{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "11245.1/e982467a-6b87-4f88-8ac3-53d0fb37aeb2", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:25:02Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-05-01", "title": "Arabinosylation of cell wall extensin is required for the directional response to salinity in roots", "description": "Abstract

Soil salinity is a major contributor to crop yield losses. To improve our understanding of root responses to salinity, we developed and exploited a real-time salt-induced tilting assay. This assay follows root growth upon both gravitropic and salt challenges, revealing that root bending upon tilting is modulated by Na+ ions, but not by osmotic stress. Next, we measured this salt-specific response in 345 natural Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions and discovered a genetic locus, encoding the cell wall-modifying enzyme EXTENSIN ARABINOSE DEFICIENT TRANSFERASE (ExAD) that is associated with root bending in the presence of NaCl (hereafter salt). Extensins are a class of structural cell wall glycoproteins known as hydroxyproline (Hyp)-rich glycoproteins, which are posttranslationally modified by O-glycosylation, mostly involving Hyp-arabinosylation. We show that salt-induced ExAD-dependent Hyp-arabinosylation influences root bending responses and cell wall thickness. Roots of exad1 mutant seedlings, which lack Hyp-arabinosylation of extensin, displayed increased thickness of root epidermal cell walls and greater cell wall porosity. They also showed altered gravitropic root bending in salt conditions and a reduced salt-avoidance response. Our results suggest that extensin modification via Hyp-arabinosylation is a unique salt-specific cellular process required for the directional response of roots exposed to salinity.A dramatic evolution of fruit size has accompanied the domestication and improvement of fruit-bearing crop species. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), naturally occurring cis-regulatory mutations in the genes of the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL signaling pathway have led to a significant increase in fruit size generating enlarged meristems that lead to flowers with extra organs and bigger fruits. In this work, by combining mapping-by-sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing methods, we isolatedEXCESSIVE NUMBER OF FLORAL ORGANS(ENO), an AP2/ERF transcription factor which regulates floral meristem activity. Thus, theENOgene mutation gives rise to plants that yield larger multilocular fruits due to an increased size of the floral meristem. Genetic analyses indicate thatenoexhibits synergistic effects with mutations at theLOCULE NUMBER(encodingSlWUS) andFASCIATED(encodingSlCLV3) loci, two central players in the evolution of fruit size in the domestication of cultivated tomatoes. Our findings reveal that anenomutation causes a substantial expansion ofSlWUSexpression domains in a flower-specific manner. In vitro binding results show that ENO is able to interact with the GGC-box cis-regulatory element within theSlWUSpromoter region, suggesting that ENO directly regulatesSlWUSexpression domains to maintain floral stem-cell homeostasis. Furthermore, the study of natural allelic variation of theENOlocus proved that a cis-regulatory mutation in the promoter ofENOhad been targeted by positive selection during the domestication process, setting up the background for significant increases in fruit locule number and fruit size in modern tomatoes.

", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "570", "Floral meristem", "[SPI] Engineering Sciences [physics]", "[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]", "Meristem", "Quantitative Trait Loci", "Genes", " Plant", "CLAVATA/WUSCHEL regulatory network", "Domestication", "[SPI]Engineering Sciences [physics]", "03 medical and health sciences", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "AP2/ERF transcription factor", "Promoter Regions", " Genetic", "Cell Proliferation", "Plant Proteins", "580", "Homeodomain Proteins", "2. Zero hunger", "Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)", "0303 health sciences", "Stem Cells", "Biological Sciences", "15. Life on land", "fruit size", "Crop Production", "[SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]", "CLAVATA-WUSCHEL regulatory network", "GENETICA", "Fruit", "Mutation", "Fruit size", "floral meristem", "Transcription Factors"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.1913688117"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1913688117"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Proceedings%20of%20the%20National%20Academy%20of%20Sciences", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1073/pnas.1913688117", "name": "item", "description": "10.1073/pnas.1913688117", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1073/pnas.1913688117"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-03-16T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jplph.2017.03.003", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:16:51Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-03-09", "title": "Drought stress obliterates the preference for ammonium as an N source in the C 4 plant Spartina alterniflora", "description": "The C4 grass Spartina alterniflora is known for its unique salt tolerance and strong preference for ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen (N) source. We here examined whether Spartina's unique preference for NH4+ results in improved performance under drought stress. Manipulative greenhouse experiments were carried out to measure the effects of variable water availability and inorganic N sources on plant performance (growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant, and N metabolism). Drought strongly reduced leaf number and area, plant fresh and dry weight, and photosynthetic activity on all N sources, but the reduction was most pronounced on NH4+. Indeed, the growth advantage seen on NH4+ in the absence of drought, producing nearly double the biomass compared to growth on NO3-, was entirely obliterated under both intermediate and severe drought conditions (50 and 25% field capacity, respectively). Both fresh and dry weight became indistinguishable among N sources under drought. Major markers of the antioxidant capacity of the plant, the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, showed higher constitutive levels on NH4+. Catalase and glutathione reductase were specifically upregulated in NH4+-fed plants with increasing drought stress. This upregulation, however, failed to protect the plants from drought stress. Nitrogen metabolism was characterized by lower constitutive levels of glutamine synthetase in NH4+-fed plants, and a rise in glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity under drought, accompanied by elevated proline levels in leaves. Our results support postulates on the important role of GDH induction, and its involvement in the synthesis of compatible solutes, under abiotic stress. We show that, despite this metabolic shift, S. alterniflora's sensitivity to drought does not benefit from growth on NH4+ and that the imposition of drought stress equalizes all N-source-related growth differences observed under non-drought conditions.", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Nitrogen", "Superoxide Dismutase", "15. Life on land", "Catalase", "Poaceae", "01 natural sciences", "Antioxidants", "6. Clean water", "Droughts", "Plant Leaves", "Ascorbate Peroxidases", "Glutamate Dehydrogenase", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Ammonium Compounds", "Photosynthesis"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2017.03.003"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Plant%20Physiology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jplph.2017.03.003", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jplph.2017.03.003", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jplph.2017.03.003"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2017-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/s41586-024-07607-6", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:18:00Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-06-26", "title": "Zinc mediates control of nitrogen fixation via transcription factor filamentation", "description": "Abstract

