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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... May 2022Plants have characteristic features that affect the expression of sexual function, notably the existence of a haploid organism in the life cycle, and in their... (Review)
Review
Plants have characteristic features that affect the expression of sexual function, notably the existence of a haploid organism in the life cycle, and in their development, which is modular, iterative and environmentally reactive. For instance, primary selection (the first filtering of the products of meiosis) is via gametes in diplontic animals, but via gametophyte organisms in plants. Intragametophytic selfing produces double haploid sporophytes which is in effect a form of clonal reproduction mediated by sexual mechanisms. In homosporous plants, the diploid sporophyte is sexless, sex being only expressed in the haploid gametophyte. However, in seed plants, the timing and location of gamete production is determined by the sporophyte, which therefore has a sexual role, and in dioecious plants has genetic sex, while the seed plant gametophyte has lost genetic sex. This evolutionary transition is one that E.J.H. Corner called 'the transference of sexuality'. The iterative development characteristic of plants can lead to a wide variety of patterns in the distribution of sexual function, and in dioecious plants poor canalization of reproductive development can lead to intrasexual mating and the production of YY supermales or WW superfemales. Finally, plant modes of asexual reproduction (agamospermy/apogamy) are also distinctive by subverting gametophytic processes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sex determination and sex chromosome evolution in land plants'.
Topics: Animals; Diploidy; Germ Cells, Plant; Plants; Reproduction
PubMed: 35306890
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0213 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 1984In Part 1 of a planned series of articles on preservation of foods of plant origin by gamma irradiation, the current state of research on the technological, nutritional,... (Review)
Review
In Part 1 of a planned series of articles on preservation of foods of plant origin by gamma irradiation, the current state of research on the technological, nutritional, and biochemical aspects of sprout inhibition of potatoes and other tuber crops are reviewed. These include varietal responses, dose effects, time of irradiation, pre- and postirradiation storage, and handling requirements; postirradiation changes in carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, amino acids, and other nutrients; respiration; biochemical mechanisms involved in sprout inhibition; wound healing and microbial infection during storage; formation of wound and light-induced glycoalkaloids and identification of irradiated potatoes. The culinary and processing qualities with particular reference to darkening of boiled and processed potatoes are discussed. The prospects of irradiation on an industrial scale as an alternative to chemical sprout inhibitors or mechanical refrigeration are considered.
Topics: Amino Acids; Carbohydrate Metabolism; DNA; Food Irradiation; Food Microbiology; Indoleacetic Acids; Nutritive Value; Oxygen Consumption; Phenols; Plants; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA; Vegetables; Vitamins
PubMed: 6205823
DOI: 10.1080/10408398409527380 -
Plant, Cell & Environment Aug 2014Volatile organic compounds emitted by plants represent the largest part of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) released into our atmosphere. Plant volatiles are... (Review)
Review
Volatile organic compounds emitted by plants represent the largest part of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) released into our atmosphere. Plant volatiles are formed through many biochemical pathways, constitutively and after stress induction. In recent years, our understanding of the functions of these molecules has made constant and rapid progress. From being considered in the past as a mere waste of carbon, BVOCs have now emerged as an essential element of an invisible language that is perceived and exploited by the plants' enemies, the enemies of plant enemies, and neighbouring plants. In addition, BVOCs have important functions in protecting plants from abiotic stresses. Recent advances in our understanding of the role of BVOC in direct and indirect defences are driving further attention to these emissions. This special issue gathers some of the latest and most original research that further expands our knowledge of BVOC. BVOC emissions and functions in (1) unexplored terrestrial (including the soil) and marine environments, (2) in changing climate conditions, and (3) under anthropic pressures, or (4) in complex trophic communities are comprehensively reviewed. Stepping up from scientific awareness, the presented information shows that the manipulation and exploitation of BVOC is a realistic and promising strategy for agricultural applications and biotechnological exploitations.
Topics: Climate Change; Ecosystem; Plants; Stress, Physiological; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 24811745
DOI: 10.1111/pce.12369 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Jun 2022Plants share their natural environment with numerous microorganisms, commensal as well as harmful. Plant fitness and performance are thus dependent on an efficient... (Review)
Review
Plants share their natural environment with numerous microorganisms, commensal as well as harmful. Plant fitness and performance are thus dependent on an efficient communication with such microbiota. The primary means of communication are metabolites exuded from roots, primarily diverse secondary metabolites. The exuded metabolites trigger changes in composition and function of plant associated microbiome. In the last few years, many metabolites were uncovered that are part of this communication network and modulate specific functions of the root microbiota. Here, we describe the progress in identification of such metabolites and their functions and outline the most significant knowledge gaps for future research.
