Articles tagged with Plant Cells
Scientists at Virginia Tech and Purdue University have identified a distinct transporter, NUP1, used by tobacco plant cells for nicotine metabolism. This discovery provides new insight into the production of medicinal alkaloid compounds and could enable bioengineering of medicinal plants to produce optimal amounts.
Researchers have identified a new protein called Constitutive Differential Growth1 (CDG1) that plays a crucial role in the brassinosteroid-activated pathway. CDG1 adds a phosphate to BSU1, leading to deactivation of BIN2 and promoting gene activity.
Researchers discovered a critical component in plant cell growth, revealing how microtubules are organized into scaffolds. The CLASP protein plays a key role, modulating geometric constraints and influencing cell division.
Researchers found that plants like Arabidopsis thaliana can speed up DNA duplication, leading to increased growth and seed production after being grazed. This process allows plants to increase their DNA content, protein production, and cell size, ultimately boosting their reproductive success.
A research group has discovered a genetic mechanism that controls the development of wood cells in plant roots, allowing for potential engineering of more wood-producing plants. The study, published in Current Biology, sheds light on the formation of water-transporting tissues and their role in plant colonization of land.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University developed techniques to manipulate root development functionality, enabling plants to adapt to hostile environments. By over-expressing a specific gene, they controlled lateral root growth and demonstrated its impact on plant hormone signals.
A new study has identified DUO1, a genetic hierarchy that governs sperm cell production and fertility in flowering plants. The research found that DUO1 acts as a master switch to ensure twin fertile sperm cells are made in each pollen grain.
Researchers identified a plant clock gene that works in human cells and vice versa, with similar function. The study suggests convergent evolution as the explanation for this phenomenon, highlighting the importance of maintaining accurate circadian rhythms in both plants and humans.
Researchers discovered a novel family of pores that transport sugar out of plant cells, enabling pathogenic bacteria and fungi to hijack the nutrient supply. This breakthrough allows for the development of new crop protection techniques and potential applications in diabetes research.
A recent study by Dr. Nan Yao and his team found that carbon nanotubes induced programmed cell death in plant cells, with the effect being dosage-dependent. The researchers discovered that only single-wall carbon nanotubes caused cell damage, while other types of particles did not.
Researchers have identified two essential genes that control the accumulation and detoxification of arsenic in plant cells, providing a promising basis for reducing arsenic levels in crops from polluted regions. By controlling these genes, plants can be developed to prevent toxic metal transfer, limiting entry into the food chain.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a single gene, UPBEAT1, that controls the balance of free radicals in plant roots, leading to faster growth and improved root establishment. This discovery could accelerate the development of biofuels and enhance carbon sequestration capabilities.
Researchers watched a fundamental process of cellular organization in living plant cells, where protein complexes create the microtubule cytoskeleton. They observed that these complexes are distributed at the cell membrane and interact with other microtubules to organize the cell shape and structure.
A naturally occurring variant of cassava has been found to accumulate high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, offering a potential solution to vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. Transgenic approaches can also be used to increase the enzyme phytoene synthase, leading to increased carotenoid synthesis and biofortification of co...
A team of scientists at TUM has discovered a new protein crucial for the formation of plant cell vacuoles, which store vital substances like proteins and pigments. The protein, known as a 'splitting protein', plays a key role in initiating metabolic processes and assigning tasks to proteins.
Researchers found that a new apple variety, Grand Gala, grows larger due to endoreduplication, where cells make copies of DNA but don't divide. The apples are about 38% heavier and have a diameter 15% larger than regular Galas.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a complex sequence of events that create distinction between protoxylem and metaxylem cells. MicroRNA 165/6 moves out from its source cells to dissolve target messenger RNAs, leading to specific cell types developing in plants.
Researchers have discovered that microRNAs can move from one cell to another, influencing the development of plant tissues. This mobility allows them to regulate gene expression and play an important role in sharpening the boundaries between different plant tissues.
A new study has discovered that the 'vegetable lamb' plant contains substances with promise as treatments for osteoporosis. The plant's compounds blocked the formation of bone-destroying osteoclasts in up to 97% of laboratory cultures without harming other cells.
Scientists have discovered how plants form their first roots by identifying key genes and hormones involved in the process. The discovery of transcription factor MONOPTEROS and its role in activating genes TMO5 and TMO7 could lead to breeding plants with improved root systems.