Plants adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions by adjusting their metabolism and gene expression to maintain fitness1. In legumes, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by balancing nitrogen acquired from soil resources with nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria in root nodules2\uffe2\uff80\uff938. Here we show that zinc, an essential plant micronutrient, acts as an intracellular second messenger that connects environmental changes to transcription factor control of metabolic activity in root nodules. We identify a transcriptional regulator, FIXATION UNDER NITRATE (FUN), which acts as a sensor, with zinc controlling the transition between an inactive filamentous megastructure and an active transcriptional regulator. Lower zinc concentrations in the nodule, which we show occur in response to higher levels of soil nitrate, dissociates the filament and activates FUN. FUN then directly targets multiple pathways to initiate breakdown of the nodule. The zinc-dependent filamentation mechanism thus establishes a concentration readout to adapt nodule function to the environmental nitrogen conditions. In a wider perspective, these results have implications for understanding the roles of metal ions in integration of environmental signals with plant development and optimizing delivery of fixed nitrogen in legume crops.Microbial soil habitats are characterized by rapid shifts in substrate and nutrient availabilities, as well as chemical and physical parameters. One such parameter that can vary in soil is oxygen; thus, microbial survival is dependent on adaptation to this substrate. To better understand the metabolic abilities and adaptive strategies to oxygen-deprived environments, we combined genomics with transcriptomics of a model organism, Acidobacterium capsulatum, to explore the effect of decreasing, environmentally relevant oxygen concentrations. The decrease from 10 to 0.1\uffc2\uffa0\uffc2\uffb5M oxygen (3.6 to 0.036 pO2% present atmospheric level, respectively) caused the upregulation of the transcription of genes involved in signal transduction mechanisms, energy production and conversion and secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism based on clusters of orthologous group categories. Contrary to established observations for aerobic metabolism, key genes in oxidative stress response were significantly upregulated at lower oxygen concentrations, presumably due to an NADH/NAD+ redox ratio imbalance as the cells transitioned into nanoxia. Furthermore, A. capsulatum adapted to nanoxia by inducing a respiro-fermentative metabolism and rerouting fluxes of its central carbon and energy pathways to adapt to high NADH/NAD+ redox ratios. Our results reveal physiological features and metabolic capabilities that allowed A. capsulatum to adapt to oxygen-limited conditions, which could expand into other environmentally relevant soil strains.IRON\uffe2\uff80\uff90REGULATED TRANSPORTER1 (IRT1) is the root high\uffe2\uff80\uff90affinity ferrous iron (Fe) uptake system and indispensable for the completion of the life cycle of Arabidopsis thaliana without vigorous Fe supplementation. Here we provide evidence supporting a second role of IRT1 in root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot partitioning of Fe. We show that irt1 mutants overaccumulate Fe in roots, most prominently in the cortex of the differentiation zone in irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, compared to the wild type. Shoots of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902 are severely Fe\uffe2\uff80\uff90deficient according to Fe content and marker transcripts, as expected. We generated irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902 lines producing IRT1 mutant variants carrying single amino\uffe2\uff80\uff90acid substitutions of key residues in transmembrane helices IV and V, Ser206 and His232, which are required for transport activity in yeast. Root short\uffe2\uff80\uff90term 55Fe uptake rates were uninformative concerning IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90mediated transport. Overall irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff90like concentrations of the secondary substrate Mn suggested that the transgenic Arabidopsis lines also remain incapable of IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90mediated root Fe uptake. Yet, IRT1S206A partially complements rosette dwarfing and leaf chlorosis of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, as well as root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot Fe partitioning and gene expression defects of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, all of which are fully complemented by wild\uffe2\uff80\uff90type IRT1. Taken together, these results suggest a regulatory function for IRT1 in root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot Fe partitioning that does not require Fe transport activity of IRT1. Among the genes of which transcript levels are partially dependent on IRT1, we identify MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN10, MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN72 and NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE4 as candidates for effecting IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90dependent Fe mobilization in roots. Understanding the biological functions of IRT1 will help to improve Fe nutrition and the nutritional quality of agricultural crops.Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are molecular weapons designed to deliver toxic effectors into prey cells. These nanomachines have an important role in inter-bacterial competition and provide advantages to T6SS active strains in polymicrobial environments. Here we analyze the genome of the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and identify three T6SS gene clusters (K1-, K2- and K3-T6SS). Besides, 10 T6SS effector\uffe2\uff80\uff93immunity pairs were found, including putative nucleases and pore-forming colicins. We show that the K1-T6SS is a potent antibacterial device, which secretes a toxic Rhs-type effector Tke2. Remarkably, P. putida eradicates a broad range of bacteria in a K1-T6SS-dependent manner, including resilient phytopathogens, which demonstrates that the T6SS is instrumental to empower P. putida to fight against competitors. Furthermore, we observed a drastically reduced necrosis on the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana during co-infection with P. putida and Xanthomonas campestris. Such protection is dependent on the activity of the P. putida T6SS. Many routes have been explored to develop biocontrol agents capable of manipulating the microbial composition of the rhizosphere and phyllosphere. Here we unveil a novel mechanism for plant biocontrol, which needs to be considered for the selection of plant wardens whose mission is to prevent phytopathogen infections.

", "keywords": ["PROTEIN SECRETION", "Nicotiana", "0301 basic medicine", "570", "INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION", "05 Environmental Sciences", "VIBRIO-CHOLERAE", "Environmental Sciences & Ecology", "VI SECRETION SYSTEM", "Xanthomonas campestris", "Microbiology", "03 medical and health sciences", "Bacterial Proteins", "10 Technology", "Plant Diseases", "0303 health sciences", "Science & Technology", "Ecology", "Pseudomonas putida", "ROOT MICROBIOME", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Bacterial", "06 Biological Sciences", "Type VI Secretion Systems", "GENOMIC ANALYSIS", "Biological Control Agents", "ESCHERICHIA-COLI", "EFFECTORS", "IMMUNITY PROTEINS", "Original Article", "HOST-RANGE", "Life Sciences & Biomedicine"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.nature.com/articles/ismej2016169.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2016.169"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/The%20ISME%20Journal", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/ismej.2016.169", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/ismej.2016.169", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/ismej.2016.169"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2017-01-03T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/nature02051", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:17:54Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2003-10-29", "title": "Motor Neuron Columnar Fate Imposed By Sequential Phases Of Hox-C Activity", "description": "The organization of neurons into columns is a prominent feature of central nervous system structure and function. In many regions of the central nervous system the grouping of neurons into columns links cell-body position to axonal trajectory, thus contributing to the establishment of topographic neural maps. This link is prominent in the developing spinal cord, where columnar sets of motor neurons innervate distinct targets in the periphery. We show here that sequential phases of Hox-c protein expression and activity control the columnar differentiation of spinal motor neurons. Hox expression in neural progenitors is established by graded fibroblast growth factor signalling and translated into a distinct motor neuron Hox pattern. Motor neuron columnar fate then emerges through cell autonomous repressor and activator functions of Hox proteins. Hox proteins also direct the expression of genes that establish motor topographic projections, thus implicating Hox proteins as critical determinants of spinal motor neuron identity and organization.", "keywords": ["Homeodomain Proteins", "Motor Neurons", "0301 basic medicine", "0303 health sciences", "Fibroblast Growth Factor 8", "Stem Cells", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Developmental", "Mitosis", "Cell Differentiation", "Chick Embryo", "Neoplasm Proteins", "3. Good health", "DNA-Binding Proteins", "Fibroblast Growth Factors", "Mice", "03 medical and health sciences", "Spinal Cord", "Animals", "RNA", " Messenger", "Body Patterning", "Signal Transduction"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Thomas M. Jessell, Jeh-Ping Liu, Jeremy S. Dasen,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02051"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nature", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/nature02051", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/nature02051", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/nature02051"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2003-10-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/s41467-023-42911-1", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:17:57Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-11-07", "title": "Single-cell analysis identifies genes facilitating rhizobium infection in Lotus japonicus", "description": "Abstract

