The study shows that the SnRK1 catalytic subunit KIN10 directs tissue-specific growth‑defense programs in Arabidopsis thaliana by reshaping transcriptomes. kin10 knockout mutants exhibit altered root transcription, reduced root growth, and weakened defense against Pseudomonas syringae, whereas KIN10 overexpression activates shoot defense pathways, increasing ROS and salicylic acid signaling at the cost of growth.
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.
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 examined how genetic variation among 181 wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines influences root endophytic fungal communities using ITS2 metabarcoding. Heritability estimates and GWAS identified 11 QTLs linked to fungal clade composition, highlighting genetic control of mycobiota, especially for biotrophic AMF. These findings suggest breeding can be used to modulate beneficial root-fungal associations.
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.
The study examined transposable element (TE) silencing in the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza, which exhibits unusually low DNA methylation, scarce 24‑nt siRNAs, and missing RdDM components. While degenerated TEs lack DNA methylation and H3K9me2, they retain heterochromatin marks H3K9me1 and H3K27me1, whereas the few intact TEs show high DNA methylation and H3K9me2, indicating a shift in RdDM focus toward potentially active TEs and suggesting heterochromatin can be maintained independently of DNA methylation in flowering plants.