Genetius

The study introduced charge-altering mutations into the N‑terminal region of Lhcb2 in Arabidopsis thaliana lacking native Lhcb2 to assess how intrinsic charge affects LHCII phosphorylation, state‑transition efficiency, and PSI‑LHCII complex formation. The R2E mutation drastically reduced Lhcb1/2 phosphorylation, impaired state transitions, and prevented PSI‑LHCII assembly, whereas the Q9E mutation had no measurable impact, and neither mutation altered thylakoid ultrastructure. Residual state transitions in the R2E line suggest that other Stn7 substrates can partially compensate for the loss of Lhcb2 phosphorylation.

The study identifies members of the REMORIN protein family as inhibitors of plasma membrane H⁺‑ATPases, leading to extracellular pH alkalinization that modulates cell surface processes such as steroid hormone signaling and coordinates root developmental transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana. This inhibition represents an ancient mechanism predating root evolution, suggesting that extracellular pH patterning has shaped plant morphogenesis.

The study reveals that salt stress dynamically regulates REMORIN family genes, with REM1.2 rapidly relocalizing into static plasma membrane nanodomains that co‑localize with the actin-nucleating protein FORMIN 6. Overexpression of REM1.2 impairs early salt signaling and cell morphological adaptations, leading to heightened salt sensitivity, linking REMORIN nanodomains to both biotic and abiotic signaling pathways.

Parallel quantitative proteome and transcriptome time‑course profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that circadian clock genes, especially the morning‑expressed LHY/CCA1 module, exert extensive control over diel proteome rhythmicity, far exceeding their impact on the transcriptome. This control creates a bimodal phase distribution of rhythmic proteins that is lost in clock‑deficient mutants, indicating pervasive post‑translational regulation of gene expression by the circadian system.

The study investigates how division plane orientation is established in cambium stem cells (CSCs) of Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing that orientation is independent of spindle positioning and the preprophase band (PPB) but relies on the cortical division zone (CDZ) and POK kinesins. Using microtubule imaging and PPB-deficient mutants, the authors demonstrate that CSCs consistently divide along their longest axis through CDZ-mediated mechanisms.

The study examined how DNA methylation influences cold stress priming in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing that primed plants exhibit distinct gene expression and methylation patterns compared to non-primed plants. DNA methylation mutants, especially met1 lacking CG methylation, showed altered cold memory and misregulation of the CBF gene cluster, indicating that methylation ensures transcriptional precision during stress recall.

The study examined how increased stomatal density and transpiration in the Arabidopsis thaliana epf1 epf2 double mutant affect root hydraulic properties, finding that despite higher water loss the mutant maintains leaf water status and displays reduced root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) without changes in aquaporin expression. Under PEG‑induced osmotic stress, the wild type showed lower Lpr than the mutant, suggesting that elevated xylem tension acts as a long‑distance signal coordinating reductions in both stomatal aperture and root water transport.

The study characterizes the phytolongin PHYL2.1, a longin domain protein lacking a SNARE motif, localized to the endoplasmic reticulum in Arabidopsis thaliana. Loss‑of‑function mutants (Atphyl2.1‑1 and Atphyl2.1‑2) display reduced root cell division, altered meristem architecture, and defective cell plate formation involving the SNARE KNOLLE, leading to shorter roots.

The study expressed a Brachypodium phenylalanine/tyrosine ammonia‑lyase (PTAL) in Arabidopsis thaliana to create plants that initiate phenylpropanoid biosynthesis from phenylalanine, tyrosine, or both. While the engineered pathway did not affect growth in wild‑type plants, tyrosine‑specific initiation rescued the lethal phenotype of c4h mutants but caused developmental defects due to accumulation of cis‑cinnamic acid, highlighting the evolutionary importance of the canonical phenylalanine‑derived route.

The study demonstrates that ELF4 is essential for recruiting ELF3 into hypocotyl nuclei at dusk, a process that enhances ELF3’s ability to repress target gene expression and limit hypocotyl elongation, especially under short‑day conditions. Subnuclear localization patterns of ELF3 differ between hypocotyl and root tissues, indicating tissue‑specific temporal regulation by ELF4.