Legume-rhizobium signaling during establishment of symbiotic nitrogen fixation restricts rhizobium colonization to specific cells. A limited number of root hair cells allow infection threads to form, and only a fraction of the epidermal infection threads progress to cortical layers to establish functional nodules. Here we use single-cell analysis to define the epidermal and cortical cell populations that respond to and facilitate rhizobium infection. We then identify high-confidence nodulation gene candidates based on their specific expression in these populations, pinpointing genes stably associated with infection across genotypes and time points. We show that one of these, which we name SYMRKL1, encodes a protein with an ectodomain predicted to be nearly identical to that of SYMRK and is required for normal infection thread formation. Our work disentangles cellular processes and transcriptional modules that were previously confounded due to lack of cellular resolution, providing a more detailed understanding of symbiotic interactions.Drought severely restricts plant production and global warming is further increasing drought stress for crops. Much information reveals the ability of individual microbes affecting plant stress tolerance. However, the effects of emergent bacterial community properties on plant drought tolerance remain largely unexplored. Here, we inoculated Arabidopsis plants in vivo with a four-species bacterial consortium (Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Xanthomonas retroflexus, Microbacterium oxydans, and Paenibacillus amylolyticus, termed as SPMX), which is able to synergistically produce more biofilm biomass together than the sum of the four single-strain cultures, to investigate its effects on plant performance and rhizo-microbiota during drought. We found that SPMX remarkably improved Arabidopsis survival post 21-day drought whereas no drought-tolerant effect was observed when subjected to the individual strains, revealing emergent properties of the SPMX consortium as the underlying cause of the induced drought tolerance. The enhanced drought tolerance was associated with sustained chlorophyll content and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. Furthermore, our data showed that the addition of SPMX helped to stabilize the diversity and structure of root-associated microbiomes, which potentially benefits plant health under drought. These SPMX-induced changes jointly confer an increased drought tolerance to plants. Our work may inform future efforts to engineer the emergent bacterial community properties to improve plant tolerance to drought. Soil salinity presents a dual challenge for plants, involving both osmotic and ionic stress. In response, plants deploy distinct yet interconnected mechanisms to cope with these facets of salinity stress. In this investigation, we observed a substantial overlap in the salt (NaCl)-induced transcriptional responses of Arabidopsis roots with those triggered by osmotic stress or the plant stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA), as anticipated. Notably, a specific cluster of genes responded uniquely to sodium (Na + ) ions and are not regulated by the known monovalent cation sensing mechanism MOCA1 . Surprisingly, expression of sodium-induced genes exhibited a negative correlation with the ABA response and preceded the activation of genes induced by the osmotic stress component of salt. Elevated exogenous ABA levels resulted in the complete abolition of sodium-induced responses. Consistently, the ABA insensitive snrk2.2/2.3 double mutant displayed prolonged sodium-induced gene expression, coupled with increased root cell damage and root swelling under high salinity conditions. Moreover, ABA biosynthesis and signaling mutants were unable to redirect root growth to avoid high sodium concentrations and had increased sodium accumulation in the shoot. In summary, our findings unveil an unexpected and pivotal role for ABA signaling in mitigating cellular damage induced by salinity stress and modulating sodium-induced responses in plant roots. Copper (Cu) is a cofactor of around 300 Arabidopsis proteins, including photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron transfer chain enzymes critical for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and carbon fixation. Plant acclimation to Cu deficiency requires the transcription factor SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE7 (SPL7). We report that in the wild type (WT) and in the spl7-1 mutant, respiratory electron flux via Cu-dependent cytochrome c oxidase is unaffected under both normal and low-Cu cultivation conditions. Supplementing Cu-deficient medium with exogenous sugar stimulated growth of the WT, but not of spl7 mutants. Instead, these mutants accumulated carbohydrates, including the signaling sugar trehalose 6-phosphate, as well as ATP and NADH, even under normal Cu supply and without sugar supplementation. Delayed spl7-1 development was in agreement with its attenuated sugar responsiveness. Functional TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN and SNF1-RELATED KINASE1 signaling in spl7-1 argued against fundamental defects in these energy-signaling hubs. Sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitates combined with transcriptome profiling identified direct targets of SPL7-mediated positive regulation, including Fe SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE1 (FSD1), COPPER-DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (CITF1), and the uncharacterized bHLH23 (CITF2), as well as an enriched upstream GTACTRC motif. In summary, transducing energy availability into growth and reproductive development requires the function of SPL7. Our results could help increase crop yields, especially on Cu-deficient soils.Salinity stress constrains lateral root (LR) growth and severely affects plant growth. Auxin signaling regulates LR formation, but the molecular mechanism by which salinity affects root auxin signaling and whether salt induces other pathways that regulate LR development remains unknown. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the auxin-regulated transcription factor LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARY DOMAIN 16 (LBD16) is an essential player in LR development under control conditions. Here, we show that under high-salt conditions, an alternative pathway regulates LBD16 expression. Salt represses auxin signaling but, in parallel, activates ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA 6 (ZAT6), a transcriptional activator of LBD16. ZAT6 activates LBD16 expression, thus contributing to downstream cell wall remodeling and promoting LR development under high-salt conditions. Our study thus shows that the integration of auxin-dependent repressive and salt-activated auxin-independent pathways converging on LBD16 modulates root branching under high-salt conditions.Soil salinity is a major contributor to crop yield losses. To improve our understanding of root responses to salinity, we developed and exploited a real-time salt-induced tilting assay. This assay follows root growth upon both gravitropic and salt challenges, revealing that root bending upon tilting is modulated by Na+ ions, but not by osmotic stress. Next, we measured this salt-specific response in 345 natural Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions and discovered a genetic locus, encoding the cell wall-modifying enzyme EXTENSIN ARABINOSE DEFICIENT TRANSFERASE (ExAD) that is associated with root bending in the presence of NaCl (hereafter salt). Extensins are a class of structural cell wall glycoproteins known as hydroxyproline (Hyp)-rich glycoproteins, which are posttranslationally modified by O-glycosylation, mostly involving Hyp-arabinosylation. We show that salt-induced ExAD-dependent Hyp-arabinosylation influences root bending responses and cell wall thickness. Roots of exad1 mutant seedlings, which lack Hyp-arabinosylation of extensin, displayed increased thickness of root epidermal cell walls and greater cell wall porosity. They also showed altered gravitropic root bending in salt conditions and a reduced salt-avoidance response. Our results suggest that extensin modification via Hyp-arabinosylation is a unique salt-specific cellular process required for the directional response of roots exposed to salinity.During nutrient scarcity, plants can adapt their developmental strategy to maximize their chance of survival. Such plasticity in development is underpinned by hormonal regulation, which mediates the relationship between environmental cues and developmental outputs. In legumes, endosymbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) is a key adaptation for supplying the plant with nitrogen in the form of ammonium. Rhizobia are housed in lateral root-derived organs termed nodules that maintain an environment conducive to Nitrogenase in these bacteria. Several phytohormones are important for regulating the formation of nodules, with both positive and negative roles proposed for gibberellin (GA). In this study, we determine the cellular location and function of bioactive GA during nodule organogenesis using a genetically encoded second-generation GA biosensor, GIBBERELLIN PERCEPTION SENSOR 2 in Medicago truncatula. We find endogenous bioactive GA accumulates locally at the site of nodule primordia, increasing dramatically in the cortical cell layers, persisting through cell divisions, and maintaining accumulation in the mature nodule meristem. We show, through misexpression of GA-catabolic enzymes that suppress GA accumulation, that GA acts as a positive regulator of nodule growth and development. Furthermore, increasing or decreasing GA through perturbation of biosynthesis gene expression can increase or decrease the size of nodules, respectively. This is unique from lateral root formation, a developmental program that shares common organogenesis regulators. We link GA to a wider gene regulatory program by showing that nodule-identity genes induce and sustain GA accumulation necessary for proper nodule formation.Rhizobial infection of legume roots during development of nitrogen fixing root nodules occurs either intracellularly though plant derived infection threads traversing the epidermal and cortical cell layers to deliver the bacteria or intercellularly via bacterial entry between epidermal plant cells. Although, around 25% of all legume genera are postulated to be intercellularly infected, the pathways and mechanisms supporting this process has remained virtually unexplored due to lack of genetically amenable legumes that have this infection mode. In this study, we report that the model legume Lotus japonicus is infected intercellularly by Rhizobium sp. IRBG74 and demonstrate that the resources available in Lotus enable insight into the genetic requirements and the fine-tuning of the pathway governing intercellular infection. Inoculation of Lotus mutants shows that Ern1 and RinRK1 are dispensable for intercellular infection in contrast to intracellular infection. Other symbiotic genes, including Nfr5, SymRK, CCaMK, Epr3, Cyclops, Nin, Nsp1, Nsp2, Cbs and Vpy1 are equally important for both entry modes. Comparative RNAseq analysis of roots inoculated with IRBG74 revealed a distinctive transcriptome response compared to intracellular colonization. In particular, a number of cytokinin-related genes were differentially regulated. Corroborating this observation cyp735A and ipt4 cytokinin biosynthesis mutants were significantly affected in their nodulation with IRBG74 while lhk1 cytokinin receptor mutants did not form any nodules. These results indicate that a differential requirement for cytokinin signalling conditions intercellular rhizobial entry and highlight the distinct modalities of the inter- and intra-cellular infection mechanisms.

", "keywords": ["name=Physiology", "580", "0301 basic medicine", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1314", "0303 health sciences", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1311", "571", "Regular Issue", "name=Genetics", "/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1110", "Plant Roots", "03 medical and health sciences", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases", "Lotus", "name=Plant Science", "Root Nodules", " Plant", "Plant Proteins", "Rhizobium", "Signal Transduction"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://academic.oup.com/plphys/article-pdf/185/3/1131/37166752/kiaa049.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiaa049"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20Physiology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1093/plphys/kiaa049", "name": "item", "description": "10.1093/plphys/kiaa049", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1093/plphys/kiaa049"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-05-31T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1093/treephys/23.12.815", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:18:37Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-01-20", "title": "An Auxin-Repressed Gene (Rparp) From Black Locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia) Is Posttranscriptionally Regulated And Negatively Associated With Shoot Elongation", "description": "The plant hormone auxin regulates various growth and developmental processes by controlling the expression of auxin-response genes. While many genes up-regulated by auxin have been characterized, less is known about the genes that are down-regulated by auxin. We isolated and characterized an auxin-repressed gene (RpARP) from the tree legume, Robinia pseudoacacia L. A sequence similarity search in public databases showed that the RpARP gene has homologs in various higher plants including monocots and dicots. The deduced amino acid sequences are highly conserved among these homologs (up to 85% identity). Northern blot analysis showed that auxin repressed RpARP gene expression and that repression was dependent on the presence of metabolizable sugar and on protein synthesis. In addition, cold treatment abolished the auxin-mediated repression of RpARP gene expression. Results from transgenic plant analyses suggest that RpARP gene expression is posttranscriptionally regulated by auxin and by the untranslated regions. Sequence analysis of the promoter region (-70 and -500 bp upstream of the putative transcription initiation site) of the RpARP gene identified four sucrose-repressible response elements (TATCCAT-motifs; Huang et al. 1990), suggesting that the cis-elements responsible for regulation by sucrose are located in the promoter region. In fact, the expression of the transgenic RpARP gene was unaffected by sucrose when driven by a CaMV 35S promoter. We present evidence that RpARP gene expression is negatively associated with hypocotyl elongation.", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "Base Sequence", "Indoleacetic Acids", "Molecular Sequence Data", "Arabidopsis", "Robinia", "Blotting", " Northern", "Genes", " Plant", "Plants", " Genetically Modified", "Trees", "03 medical and health sciences", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Sequence Alignment", "Plant Shoots"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/23.12.815"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Tree%20Physiology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1093/treephys/23.12.815", "name": "item", "description": "10.1093/treephys/23.12.815", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1093/treephys/23.12.815"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2003-08-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1101/2020.05.29.124313", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:18:41Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-05-31", "title": "Distinct signalling routes mediates intercellular and intracellular rhizobial infection in Lotus japonicus", "description": "Abstract

