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Soy is on top as a high-quality plant protein

A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has evaluated a new method for determining protein quality. Soy protein was found to be a high-quality protein with a PDCAAS score of 1.00, comparable to animal-based proteins like eggs, dairy, and meat.

SourceSolae, LLC·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 6, 2011

Blossom end rot: Transport protein identified

A team of researchers has identified a protein that facilitates the radial transport of calcium ions from the root to the shoot, resolving a long-standing mystery. This breakthrough could lead to new strategies for preventing blossom end rot and other nutrient deficiencies in crops.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2011

Shoe strings and egg openers

Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify novel Rubisco activase in red algae that repairs useless proteins by opening active centers like a shoe string. This discovery could aid in designing more efficient plants and microorganisms that convert CO2 into valuable biomass.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateNov 8, 2011

The breathtaking dance of plants

Scientists at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered that plant pores, essential for life and carbon cycles, are evenly spaced due to a specific protein called SPEECHLESS. This protein's activity helps create an even spatial pattern during plant growth, allowing plants to breathe efficiently in different environments.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2011

What makes a plant a plant?

Researchers have identified a list of plant proteins essential for photosynthesis, known as the GreenCut, which is unique to plants and green algae but not found in non-photosynthetic organisms. The study suggests that these proteins play critical roles in regulating metabolism, DNA transcription, and other cellular processes.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 15, 2011

It's not easy being green

Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a signaling molecule called heme that drives expression of photosynthesis-related genes. This discovery may help plants overcome stress and improve growth, leading to increased crop yields and better plant health.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 17, 2011

Rejuvenating electron microscopy

Scientists at UCSD and colleagues create a new type of genetic tag visible under electron microscopy, enabling detailed three-dimensional images of individual cells. The breakthrough enhances electron microscopy capabilities, allowing researchers to visualize proteins in unprecedented detail.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 5, 2011

How do plants fight disease?

Researchers have discovered how plant pathogens attack soybeans by reducing isoflavone production. Plants respond with a surge in isoflavone production, sparking a counterattack from the pathogen. This complex interaction may hold key to developing effective disease treatments and preventing crop losses.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMar 28, 2011

Study analyzes role of PARP enzyme in eukaryotes

Researchers analyzed evolutionary history of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) superfamily in eukaryotes, finding ancestral proteins with diverse functions. The study suggests that the PARP superfamily is larger than previously documented and will grow as more eukaryotic genomes become available.

SourceOhio Supercomputer Center·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 8, 2011

Mildew-resistant and infertile

Researchers have discovered two proteins, Feronia and Nortia, crucial for both fertilization and resistance to powdery mildew infections in plants. These proteins, essential for seed formation, also facilitate fungal invasion, making it challenging to breed resistant yet fertile plants.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2010

Researchers could use plant's light switch to control cells

Researchers have created a novel 'on-off switch' using a plant's light-activated proteins to control cell functions. The blue-light switch has been successfully tested in yeast, mammalian cells and cultured rodent brain tissue, offering a new approach for controlling cell growth, death and delivering medication directly to diseased cells.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 31, 2010

100-million-year-old mistake provides snapshot of evolution

Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a 100-million-year-old gene mutation that led to differences in how plants produce male and female parts. The study found that the mutation, which occurred around 20 million years ago, creates a new role for one of the duplicate genes, enabling it to make both male and female parts.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2010

Red light regulates nectar secretion

Scientists have discovered that red light influences the regulation of nectar secretion in extrafloral nectaries of plants like Lima beans. This process involves the phytochrome protein and affects the binding of plant hormone jasmonic acid to isoleucine.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2010

Insecticides from genetically modified corn present in adjacent streams

A study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals that streams in the Midwest are contaminated with insecticidal proteins from genetically modified corn, which can persist in the landscape. The research highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of agricultural practices on freshwater ecosystems.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2010

Cellulose: Hard to digest, but full of energy

Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify CSI1 protein involved in cellulose synthesis, linked to improved cell wall digestibility and energy generation. The discovery aims to increase animal feed efficiency and tap into plant cell walls as a renewable energy source.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2010