The study reconstructed the evolutionary history of plant-specific GBF1-type ARF-GEFs by building phylogenetic trees and ortho‑synteny groups, identifying orthologs of AtGNOM and AtGNL1 across species. Functional analyses using transgenic Arabidopsis lines and yeast two‑hybrid assays revealed how duplication and loss events diversified GNOM paralogs, separating polar recycling from secretory trafficking functions.
The study introduced full-length SOC1 genes from maize and soybean, and a partial SOC1 gene from blueberry, into tomato plants under constitutive promoters. While VcSOC1K and ZmSOC1 accelerated flowering, all three transgenes increased fruit number per plant mainly by promoting branching, and transcriptomic profiling revealed alterations in flowering, growth, and stress‑response pathways.
Rapid population flux in bacterial spot xanthomonads during a transition in dominance between two genotypes in consecutive tomato production seasons and identification of a new species Xanthomonas oklahomensis sp. nov.
Authors: Johnson, B., Subedi, A., Damicone, J., Goss, E., Jones, J. B., Jibrin, M. O.
The study examined Xanthomonas strains causing bacterial spot on tomato in Oklahoma fields during 2018‑2019, revealing a shift from X. euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria (Xee) to X. euvesicatoria pv. perforans (Xep) race T4, which also expanded to pepper. Phenotypic assays and whole‑genome sequencing highlighted differences in race composition, host range, copper sensitivity, and effector repertoires, and identified a novel species, Xanthomonas oklahomensis.
The authors conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic and sequence analysis of the conserved YUCCA (YUC) gene family across representative plant lineages, classifying the family into six major classes and 41 subclasses. They linked YUC diversification to protein sequence conservation and spatial/temporal gene expression patterns, providing a framework for future functional investigations of auxin biosynthesis.
The study analyzes ancient maize genomes from a 500–600 BP Bolivian offering and compares them with 16 archaeological samples spanning 5,000 years and 226 modern Zea mays lines, revealing close genetic affinity to ancient Peruvian maize and increased diversity during Inca‑local interactions. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses of ovule development indicate targeted breeding for seed quality and yield, suggesting culturally driven selection was already established by the 15th century CE.
The study investigated how Arabidopsis thaliana SR protein kinases (AtSRPKs) regulate alternative RNA splicing by using chemical inhibitors of SRPK activity. Inhibition with SPHINX31 and SRPIN340 caused reduced root growth and loss of root hairs, accompanied by widespread changes in splicing and phosphorylation of genes linked to root development and other cellular processes. Multi‑omics analysis (transcriptomics and phosphoproteomics) revealed that AtSRPKs modulate diverse splicing factors and affect the splicing landscape of numerous pathways.
Using a barley pangenome of 76 genotypes and a pan‑transcriptome subset of 20, the study characterizes the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of CCT motif genes, uncovering novel frameshift variants and clade‑specific domain expansions. Phylogenetic and tissue‑specific expression analyses reveal functional divergence among paralogs, and the unexpected retention of the VRN2 repressor in spring barley suggests additional regulatory mechanisms beyond vernalization.
Phylogenetic analysis reveals that non‑seed plants, exemplified by the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, possess a streamlined repertoire of cyclin and CDK genes, with only three cyclins active in a phase‑specific manner during vegetative development. Single‑cell RNA‑seq and fluorescent reporter assays, combined with functional overexpression studies, demonstrate the distinct, non‑redundant roles of MpCYCD;1, MpCYCA, and MpCYCB;1 in G1 entry, S‑phase progression, and G2/M transition, respectively.
The study investigates the role of the Arabidopsis transcription factor AtMYB93 in sulfur (S) signaling and root development, revealing that AtMYB93 mutants exhibit altered expression of S transport and metabolism genes and increased shoot S levels, while tomato plants overexpressing SlMYB93 show reduced shoot S. Transcriptomic profiling, elemental analysis, and promoter activity assays indicate that AtMYB93 contributes to root responses to S deprivation, though functional redundancy masks clear phenotypic effects on lateral and adventitious root formation.
The study investigates the Arabidopsis ribosomal protein RPS6A and its role in auxin‑related root growth, revealing that rps6a mutants display shortened primary roots, fewer lateral roots, and defective vasculature that are not rescued by exogenous auxin. Cell biological observations and global transcriptome profiling show weakened auxin signaling and reduced levels of PIN auxin transporters in the mutant, indicating a non‑canonical function of the ribosomal subunit in auxin pathways.