Rhizobial infection of legume roots during development of nitrogen fixing root nodules occurs either intracellularly though plant derived infection threads traversing the epidermal and cortical cell layers to deliver the bacteria or intercellularly via bacterial entry between epidermal plant cells. Although, around 25% of all legume genera are postulated to be intercellularly infected, the pathways and mechanisms supporting this process has remained virtually unexplored due to lack of genetically amenable legumes that have this infection mode. In this study, we report that the model legume Lotus japonicus is infected intercellularly by Rhizobium sp. IRBG74 and demonstrate that the resources available in Lotus enable insight into the genetic requirements and the fine-tuning of the pathway governing intercellular infection. Inoculation of Lotus mutants shows that Ern1 and RinRK1 are dispensable for intercellular infection in contrast to intracellular infection. Other symbiotic genes, including Nfr5, SymRK, CCaMK, Epr3, Cyclops, Nin, Nsp1, Nsp2, Cbs and Vpy1 are equally important for both entry modes. Comparative RNAseq analysis of roots inoculated with IRBG74 revealed a distinctive transcriptome response compared to intracellular colonization. In particular, a number of cytokinin-related genes were differentially regulated. Corroborating this observation cyp735A and ipt4 cytokinin biosynthesis mutants were significantly affected in their nodulation with IRBG74 while lhk1 cytokinin receptor mutants did not form any nodules. These results indicate that a differential requirement for cytokinin signalling conditions intercellular rhizobial entry and highlight the distinct modalities of the inter- and intra-cellular infection mechanisms.To address the challenge of predicting tomato yields in the field, we used whole-plant functional phenotyping to evaluate water relations under well-irrigated and drought conditions. The genotypes tested are known to exhibit variability in their yields in wet and dry fields. The examined lines included two lines with recessive mutations that affect carotenoid biosynthesis, zetaz2083and tangerinet3406, both isogenic to the processing tomato variety M82. The two mutant lines were reciprocally grafted onto M82, and multiple physiological characteristics were measured continuously, before, during and after drought treatment in the greenhouse. A comparative analysis of greenhouse and field yields showed that the whole-canopy stomatal conductance (gsc) in the morning and cumulative transpiration (CT) were strongly correlated with field measurements of total yield (TY:r2= 0.9 and 0.77, respectively) and plant vegetative weight (PW:r2= 0.6 and 0.94, respectively). Furthermore, the minimum CT during drought and the rate of recovery when irrigation was resumed were both found to predict resilience.

", "keywords": ["Crops", " Agricultural", "0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "Dehydration", "Genotype", "Genetic Variation", "15. Life on land", "Genes", " Plant", "Adaptation", " Physiological", "6. Clean water", "Droughts", "03 medical and health sciences", "Phenotype", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Mutation", "Plant Physiological Phenomena", "Forecasting"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.18.435447"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1101/2021.03.18.435447", "name": "item", "description": "10.1101/2021.03.18.435447", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1101/2021.03.18.435447"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-03-19T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1104/pp.18.01546", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:18:44Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2019-06-04", "title": "Abscisic Acid Coordinates Dose-Dependent Developmental and Hydraulic Responses of Roots to Water Deficit.", "description": "Root water uptake is influenced by root system architecture, which is determined by root growth and branching and the hydraulics of root cells and tissues. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a major role in the adaptation of plants to water deficit (WD). Here we addressed at the whole-root level in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) the regulatory role of ABA in mechanisms that determine root hydraulic architecture. Root system architecture and root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) were analyzed in hydroponically grown plants subjected to varying degrees of WD induced by various polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations. The majority of root traits investigated, including first- and second-order lateral root production and elongation and whole-root hydraulics, had a bell-shaped dependency on WD, displaying stimulation under mild WD conditions (25 g PEG L-1) and repression under more severe conditions. These traits also showed a bell-shaped dependency on exogenous ABA, and their regulation by WD was attenuated in genotypes altered in ABA biosynthesis and response. Thus, we propose that ABA acts as a coordinator and an integrator of most root responses to mild and moderate WD, whereas responses to strong WD (150 g PEG L-1) are largely ABA independent. We also found that roots exhibit different growth responses to both WD and ABA depending on their rank and age. Taken together, our results give further insights into the coordinated water acquisition strategies of roots deployed in relation to WD intensity.", "keywords": ["580", "2. Zero hunger", "0301 basic medicine", "0303 health sciences", "[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]", "Water", "15. Life on land", "Plant Roots", "6. Clean water", "Polyethylene Glycols", "[SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]", "03 medical and health sciences", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "[SDV.BV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "[SDV.BV] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "Abscisic Acid"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://hal.science/hal-02139355/file/Rosales-A.M.-et%20al-PostPrint-PlantPhysiol-2019.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.18.01546"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20Physiology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1104/pp.18.01546", "name": "item", "description": "10.1104/pp.18.01546", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1104/pp.18.01546"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-06-04T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/1751-7915.13383", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:18:49Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2019-03-13", "title": "Physical decoupling of XylS/ Pm regulatory elements and conditional proteolysis enable precise control of gene expression in Pseudomonas putida", "description": "Summary

Most of the gene expression systems available for Gram\uffe2\uff80\uff90negative bacteria are afflicted by relatively high levels of basal (i.e. leaky) expression of the target gene(s). This occurrence affects the system dynamics, ultimately reducing the output and productivity of engineered pathways and synthetic circuits. In order to circumvent this problem, we have designed a novel expression system based on the well\uffe2\uff80\uff90known XylS/Pm transcriptional regulator/promoter pair from the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida mt\uffe2\uff80\uff902, in which the key functional elements are physically decoupled. By integrating the xylS gene into the chromosome of the platform strain KT2440, while placing the Pm promoter into a set of standard plasmid vectors, the inducibility of the system (i.e. the output difference between the induced and uninduced state) improved up to 170\uffe2\uff80\uff90fold. We further combined this modular system with an extra layer of post\uffe2\uff80\uff90translational control by means of conditional proteolysis. In this setup, the target gene is tagged with a synthetic motif dictating protein degradation. When the system features were characterized using the monomeric superfolder GFP as a model protein, the basal levels of fluorescence were brought down to zero (i.e. below the limit of detection). In all, these novel expression systems constitute an alternative tool to altogether suppress leaky gene expression, and they can be easily adapted to other vector formats and plugged\uffe2\uff80\uff90in into different Gram\uffe2\uff80\uff90negative bacterial species at the user's will.

", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "0303 health sciences", "Pseudomonas putida", "Gene Expression", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Bacterial", "03 medical and health sciences", "Bacterial Proteins", "Proteolysis", "Trans-Activators", "Brief Reports", "Promoter Regions", " Genetic", "TP248.13-248.65", "Biotechnology", "Plasmids"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1751-7915.13383"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13383"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Microbial%20Biotechnology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/1751-7915.13383", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/1751-7915.13383", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/1751-7915.13383"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-03-12T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01822.x", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:19:08Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2008-04-22", "title": "Elevated Co2 Increases Photosynthesis, Biomass And Productivity, And Modifies Gene Expression In Sugarcane", "description": "ABSTRACT

Because of the economical relevance of sugarcane and its high potential as a source of biofuel, it is important to understand how this crop will respond to the foreseen increase in atmospheric [CO2]. The effects of increased [CO2] on photosynthesis, development and carbohydrate metabolism were studied in sugarcane (Saccharum ssp.). Plants were grown at ambient (\uffe2\uff88\uffbc370\uffe2\uff80\uff83ppm) and elevated (\uffe2\uff88\uffbc720\uffe2\uff80\uff83ppm) [CO2] during 50 weeks in open\uffe2\uff80\uff90top chambers. The plants grown under elevated CO2 showed, at the end of such period, an increase of about 30% in photosynthesis and 17% in height, and accumulated 40% more biomass in comparison with the plants grown at ambient [CO2]. These plants also had lower stomatal conductance and transpiration rates (\uffe2\uff88\uff9237 and \uffe2\uff88\uff9232%, respectively), and higher water\uffe2\uff80\uff90use efficiency (c.a. 62%). cDNA microarray analyses revealed a differential expression of 35 genes on the leaves (14 repressed and 22 induced) by elevated CO2. The latter are mainly related to photosynthesis and development. Industrial productivity analysis showed an increase of about 29% in sucrose content. These data suggest that sugarcane crops increase productivity in higher [CO2], and that this might be related, as previously observed for maize and sorghum, to transient drought stress.

", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "Sucrose", "Light", "Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction", "Temperature", "Humidity", "Carbon Dioxide", "15. Life on land", "Lignin", "01 natural sciences", "Saccharum", "Plant Leaves", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Plant Stomata", "Biomass", "Gases", "Photosynthesis", "Cellulose"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01822.x"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%2C%20Cell%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01822.x", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01822.x", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01822.x"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2008-07-09T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/nph.15014", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:19:17Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-02-09", "title": "Native soils with their microbiotas elicit a state of alert in tomato plants", "description": "Summary

Several studies have investigated soil microbial biodiversity, but understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant responses to soil microbiota remains in its infancy. Here, we focused on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), testing the hypothesis that plants grown on native soils display different responses to soil microbiotas.

Using transcriptomics, proteomics, and biochemistry, we describe the responses of two tomato genotypes (susceptible or resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) grown on an artificial growth substrate and two native soils (conducive and suppressive to Fusarium).

Native soils affected tomato responses by modulating pathways involved in responses to oxidative stress, phenol biosynthesis, lignin deposition, and innate immunity, particularly in the suppressive soil. In tomato plants grown on steam\uffe2\uff80\uff90disinfected soils, total phenols and lignin decreased significantly. The inoculation of a mycorrhizal fungus partly rescued this response locally and systemically. Plants inoculated with the fungal pathogen showed reduced disease symptoms in the resistant genotype in both soils, but the susceptible genotype was partially protected from the pathogen only when grown on the suppressive soil.

The \uffe2\uff80\uff98state of alert\uffe2\uff80\uff99 detected in tomatoes reveals novel mechanisms operating in plants in native soils and the soil microbiota appears to be one of the drivers of these plant responses.

", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "Proteome", "Propanols", "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi", "arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi", "tomato", "Lignin", "Models", " Biological", "Plant Roots", "defence responses", "Tomato", "Soil", "03 medical and health sciences", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Stress", " Physiological", "microbiota", "Plant Immunity", "Soil Microbiology", "suppressive and conducive soils", "susceptible and resistant genotypes", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "Defence responses", "Microbiota", "15. Life on land", "Lignin biosynthesis", "Gene Ontology", "Susceptible and resistant genotypes", "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Defence responses; Lignin biosynthesis; Microbiota; Suppressive and conducive soils; Susceptible and resistant genotypes; Tomato; Physiology; Plant Science", "Suppressive and conducive soils", "Transcriptome", "lignin biosynthesis"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://iris.unito.it/bitstream/2318/1660820/1/Chialva%20et%20al%20Iris.pdf"}, {"href": "https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.15014"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15014"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/New%20Phytologist", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/nph.15014", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/nph.15014", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/nph.15014"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-02-09T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/ppl.12714", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:19:19Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-03-01", "title": "Anatomical and hormonal description of rootlet primordium development along white lupin cluster root", "description": "

Cluster root (CR) is one of the most spectacular plant developmental adaptations to hostile environment. It can be found in a few species from a dozen botanical families, including white lupin (Lupinus albus) in the Fabaceae family. These amazing structures are produced in phosphate\uffe2\uff80\uff90deprived conditions and are made of hundreds of short roots also known as rootlets. White lupin is the only crop bearing CRs and is considered as the model species for CR studies. However, little information is available on CRs atypical development, including the molecular events that trigger their formation. To provide insights on CR formation, we performed an anatomical and cellular description of rootlet development in white lupin. Starting with a classic histological approach, we described rootlet primordium development and defined eight developmental stages from rootlet initiation to their emergence. Due to the major role of hormones in the developmental program of root system, we next focussed on auxin\uffe2\uff80\uff90related mechanisms. We observed the establishment of an auxin maximum through rootlet development in transgenic roots expressing the DR5:GUS auxin reporter. Expression analysis of the main auxin\uffe2\uff80\uff90related genes [TIR, Auxin Response Factor (ARF) and AUX/IAA] during a detailed time course revealed specific expression associated with the formation of the rootlet primordium. We showed that L. albus TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1b is expressed during rootlet primordium formation and that L. albus AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 5 is expressed in the vasculature but absent in the primordium itself. Altogether, our results describe the very early cellular events leading to CR formation and reveal some of the auxin\uffe2\uff80\uff90related mechanisms.

", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "racine laterale", "Plant Roots", "inhibiteur de transport d'auxine", "physiologie v\u00e9g\u00e9tale", "03 medical and health sciences", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16034", "[SDV.BV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "[SDV.BV] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Vegetal Biology", "Cloning", " Molecular", "Promoter Regions", " Genetic", "Plant Proteins", "580", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_25189", "0303 health sciences", "syst\u00e8me racinaire", "Vegetal Biology", "interaction sol racine", "Indoleacetic Acids", "Plants", " Genetically Modified", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_27527", "Lupinus", "Lupinus albus", "lupinus albus", "phosphate inorganique", "Biologie v\u00e9g\u00e9tale", "expression des g\u00e8nes", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4464"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ppl.12714"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12714"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Physiologia%20Plantarum", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/ppl.12714", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/ppl.12714", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/ppl.12714"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-07-26T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/nph.18873", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:19:18Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-03-13", "title": "Effective root responses to salinity stress include maintained cell expansion and carbon allocation", "description": "Summary

Acclimation of root growth is vital for plants to survive salt stress. Halophytes are great examples of plants that thrive even under severe salinity, but their salt tolerance mechanisms, especially those mediated by root responses, are still largely unknown.

We compared root growth responses of the halophyteSchrenkiella parvulawith its glycophytic relative speciesArabidopsis thalianaunder salt stress and performed transcriptomic analysis ofS.\uffc2\uffa0parvularoots to identify possible gene regulatory networks underlying their physiological responses.

Schrenkiella parvularoots do not avoid salt and experience less growth inhibition under salt stress. Salt\uffe2\uff80\uff90induced abscisic acid levels were higher inS.\uffc2\uffa0parvularoots compared with Arabidopsis. Root transcriptomic analysis ofS.\uffc2\uffa0parvularevealed the induction of sugar transporters and genes regulating cell expansion and suberization under salt stress.14C\uffe2\uff80\uff90labeled carbon partitioning analyses showed thatS.\uffc2\uffa0parvulacontinued allocating carbon to roots from shoots under salt stress while carbon barely allocated to Arabidopsis roots. Further physiological investigation revealed thatS.\uffc2\uffa0parvularoots maintained root cell expansion and enhanced suberization under severe salt stress.

In summary, roots ofS.\uffc2\uffa0parvuladeploy multiple physiological and developmental adjustments under salt stress to maintain growth, providing new avenues to improve salt tolerance of plants using root\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific strategies.