A single layer of cells controls leaf size, with epidermal cells influencing overall size and cell division rates. Epidermal cells also affect the number of cells produced in the mesophyll layer.
Researchers found that a plant steroid controls the balance between two genes in rice, regulating leaf angle and cell growth. The discovery has important implications for understanding how to manipulate crop growth and yield, and could lead to better engineering of crops to feed a growing population.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has launched 'Teaching Tools in Plant Biology' in The Plant Cell, a monthly online feature with regularly updated sets of teaching materials on important themes in plant biology. Peer-reviewed tools are designed for upper-level undergraduates but can also be adapted for introductory courses.
Researchers studied polyploidy's effects on cell division in plants, finding that some cells can tolerate aneuploidy without detrimental consequences. The study provides new insights into how genetic changes can lead to evolutionary change and affect plant fitness.
Researchers found that bees prefer conical-celled petals with a rough surface, allowing for better grip and easier nectar extraction. This adaptation enables bees to efficiently collect nectar from flowers in windy or wet conditions.
Researchers found that ordinary plant cells can replace lost organs and tissue without the need for stem cells, a function previously thought to be exclusive to stem cells. The study suggests that plants can regenerate without stem cells through a process of reprogramming.
Researchers found that nematodes disrupt plant PIN proteins and activate others to create 'feeding sites' where plants produce food for the worms. This discovery could lead to ways to thwart these parasites in crops.
Scientists have identified how nematodes trick plants into producing food for them by manipulating auxin transport. This discovery opens doors to developing environmentally friendly methods to counteract this phenomenon and protect crops from devastating nematode attacks.
Researchers found that honeybees reduce plant damage by 60-70% when present, even without pollination, due to the caterpillars' inability to distinguish between bees and predators. This discovery highlights the importance of indirect effects in food webs and may lead to a new biological control method for sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that PIN proteins are transported throughout the cell membrane and then endocytosed before being recycled and transported to the bottom of the cell. This mechanism allows plants to quickly adapt to changes in gravity, enabling new 'undersides' for roots and shoots.
Researchers at VIB have discovered a protein called ACR4 that triggers the formation of root offshoots in plants. This discovery can lead to more efficient agricultural practices, such as promoting or retarding root offshoot growth for better nutrient absorption and crop yields.
Researchers developed a novel approach to analyze cellular waste, discovering previously hidden relationships between genes and small molecules that can turn them off. The study found four new microRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana, boosting the total to 183.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have identified a region of virulence proteins that enables them to enter the cells of their hosts, suppressing the immune system and allowing infection to progress. The discovery may lead to new approaches for blocking infections by both oomycete and malaria parasites.
Researchers reconstruct cancer cell family tree using novel method, tracing developmental history and growth pattern. The technique enables estimation of cell depth, a key factor in understanding cancer behavior.
Scientists have identified two proteins, MSL9 and MSL10, responsible for mechanosensitive ion channel activities in plant roots. These proteins govern the flow of ions into and out of the cell in response to mechanical forces like gravity or pressure. The discovery sheds light on how plants respond to physical forces.
Scientists from Michigan State University have discovered a way to convert entire corn plants into biofuel using an enzyme found in cow stomachs. This breakthrough enables the production of affordable cellulosic ethanol by unlocking plant fibers previously considered unusable.
Scientists at University of Cambridge identified a signalling molecule governing plant circadian clock response to environmental changes. This discovery alters the current understanding of the circadian clock and may have significant implications for agriculture.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discover that cells at the margins of leaves and petals secrete a mobile growth signal controlling size. This signal is distinct from classical plant hormones, influencing leaf division until a certain threshold is reached.
A UCR plant cell biologist is studying how plant stem cells maintain their identity and specialize into different cell types. He will use two powerful methods, microgenomics and live imaging, to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind stem-cell regulation.
A team of scientists has discovered a key mechanism by which plant proteins, Scarecrow and Short-root, regulate water and nutrient uptake in plants. This complex system ensures that plants can control the amount of water and nutrients they take in through their roots, enabling them to thrive in various environments.
