Single and triple mutants in the three proteins show altered root responses to touch and gravity.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

BRICK1 Is Required for Apical Cell Growth in Filaments of the Moss Physcomitrella patens but Not for Gametophore Morphology

Pierre-François Perroud and Ralph S. Quatrano

Plant Cell 2008 20: 411-422. First Published on February 8, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.053256

Actin is localized at the site of tip growth in plant cells. This study shows that BRICK1 (BRK1), a protein involved in actin cytoskeleton formation, is localized at the growing tips of the moss Physcomitrella patens. When BRK1 is deleted, tip growth and localization of actin are eliminated. BRK1 appears to be involved in forming/stabilizing the actin required for tip growth.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

MAP65-3 Microtubule-Associated Protein Is Essential for Nematode-Induced Giant Cell Ontogenesis in Arabidopsis

Marie-Cécile Caillaud, Philippe Lecomte, Fabien Jammes, Michaël Quentin, Sophie Pagnotta, Emilie Andrio, Janice de Almeida Engler, Nicolas Marfaing, Pierre Gounon, Pierre Abad, and Bruno Favery

Plant Cell 2008 20: 423-437. First Published on February 8, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.057422

The microtubule-associated protein MAP65-3 plays a key role in organizing microtubule arrays during mitosis and cytokinesis in all plant organs. This study shows that MAP65-3 is crucial for multinucleate giant cell development in Arabidopsis roots infected with parasitic nematodes and is associated with mini cell plates, which separate daughter nuclei in the giant cells.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

Identification of a Novel Adenine Nucleotide Transporter in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Arabidopsis

Michaela Leroch, H. Ekkehard Neuhaus, Simon Kirchberger, Sandra Zimmermann, Michael Melzer, Joachim Gerhold, and Joachim Tjaden

Plant Cell 2008 20: 438-451. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.057554

The adenine nucleotide exchanger ER-ANT1 provides the energy supply in the endoplasmic reticulum of Arabidopsis thaliana. ER-ANT1 Arabidopsis knockout lines show severe growth defects in all ER-active tissues, revealing that ATP transport into the ER lumen by ER-ANT1 is key for the metabolism of higher plants.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

Tocopherols Modulate Extraplastidic Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Arabidopsis at Low Temperature

Hiroshi Maeda, Tammy L. Sage, Giorgis Isaac, Ruth Welti, and Dean DellaPenna

Plant Cell 2008 20: 452-470. First Published on February 26, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.054718

Tocopherols (vitamin E) are synthesized in plastids and are assumed to have essential functions restricted to these organelles. This study provides biochemical and genetic evidence that tocopherols impact extraplastidic lipid metabolism and transfer cell wall development early in the cold adaptation response of Arabidopsis.

[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]

A LysM Receptor-Like Kinase Plays a Critical Role in Chitin Signaling and Fungal Resistance in Arabidopsis Jinrong Wan, Xue-Cheng Zhang, David Neece, Katrina M. Ramonell, Steve Clough, Sung-yong Kim, Minviluz G. Stacey, and Gary Stacey Plant Cell 2008 20: 471-481. First Published on February 8, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.056754 A mutation in a LysM receptor-like protein disrupted the ability of Arabidopsis to induce an innate immunity response to chitin, an elicitor produced by pathogenic fungi. The initial plant response to chitin involves a unique signaling pathway, which may share conserved downstream components with other elicitor pathways, such as the FLS2/flagellin- and EFR/EF-Tu–mediated signaling pathways. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data] OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE

A Maize (E)-β-Caryophyllene Synthase Implicated in Indirect Defense Responses against Herbivores Is Not Expressed in Most American Maize Varieties Tobias G. Köllner, Matthias Held, Claudia Lenk, Ivan Hiltpold, Ted C.J. Turlings, Jonathan Gershenzon, and Jörg Degenhardt Plant Cell 2008 20: 482-494. First Published on February 22, 2008; 10.1105/tpc.107.051672 After herbivore damage, many plants release complex blends of terpene volatiles that attract natural enemies of the herbivores. This study identifies the terpene synthase that produces a sesquiterpene released by maize in response to herbivory aboveground and belowground and shows that transcription of its encoding gene is greatly reduced in cultivated North American maize lines. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data] OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE

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