Understanding the composition and activation of multicomponent receptor complexes is a challenge in biology. To address this, we developed a synthetic approach based on nanobodies to drive assembly and activation of cell surface receptors and apply the concept by manipulating receptors that govern plant symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. We show that the Lotus japonicus Nod factor receptors NFR1 and NFR5 constitute the core receptor complex initiating the cortical root nodule organogenesis program as well as the epidermal program controlling infection. We find that organogenesis signaling is mediated by the intracellular kinase domains whereas infection requires functional ectodomains. Finally, we identify evolutionarily distant barley receptors that activate root nodule organogenesis, which could enable engineering of biological nitrogen-fixation into cereals. Owing to its detrimental effect on plant growth, salinity is an increasing worldwide problem for agriculture. To understand the molecular mechanisms activated in response to salt in Arabidopsis thaliana, we investigated the Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like family, which contains sensors that were previously shown to be involved in sensing the structural integrity of the cell walls. We found that herk1 the1-4 double mutants, lacking the function of HERKULES1 (HERK1) and combined with a gain-of-function allele of THESEUS1 (THE1), strongly respond to salt application, resulting in an intense activation of stress responses, similarly to plants lacking FERONIA (FER) function. We report that salt triggers pectin methyl esterase (PME) activation and show its requirement for the activation of several salt-dependent responses. Because chemical inhibition of PMEs alleviates these salt-induced responses, we hypothesize a model in which salt directly leads to cell wall modifications through the activation of PMEs. Responses to salt partly require the functionality of FER alone or HERK1/THE1 to attenuate salt effects, highlighting the complexity of the salt-sensing mechanisms that rely on cell wall integrity.Receptors that distinguish the multitude of microbes surrounding plants in the environment enable dynamic responses to the biotic and abiotic conditions encountered. In this study, we identify and characterise a glycan receptor kinase, EPR3a, closely related to the exopolysaccharide receptor EPR3. Epr3a is up-regulated in roots colonised by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and is able to bind glucans with a branching pattern characteristic of surface-exposed fungal glucans. Expression studies with cellular resolution show localised activation of the Epr3a promoter in cortical root cells containing arbuscules. Fungal infection and intracellular arbuscule formation are reduced in epr3a mutants. In vitro, the EPR3a ectodomain binds cell wall glucans in affinity gel electrophoresis assays. In microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays, rhizobial exopolysaccharide binding is detected with affinities comparable to those observed for EPR3, and both EPR3a and EPR3 bind a well-defined \uffce\uffb2-1,3/\uffce\uffb2-1,6 decasaccharide derived from exopolysaccharides of endophytic and pathogenic fungi. Both EPR3a and EPR3 function in the intracellular accommodation of microbes. However, contrasting expression patterns and divergent ligand affinities result in distinct functions in AM colonisation and rhizobial infection in Lotus japonicus. The presence of Epr3a and Epr3 genes in both eudicot and monocot plant genomes suggest a conserved function of these receptor kinases in glycan perception.Tomato plants can establish symbiotic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) able to promote plant nutrition and prime systemic plant defenses against pathogens attack; the mechanism involved is known as mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR). However, studies on the effect of AMF on viral infection, still limited and not conclusive, indicate that AMF colonization may have a detrimental effect on plant defenses against viruses, so that the term \uffe2\uff80\uff9cmycorrhiza-induced susceptibility\uffe2\uff80\uff9d (MIS) has been proposed for these cases. To expand the case studies to a not yet tested viral family, that is, Bromoviridae, we investigated the effect of the colonization by the AMF Funneliformis mosseae on cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection in tomato by phenotypic, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional analyses. Our results showed that the establishment of a functional AM symbiosis is able to limit symptoms development. Physiological and transcriptomic data highlighted that AMF mitigates the drastic downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes and the reduction of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate caused by CMV infection. In parallel, an increase of salicylic acid level and a modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes, toward a limitation of ROS accumulation, was specifically observed in CMV-infected mycorrhizal plants. Overall, our data indicate that the AM symbiosis influences the development of CMV infection in tomato plants and exerts a priming effect able to enhance tolerance to viral infection.

", "keywords": ["0301 basic medicine", "plant\u2013virus interaction", "arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis", "Microbiology", "Cucumovirus", "Plant Roots", "Article", "03 medical and health sciences", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Mycorrhizae", "arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis", " cucumber mosaic virus", " Funneliformis mosseae", " gene expression", " priming tolerance", " plant-virus interaction", " RNA sequencing", " Solanum lycopersicum L.", "Photosynthesis", "Symbiosis", "Funneliformis mosseae", "Plant Diseases", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "cucumber mosaic virus", "Fungi", "RNA sequencing", "Carbon Dioxide", "QR1-502", "3. Good health", "Solanum lycopersicum L.", "gene expression", "arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis; cucumber mosaic virus; Funneliformis mosseae; gene expression; priming tolerance; plant-virus interaction; RNA sequencing; Solanum lycopersicum L.", "priming tolerance", "Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis; Cucumber mosaic virus; Funneliformis mosseae; Gene expression; Plant-virus interaction; Priming tolerance; RNA sequencing; Solanum lycopersicum L", "Reactive Oxygen Species"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12/6/675/pdf"}, {"href": "https://iris.cnr.it/bitstream/20.500.14243/410166/1/prod_424799-doc_151509.pdf"}, {"href": "https://iris.unito.it/bitstream/2318/1765477/1/Miozzi%20et%20al%20Viruses%202020.pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12/6/675/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/v12060675"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Viruses", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/v12060675", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/v12060675", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/v12060675"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-06-22T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3390/cells9092026", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:21:05Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-09-03", "title": "Chemical Genetics Approach Identifies Abnormal Inflorescence Meristem 1 as a Putative Target of a Novel Sulfonamide That Protects Catalase2-Deficient Arabidopsis against Photorespiratory Stress", "description": "

Alterations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels have a profound impact on numerous signaling cascades orchestrating plant growth, development, and stress signaling, including programmed cell death. To expand the repertoire of known molecular mechanisms implicated in H2O2 signaling, we performed a forward chemical screen to identify small molecules that could alleviate the photorespiratory-induced cell death phenotype of Arabidopsisthaliana mutants lacking H2O2-scavenging capacity by peroxisomal catalase2. Here, we report the characterization of pakerine, an m-sulfamoyl benzamide from the sulfonamide family. Pakerine alleviates the cell death phenotype of cat2 mutants exposed to photorespiration-promoting conditions and delays dark-induced senescence in wild-type Arabidopsis leaves. By using a combination of transcriptomics, metabolomics, and affinity purification, we identified abnormal inflorescence meristem 1 (AIM1) as a putative protein target of pakerine. AIM1 is a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase involved in fatty acid \u03b2-oxidation that contributes to jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis. Whereas intact JA biosynthesis was not required for pakerine bioactivity, our results point toward a role for \u03b2-oxidation-dependent SA production in the execution of H2O2-mediated cell death.

", "keywords": ["EXPRESSION", "0106 biological sciences", "0301 basic medicine", "photorespiration", "Cell Respiration", "Meristem", "Arabidopsis", "Cyclopentanes", "catalase2-deficient Arabidopsis", "01 natural sciences", "Article", "ACTIVATION", "catalase2-deficient Arabidopsis", "03 medical and health sciences", "HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE", "Hydroponics", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Multienzyme Complexes", "Stress", " Physiological", "Plant Cells", "SALICYLIC-ACID BIOSYNTHESIS", "H2O2 signaling", "Medicine and Health Sciences", "abnormal inflorescence meristem 1", "LEAF SENESCENCE", "Oxylipins", "Photosynthesis", "2. Zero hunger", "QH573-671", "Cell Death", "Arabidopsis Proteins", "Gene Expression Profiling", "Biology and Life Sciences", "Computational Biology", "Hydrogen Peroxide", "ARABIDOPSIS", "MULTIFUNCTIONAL PROTEIN", "3. Good health", "PEROXISOMAL BETA-OXIDATION", "Plant Leaves", "chemical genetics", "CELL-DEATH", "PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE", "Seeds", "Cytology", "Salicylic Acid", "H2O2 signaling", "Signal Transduction"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/9/2026/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9092026"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Cells", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/cells9092026", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/cells9092026", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/cells9092026"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-09-02T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3390/genes11091011", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:21:07Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-08-27", "title": "Phenotyping in Arabidopsis and Crops\u2014Are We Addressing the Same Traits? A Case Study in Tomato", "description": "

The convenient model Arabidopsis thaliana has allowed tremendous advances in plant genetics and physiology, in spite of only being a weed. It has also unveiled the main molecular networks governing, among others, abiotic stress responses. Through the use of the latest genomic tools, Arabidopsis research is nowadays being translated to agronomically interesting crop models such as tomato, but at a lagging pace. Knowledge transfer has been hindered by invariable differences in plant architecture and behaviour, as well as the divergent direct objectives of research in Arabidopsis vs. crops compromise transferability. In this sense, phenotype translation is still a very complex matter. Here, we point out the challenges of \uffe2\uff80\uff9ctranslational phenotyping\uffe2\uff80\uff9d in the case study of drought stress phenotyping in Arabidopsis and tomato. After briefly defining and describing drought stress and survival strategies, we compare drought stress protocols and phenotyping techniques most commonly used in the two species, and discuss their potential to gain insights, which are truly transferable between species. This review is intended to be a starting point for discussion about translational phenotyping approaches among plant scientists, and provides a useful compendium of methods and techniques used in modern phenotyping for this specific plant pair as a case study.