Topics: Microbiota; Plant Roots; Plants; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 35525222
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102227 -
Plant, Cell & Environment Oct 2019The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a rapid regulatory mechanism for selective protein degradation in plants and plays crucial roles in growth and development.... (Review)
Review
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a rapid regulatory mechanism for selective protein degradation in plants and plays crucial roles in growth and development. There is increasing evidence that the UPS is also an integral part of plant adaptation to environmental stress, such as drought, salinity, cold, nutrient deprivation and pathogens. This review focuses on recent studies illustrating the important functions of the UPS components E2s, E3s and subunits of the proteasome and describes the regulation of proteasome activity during plant responses to environment stimuli. The future research hotspots and the potential for utilization of the UPS to improve plant tolerance to stress are discussed.
Topics: Cold Temperature; Droughts; Environment; Plant Development; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plants; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Salt Stress; Stress, Physiological; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 31364170
DOI: 10.1111/pce.13633 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Apr 2006Plant architecture, referring here to the aerial part of a higher plant, is mainly determined by factors affecting shoot branching, plant height and inflorescence... (Review)
Review
Plant architecture, referring here to the aerial part of a higher plant, is mainly determined by factors affecting shoot branching, plant height and inflorescence morphology. Significant progress has been made in isolating and characterizing genes that are directly involved in the formation of plant architecture, especially those controlling the initiation and outgrowth of axillary buds, elongation of stems and architecture of inflorescences. Most of these genes are conserved between dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, indicating that these plants share similar regulatory pathways to establish their shape. The conservation of these genes makes them of great agronomical importance for improving crop yields.
Topics: Flowers; Genes, Plant; Plant Development; Plant Proteins; Plants
PubMed: 16504498
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2006.02.004 -
Plant Physiology Dec 2000
Review
Topics: Abscisic Acid; Carbohydrates; Hexokinase; Mutation; Plant Development; Plant Growth Regulators; Plants; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 11115871
DOI: 10.1104/pp.124.4.1532 -
Current Opinion in Immunology Feb 2015Intracellular immune receptors with nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich domains (NLRs) are found in both plants and animals. Compared to animals, NLR-encoding gene families... (Review)
Review
Intracellular immune receptors with nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich domains (NLRs) are found in both plants and animals. Compared to animals, NLR-encoding gene families are expanded, more prevalent and have enriched diversity in higher plants. Strong host defense triggered by the recognition of specific pathogen effectors constitutes a major part of the plant immune response that has long been exploited to breed crops for enhanced resistance. Although the first plant NLR genes were cloned about 20 years ago, their signaling mechanisms remain obscure. Here we review recent progress in plant NLR studies, focusing on their pathogen recognition, homeostasis control and potential signaling activation mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Homeostasis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Multigene Family; Plant Proteins; Plants; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; Receptors, Immunologic; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 25667191
DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.01.014 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2019Endophytic bacteria, which interact closely with their host, are an essential part of the plant microbiome. These interactions enhance plant tolerance to environmental... (Review)
Review
Endophytic bacteria, which interact closely with their host, are an essential part of the plant microbiome. These interactions enhance plant tolerance to environmental changes as well as promote plant growth, thus they have become attractive targets for increasing crop production. Numerous studies have aimed to characterise how endophytic bacteria infect and colonise their hosts as well as conferring important traits to the plant. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge regarding endophytic colonisation and focus on the insights that have been obtained from the mutants of bacteria and plants as well as 'omic analyses. These show how endophytic bacteria produce various molecules and have a range of activities related to chemotaxis, motility, adhesion, bacterial cell wall properties, secretion, regulating transcription and utilising a substrate in order to establish a successful interaction. Colonisation is mediated by plant receptors and is regulated by the signalling that is connected with phytohormones such as auxin and jasmonic (JA) and salicylic acids (SA). We also highlight changes in the expression of small RNAs and modifications of the cell wall properties. Moreover, in order to exploit the beneficial plant-endophytic bacteria interactions in agriculture successfully, we show that the key aspects that govern successful interactions remain to be defined.
Topics: Bacteria; Cell Wall; Endophytes; Plant Development; Plants; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31010043
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081947 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Aug 2014Plant roots are host to a multitude of filamentous microorganisms. Among these, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide benefits to plants, while pathogens trigger diseases... (Review)
Review
Plant roots are host to a multitude of filamentous microorganisms. Among these, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide benefits to plants, while pathogens trigger diseases resulting in significant crop yield losses. It is therefore imperative to study processes which allow plants to discriminate detrimental and beneficial interactions in order to protect crops from diseases while retaining the ability for sustainable bio-fertilisation strategies. Accumulating evidence suggests that some symbiosis processes also affect plant-pathogen interactions. A large part of this overlap likely constitutes plant developmental processes. Moreover, microbes utilise effector proteins to interfere with plant development. Here we list relevant recent findings on how plant-microbe interactions intersect with plant development and highlight future research leads.
Topics: Crops, Agricultural; Mycorrhizae; Plant Development; Plants; Symbiosis
PubMed: 24922556
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2014.05.014