Research reveals two isoforms of glutamine synthetase determine major yield components in maize: kernel size and number. Nitrogen retranslocation dominates grain filling, improving nitrogen use efficiency and yields with reduced fertilizer inputs.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution for Science have developed a new technology to monitor glucose levels in leaf and root tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing extremely low sugar levels in roots. The breakthrough enables studies on sugar metabolism in plants and has potential applications for engineering higher crop yields.
Researchers have successfully bred flood-tolerant California rice by introducing submergence tolerance genes into the crop. This breakthrough allows rice plants to survive short-term floods, benefiting rice farmers globally.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a key role for the TOPLESS gene in plant development, enabling them to engineer plants to grow leaves or flowers instead of roots. This breakthrough allows for the manipulation of plant polarity later in embryogenesis, offering opportunities for agricultural improvements.
Plant biologist Jian Kang Zhu discovered that the high expression of osmotically responsive gene 1 (HOS1) acts as a biochemical gate to cut off the plant's cold protection. The HOS1 protein interacts with ICE1, kicking off a genetic cascade that provides cold protection proteins.
Researchers at VIB and VTT have developed a technology that increases the production of secondary metabolites in plant cells, allowing for more efficient pharmaceutical production. This innovation has led to the establishment of SoluCel Ltd., a company focused on bringing this technology platform to the market.
When plant tissue is eaten by insects, it causes a decrease in electric voltage, leading to a decrease in the cell's ability to react. The study found that calcium ion concentration in attacked leaves was smaller than in mechanically wounded leaves, potentially reducing the plant's defense.
Researchers found that over-expressing a specific proton pump in plant cells enhances auxin transport, leading to stronger root systems and increased foliage. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize agriculture worldwide, particularly for farmers in developing countries.
A team of researchers at Ames Laboratory is using $1.02 million in DOE funding to study the chemical processes within plant cells. By understanding metabolism, they aim to control the production of sugars, fibers, and waxes. The project involves developing new analytical instruments capable of identifying molecules in small quantities.
Plant cells use programmed cell death to protect against viruses, but this process must be controlled to avoid killing the plant. Researchers found that silencing a specific gene, BECLIN-1, helps regulate PCD and prevent infection from spreading.
Scientists at the Elhuyar Fundazioa Institute have identified a previously unknown mechanism for capturing nutrients in plants. The process, which uses micro-vesicles and internal compartments called vacuola, is independent of specific transporters in plasma membranes and can be triggered by saccharose.
Researchers found a pathway for cells to turn on genes and respond to singlet oxygen, a highly reactive substance that destroys biological molecules. This discovery could lead to modified plants with enhanced crop yields and improved bioenergy sources.
A team of researchers has identified 219 chemicals that affect plant growth due to gravity, leading to a better understanding of protein transportation and genetic signaling in plant cellular membranes. The discovery uses chemical genomics to study the link between endomembrane system components and gravitropic response.
Researchers at Purdue University found that a single cellular pathway produces the raw ingredients for thousands of compounds, including those with anticancer properties and fragrance. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about plant production and has implications for essential oil production.
Duke University researchers discovered that the Short-Root protein moves from one cell to another through an active process that recognizes signals, not just random diffusion. This finding provides a promising pathway for understanding how complex tissues develop from individual cells in both plants and animals.
A Purdue University study found that an antioxidant, glutathione, plays a critical role in protecting plants from toxic metals. Glutathione helps to minimize oxidative stress, allowing certain plants to thrive on metal-enriched soils.
The RAD51 gene is crucial for repairing DNA breaks during recombination, a process vital for sexual reproduction. In humans, defects in this process can cause infertility, miscarriages, or birth defects.
Researchers discovered that certain tobacco plant species are resistant to the cowpea mosaic virus. The virus spreads through a plant's vascular system, causing damage and death, but the specific channels it uses to transmit the virus were identified. This knowledge could lead to strategies for creating virus-resistant crops.
Purdue University researchers have developed a new field called 'ionomics,' which studies how genes regulate all the ions in a cell. This research holds promise for creating mineral-efficient plants that need little fertilizer, crops with better nutritional value, and plants that can remove contamination from the soil.
Researchers have identified a system in a mutant arabidopsis that signals cells to pause during stressful situations, allowing plants to regulate themselves and adjust before growth resumes. This discovery may lead to breeding plants with improved stress handling techniques and enhanced drought tolerance.