", "keywords": ["Crops", " Agricultural", "0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "9. Industry and infrastructure", "Arabidopsis", "Review", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "Droughts", "03 medical and health sciences", "Phenotype", "Solanum lycopersicum", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Stress", " Physiological", "Arabidopsis; tomato; phenotyping; drought stress; translational phenotyping; osmotic stress; Dehydration; Arabidopsis thaliana; Solanum lycopersicum; Lycopersicon esculentum", "Plant Proteins"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://air.unimi.it/bitstream/2434/898415/2/genes-11-01011-v3.pdf"}, {"href": "https://iris.unito.it/bitstream/2318/1757296/1/genes-11-01011-v3.pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/9/1011/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11091011"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Genes", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/genes11091011", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/genes11091011", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/genes11091011"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-08-27T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3390/ijms26020673", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:21:09Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-01-15", "title": "Biofilm Formation, Modulation, and Transcriptomic Regulation Under Stress Conditions in Halomicronema sp.", "description": "

In nature, bacteria often form heterogeneous communities enclosed in a complex matrix known as biofilms. This extracellular matrix, produced by the microorganisms themselves, serves as the first barrier between the cells and the environment. It is composed mainly of water, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), lipids, proteins, and DNA. Cyanobacteria form biofilms and have unique characteristics such as oxygenic photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, excellent adaptability to various abiotic stress conditions, and the ability to secrete a variety of metabolites and hormones. This work focused on the characterization of the cyanobacterium Halomicronema sp. strain isolated from a brackish environment. This study included microscopic imaging, determination of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, identification of chemicals interfering with biofilm formation, and transcriptomic analysis by RNA sequencing and real-time PCR. Gene expression analysis was centered on genes related to the production of EPS and biofilm-related transcription factors. This study led to the identification of wza1 and wzt as EPS biomarkers and luxR-05665, along with genes belonging to the TetR/AcrR and LysR families, as potential biomarkers useful for studying and monitoring biofilm formation under different environmental conditions. Moreover, this work revealed that Halomicronema sp. can grow even in the presence of strong abiotic stresses, such as high salt, and has good antioxidant properties.

", "keywords": ["570", "Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix", "Gene Expression Profiling", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Bacterial", "stress resilience", "Cyanobacteria", "cyanobacteria", "Article", "transcriptomics", "Bacterial Proteins", "Halomicronema sp", "Stress", " Physiological", "Biofilms", "biofilm formation", "EPS", "Transcriptome"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Marina Caldara, Henk Bolhuis, Marta Marmiroli, Nelson Marmiroli,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020673"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/International%20Journal%20of%20Molecular%20Sciences", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/ijms26020673", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/ijms26020673", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/ijms26020673"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-01-15T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "11381/3018373", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:25:05Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-01-15", "title": "Biofilm Formation, Modulation, and Transcriptomic Regulation Under Stress Conditions in Halomicronema sp.", "description": "

In nature, bacteria often form heterogeneous communities enclosed in a complex matrix known as biofilms. This extracellular matrix, produced by the microorganisms themselves, serves as the first barrier between the cells and the environment. It is composed mainly of water, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), lipids, proteins, and DNA. Cyanobacteria form biofilms and have unique characteristics such as oxygenic photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, excellent adaptability to various abiotic stress conditions, and the ability to secrete a variety of metabolites and hormones. This work focused on the characterization of the cyanobacterium Halomicronema sp. strain isolated from a brackish environment. This study included microscopic imaging, determination of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, identification of chemicals interfering with biofilm formation, and transcriptomic analysis by RNA sequencing and real-time PCR. Gene expression analysis was centered on genes related to the production of EPS and biofilm-related transcription factors. This study led to the identification of wza1 and wzt as EPS biomarkers and luxR-05665, along with genes belonging to the TetR/AcrR and LysR families, as potential biomarkers useful for studying and monitoring biofilm formation under different environmental conditions. Moreover, this work revealed that Halomicronema sp. can grow even in the presence of strong abiotic stresses, such as high salt, and has good antioxidant properties.

", "keywords": ["570", "Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix", "Gene Expression Profiling", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Bacterial", "stress resilience", "Cyanobacteria", "cyanobacteria", "Article", "transcriptomics", "Bacterial Proteins", "Halomicronema sp", "Stress", " Physiological", "Biofilms", "biofilm formation", "EPS", "Transcriptome"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/11381/3018373"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/International%20Journal%20of%20Molecular%20Sciences", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "11381/3018373", "name": "item", "description": "11381/3018373", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/11381/3018373"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-01-15T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10182/16842", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:24:43Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-05-18", "title": "A glycan receptor kinase facilitates intracellular accommodation of arbuscular mycorrhiza and symbiotic rhizobia in the legume Lotus japonicus", "description": "

Receptors that distinguish the multitude of microbes surrounding plants in the environment enable dynamic responses to the biotic and abiotic conditions encountered. In this study, we identify and characterise a glycan receptor kinase, EPR3a, closely related to the exopolysaccharide receptor EPR3. Epr3a is up-regulated in roots colonised by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and is able to bind glucans with a branching pattern characteristic of surface-exposed fungal glucans. Expression studies with cellular resolution show localised activation of the Epr3a promoter in cortical root cells containing arbuscules. Fungal infection and intracellular arbuscule formation are reduced in epr3a mutants. In vitro, the EPR3a ectodomain binds cell wall glucans in affinity gel electrophoresis assays. In microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays, rhizobial exopolysaccharide binding is detected with affinities comparable to those observed for EPR3, and both EPR3a and EPR3 bind a well-defined \uffce\uffb2-1,3/\uffce\uffb2-1,6 decasaccharide derived from exopolysaccharides of endophytic and pathogenic fungi. Both EPR3a and EPR3 function in the intracellular accommodation of microbes. However, contrasting expression patterns and divergent ligand affinities result in distinct functions in AM colonisation and rhizobial infection in Lotus japonicus. The presence of Epr3a and Epr3 genes in both eudicot and monocot plant genomes suggest a conserved function of these receptor kinases in glycan perception.Plants adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions by adjusting their metabolism and gene expression to maintain fitness1. In legumes, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by balancing nitrogen acquired from soil resources with nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria in root nodules2\uffe2\uff80\uff938. Here we show that zinc, an essential plant micronutrient, acts as an intracellular second messenger that connects environmental changes to transcription factor control of metabolic activity in root nodules. We identify a transcriptional regulator, FIXATION UNDER NITRATE (FUN), which acts as a sensor, with zinc controlling the transition between an inactive filamentous megastructure and an active transcriptional regulator. Lower zinc concentrations in the nodule, which we show occur in response to higher levels of soil nitrate, dissociates the filament and activates FUN. FUN then directly targets multiple pathways to initiate breakdown of the nodule. The zinc-dependent filamentation mechanism thus establishes a concentration readout to adapt nodule function to the environmental nitrogen conditions. In a wider perspective, these results have implications for understanding the roles of metal ions in integration of environmental signals with plant development and optimizing delivery of fixed nitrogen in legume crops.Multicellular organisms control interactions with their environment through the development of specialized barriers in specific cell types. A conserved barrier in plant roots is the endodermal Casparian strip (CS). The CS is made of polymerized lignin and forms a ring-like structure that seals the apoplastic space between the endodermal cells. Most angiosperms also have another root cell type, the exodermis, that is reported to form a barrier. Our understanding of exodermal developmental and molecular regulation, as well as function, is limited as this cell type is absent from the model speciesArabidopsis thaliana. Using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a model system we demonstrate that in this species, the exodermis does not form a CS. Instead, it forms a polar lignin cap with an equivalent barrier function to the endodermal CS. We demonstrate that although endodermal regulators are conserved between Arabidopsis and tomato, exodermal differentiation occurs by a distinct regulatory pathway involving theSlSCZandSlEXO1transcription factors. Although the exodermis and endodermis both produce barriers that restrict mineral ion uptake, they have unique and overlapping roles in their selectivity. Whether conservation and similarities between the endodermis and exodermis exist in other species remains to be determined. Nonetheless, in tomato, these distinct lignin structures have a convergent function with different genetic regulations.IRON\uffe2\uff80\uff90REGULATED TRANSPORTER1 (IRT1) is the root high\uffe2\uff80\uff90affinity ferrous iron (Fe) uptake system and indispensable for the completion of the life cycle of Arabidopsis thaliana without vigorous Fe supplementation. Here we provide evidence supporting a second role of IRT1 in root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot partitioning of Fe. We show that irt1 mutants overaccumulate Fe in roots, most prominently in the cortex of the differentiation zone in irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, compared to the wild type. Shoots of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902 are severely Fe\uffe2\uff80\uff90deficient according to Fe content and marker transcripts, as expected. We generated irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902 lines producing IRT1 mutant variants carrying single amino\uffe2\uff80\uff90acid substitutions of key residues in transmembrane helices IV and V, Ser206 and His232, which are required for transport activity in yeast. Root short\uffe2\uff80\uff90term 55Fe uptake rates were uninformative concerning IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90mediated transport. Overall irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff90like concentrations of the secondary substrate Mn suggested that the transgenic Arabidopsis lines also remain incapable of IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90mediated root Fe uptake. Yet, IRT1S206A partially complements rosette dwarfing and leaf chlorosis of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, as well as root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot Fe partitioning and gene expression defects of irt1\uffe2\uff80\uff902, all of which are fully complemented by wild\uffe2\uff80\uff90type IRT1. Taken together, these results suggest a regulatory function for IRT1 in root\uffe2\uff80\uff90to\uffe2\uff80\uff90shoot Fe partitioning that does not require Fe transport activity of IRT1. Among the genes of which transcript levels are partially dependent on IRT1, we identify MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN10, MYB DOMAIN PROTEIN72 and NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE4 as candidates for effecting IRT1\uffe2\uff80\uff90dependent Fe mobilization in roots. Understanding the biological functions of IRT1 will help to improve Fe nutrition and the nutritional quality of agricultural crops.Microbial soil habitats are characterized by rapid shifts in substrate and nutrient availabilities, as well as chemical and physical parameters. One such parameter that can vary in soil is oxygen; thus, microbial survival is dependent on adaptation to this substrate. To better understand the metabolic abilities and adaptive strategies to oxygen-deprived environments, we combined genomics with transcriptomics of a model organism, Acidobacterium capsulatum, to explore the effect of decreasing, environmentally relevant oxygen concentrations. The decrease from 10 to 0.1\uffc2\uffa0\uffc2\uffb5M oxygen (3.6 to 0.036 pO2% present atmospheric level, respectively) caused the upregulation of the transcription of genes involved in signal transduction mechanisms, energy production and conversion and secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism based on clusters of orthologous group categories. Contrary to established observations for aerobic metabolism, key genes in oxidative stress response were significantly upregulated at lower oxygen concentrations, presumably due to an NADH/NAD+ redox ratio imbalance as the cells transitioned into nanoxia. Furthermore, A. capsulatum adapted to nanoxia by inducing a respiro-fermentative metabolism and rerouting fluxes of its central carbon and energy pathways to adapt to high NADH/NAD+ redox ratios. Our results reveal physiological features and metabolic capabilities that allowed A. capsulatum to adapt to oxygen-limited conditions, which could expand into other environmentally relevant soil strains.

Alterations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels have a profound impact on numerous signaling cascades orchestrating plant growth, development, and stress signaling, including programmed cell death. To expand the repertoire of known molecular mechanisms implicated in H2O2 signaling, we performed a forward chemical screen to identify small molecules that could alleviate the photorespiratory-induced cell death phenotype of Arabidopsisthaliana mutants lacking H2O2-scavenging capacity by peroxisomal catalase2. Here, we report the characterization of pakerine, an m-sulfamoyl benzamide from the sulfonamide family. Pakerine alleviates the cell death phenotype of cat2 mutants exposed to photorespiration-promoting conditions and delays dark-induced senescence in wild-type Arabidopsis leaves. By using a combination of transcriptomics, metabolomics, and affinity purification, we identified abnormal inflorescence meristem 1 (AIM1) as a putative protein target of pakerine. AIM1 is a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase involved in fatty acid \u03b2-oxidation that contributes to jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis. Whereas intact JA biosynthesis was not required for pakerine bioactivity, our results point toward a role for \u03b2-oxidation-dependent SA production in the execution of H2O2-mediated cell death.

", "keywords": ["EXPRESSION", "0106 biological sciences", "0301 basic medicine", "photorespiration", "Cell Respiration", "Meristem", "Arabidopsis", "Cyclopentanes", "catalase2-deficient Arabidopsis", "01 natural sciences", "Article", "ACTIVATION", "catalase2-deficient Arabidopsis", "03 medical and health sciences", "HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE", "Hydroponics", "Gene Expression Regulation", " Plant", "Multienzyme Complexes", "Stress", " Physiological", "Plant Cells", "SALICYLIC-ACID BIOSYNTHESIS", "H2O2 signaling", "Medicine and Health Sciences", "abnormal inflorescence meristem 1", "LEAF SENESCENCE", "Oxylipins", "Photosynthesis", "2. Zero hunger", "QH573-671", "Cell Death", "Arabidopsis Proteins", "Gene Expression Profiling", "Biology and Life Sciences", "Computational Biology", "Hydrogen Peroxide", "ARABIDOPSIS", "MULTIFUNCTIONAL PROTEIN", "3. Good health", "PEROXISOMAL BETA-OXIDATION", "Plant Leaves", "chemical genetics", "CELL-DEATH", "PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE", "Seeds", "Cytology", "Salicylic Acid", "H2O2 signaling", "Signal Transduction"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/9/2026/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/1854/LU-8674409"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Cells", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "1854/LU-8674409", "name": "item", "description": "1854/LU-8674409", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/1854/LU-8674409"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-09-02T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "20.500.11850/607834", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-02T16:25:31Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-03-13", "title": "Effective root responses to salinity stress include maintained cell expansion and carbon allocation", "description": "Summary

Acclimation of root growth is vital for plants to survive salt stress. Halophytes are great examples of plants that thrive even under severe salinity, but their salt tolerance mechanisms, especially those mediated by root responses, are still largely unknown.

We compared root growth responses of the halophyte Schrenkiella parvula with its glycophytic relative species Arabidopsis thaliana under salt stress and performed transcriptomic analysis of S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula roots to identify possible gene regulatory networks underlying their physiological responses.

Schrenkiella parvula roots do not avoid salt and experience less growth inhibition under salt stress. Salt\uffe2\uff80\uff90induced abscisic acid levels were higher in S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula roots compared with Arabidopsis. Root transcriptomic analysis of S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula revealed the induction of sugar transporters and genes regulating cell expansion and suberization under salt stress. 14 C\uffe2\uff80\uff90labeled carbon partitioning analyses showed that S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula continued allocating carbon to roots from shoots under salt stress while carbon barely allocated to Arabidopsis roots. Further physiological investigation revealed that S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula roots maintained root cell expansion and enhanced suberization under severe salt stress.

In summary, roots of S.\uffc2\uffa0parvula deploy multiple physiological and developmental adjustments under salt stress to maintain growth, providing new avenues to improve salt tolerance of plants using root\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific strategies.

Copper (Cu) is a cofactor of around 300 Arabidopsis proteins, including photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron transfer chain enzymes critical for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and carbon fixation. Plant acclimation to Cu deficiency requires the transcription factor SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE7 (SPL7). We report that in the wild type (WT) and in the spl7-1 mutant, respiratory electron flux via Cu-dependent cytochrome c oxidase is unaffected under both normal and low-Cu cultivation conditions. Supplementing Cu-deficient medium with exogenous sugar stimulated growth of the WT, but not of spl7 mutants. Instead, these mutants accumulated carbohydrates, including the signaling sugar trehalose 6-phosphate, as well as ATP and NADH, even under normal Cu supply and without sugar supplementation. Delayed spl7-1 development was in agreement with its attenuated sugar responsiveness. Functional TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN and SNF1-RELATED KINASE1 signaling in spl7-1 argued against fundamental defects in these energy-signaling hubs. Sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitates combined with transcriptome profiling identified direct targets of SPL7-mediated positive regulation, including Fe SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE1 (FSD1), COPPER-DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (CITF1), and the uncharacterized bHLH23 (CITF2), as well as an enriched upstream GTACTRC motif. In summary, transducing energy availability into growth and reproductive development requires the function of SPL7. Our results could help increase crop yields, especially on Cu-deficient soils.Copper (Cu) is a cofactor of around 300 Arabidopsis proteins, including photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron transfer chain enzymes critical for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and carbon fixation. Plant acclimation to Cu deficiency requires the transcription factor SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE7 (SPL7). We report that in the wild type (WT) and in the spl7-1 mutant, respiratory electron flux via Cu-dependent cytochrome c oxidase is unaffected under both normal and low-Cu cultivation conditions. Supplementing Cu-deficient medium with exogenous sugar stimulated growth of the WT, but not of spl7 mutants. Instead, these mutants accumulated carbohydrates, including the signaling sugar trehalose 6-phosphate, as well as ATP and NADH, even under normal Cu supply and without sugar supplementation. Delayed spl7-1 development was in agreement with its attenuated sugar responsiveness. Functional TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN and SNF1-RELATED KINASE1 signaling in spl7-1 argued against fundamental defects in these energy-signaling hubs. Sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitates combined with transcriptome profiling identified direct targets of SPL7-mediated positive regulation, including Fe SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE1 (FSD1), COPPER-DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 (CITF1), and the uncharacterized bHLH23 (CITF2), as well as an enriched upstream GTACTRC motif. In summary, transducing energy availability into growth and reproductive development requires the function of SPL7. Our results could help increase crop yields, especially on Cu-deficient soils.