@article{lathe_nks1elmo4_2024,
	title = {{NKS1}/{ELMO4} is an integral protein of a pectin synthesis protein complex and maintains {Golgi} morphology and cell adhesion in {Arabidopsis}},
	volume = {121},
	url = {https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2321759121},
	doi = {10.1073/pnas.2321759121},
	abstract = {Adjacent plant cells are connected by specialized cell wall regions, called middle lamellae, which influence critical agricultural characteristics, including fruit ripening and organ abscission. Middle lamellae are enriched in pectin polysaccharides, specifically homogalacturonan (HG). Here, we identify a plant-specific Arabidopsis DUF1068 protein, called NKS1/ELMO4, that is required for middle lamellae integrity and cell adhesion. NKS1 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and loss of NKS1 results in changes to Golgi structure and function. The nks1 mutants also display HG deficient phenotypes, including reduced seedling growth, changes to cell wall composition, and tissue integrity defects. These phenotypes are comparable to qua1 and qua2 mutants, which are defective in HG biosynthesis. Notably, genetic interactions indicate that NKS1 and the QUAs work in a common pathway. Protein interaction analyses and modeling corroborate that they work together in a stable protein complex with other pectin-related proteins. We propose that NKS1 is an integral part of a large pectin synthesis protein complex and that proper function of this complex is important to support Golgi structure and function.},
	number = {15},
	urldate = {2024-04-12},
	journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
	author = {Lathe, Rahul S. and McFarlane, Heather E. and Kesten, Christopher and Wang, Liu and Khan, Ghazanfar Abbas and Ebert, Berit and Ramírez-Rodríguez, Eduardo Antonio and Zheng, Shuai and Noord, Niels and Frandsen, Kristian and Bhalerao, Rishikesh P. and Persson, Staffan},
	month = apr,
	year = {2024},
	note = {Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
	pages = {e2321759121},
}

Adjacent plant cells are connected by specialized cell wall regions, called middle lamellae, which influence critical agricultural characteristics, including fruit ripening and organ abscission. Middle lamellae are enriched in pectin polysaccharides, specifically homogalacturonan (HG). Here, we identify a plant-specific Arabidopsis DUF1068 protein, called NKS1/ELMO4, that is required for middle lamellae integrity and cell adhesion. NKS1 localizes to the Golgi apparatus and loss of NKS1 results in changes to Golgi structure and function. The nks1 mutants also display HG deficient phenotypes, including reduced seedling growth, changes to cell wall composition, and tissue integrity defects. These phenotypes are comparable to qua1 and qua2 mutants, which are defective in HG biosynthesis. Notably, genetic interactions indicate that NKS1 and the QUAs work in a common pathway. Protein interaction analyses and modeling corroborate that they work together in a stable protein complex with other pectin-related proteins. We propose that NKS1 is an integral part of a large pectin synthesis protein complex and that proper function of this complex is important to support Golgi structure and function.

@article{hoermayer_mechanical_2024,
	title = {Mechanical forces in plant tissue matrix orient cell divisions via microtubule stabilization},
	issn = {1534-5807},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1534580724001771},
	doi = {10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.009},
	abstract = {Plant morphogenesis relies exclusively on oriented cell expansion and division. Nonetheless, the mechanism(s) determining division plane orientation remain elusive. Here, we studied tissue healing after laser-assisted wounding in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and uncovered how mechanical forces stabilize and reorient the microtubule cytoskeleton for the orientation of cell division. We identified that root tissue functions as an interconnected cell matrix, with a radial gradient of tissue extendibility causing predictable tissue deformation after wounding. This deformation causes instant redirection of expansion in the surrounding cells and reorientation of microtubule arrays, ultimately predicting cell division orientation. Microtubules are destabilized under low tension, whereas stretching of cells, either through wounding or external aspiration, immediately induces their polymerization. The higher microtubule abundance in the stretched cell parts leads to the reorientation of microtubule arrays and, ultimately, informs cell division planes. This provides a long-sought mechanism for flexible re-arrangement of cell divisions by mechanical forces for tissue reconstruction and plant architecture.},
	urldate = {2024-04-12},
	journal = {Developmental Cell},
	author = {Hoermayer, Lukas and Montesinos, Juan Carlos and Trozzi, Nicola and Spona, Leonhard and Yoshida, Saiko and Marhava, Petra and Caballero-Mancebo, Silvia and Benková, Eva and Heisenberg, Carl-Philip and Dagdas, Yasin and Majda, Mateusz and Friml, Jiří},
	month = apr,
	year = {2024},
	keywords = {ablation, cell division, cell division plane, cell expansion, mechanical forces, microscopy, microtubules, plant development},
}

Plant morphogenesis relies exclusively on oriented cell expansion and division. Nonetheless, the mechanism(s) determining division plane orientation remain elusive. Here, we studied tissue healing after laser-assisted wounding in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and uncovered how mechanical forces stabilize and reorient the microtubule cytoskeleton for the orientation of cell division. We identified that root tissue functions as an interconnected cell matrix, with a radial gradient of tissue extendibility causing predictable tissue deformation after wounding. This deformation causes instant redirection of expansion in the surrounding cells and reorientation of microtubule arrays, ultimately predicting cell division orientation. Microtubules are destabilized under low tension, whereas stretching of cells, either through wounding or external aspiration, immediately induces their polymerization. The higher microtubule abundance in the stretched cell parts leads to the reorientation of microtubule arrays and, ultimately, informs cell division planes. This provides a long-sought mechanism for flexible re-arrangement of cell divisions by mechanical forces for tissue reconstruction and plant architecture.

@article{vittozzi_abi5_2024,
	title = {{ABI5} binding proteins: key players in coordinating plant growth and development},
	volume = {0},
	issn = {1360-1385},
	shorttitle = {{ABI5} binding proteins},
	url = {https://www.cell.com/trends/plant-science/abstract/S1360-1385(24)00065-7},
	doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2024.03.009},
	language = {English},
	number = {0},
	urldate = {2024-04-09},
	journal = {Trends in Plant Science},
	author = {Vittozzi, Ylenia and Krüger, Thorben and Majee, Adity and Née, Guillaume and Wenkel, Stephan},
	month = apr,
	year = {2024},
	pmid = {38584080},
	note = {Publisher: Elsevier},
	keywords = {AFP (ABI5 binding protein), abscisic acid, flowering regulation, microprotein, seed germination},
}

@article{ortiz_genomic_2024,
	title = {Genomic {Prediction} for {Inbred} and {Hybrid} {Polysomic} {Tetraploid} {Potato} {Offspring}},
	volume = {14},
	copyright = {http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/},
	issn = {2077-0472},
	url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/3/455},
	doi = {10.3390/agriculture14030455},
	abstract = {Potato genetic improvement begins with crossing cultivars or breeding clones which often have complementary characteristics for producing heritable variation in segregating offspring, in which phenotypic selection is used thereafter across various vegetative generations (Ti). The aim of this research was to determine whether tetrasomic genomic best linear unbiased predictors (GBLUPs) may facilitate selecting for tuber yield across early Ti within and across breeding sites in inbred (S1) and hybrid (F1) tetraploid potato offspring. This research used 858 breeding clones for a T1 trial at Umeå (Norrland, 63°49′30″ N 20°15′50″ E) in 2021, as well as 829 and 671 clones from the breeding population for T2 trials during 2022 at Umeå and Helgegården (Skåne, 56°01′46″ N 14°09′24″ E), respectively, along with their parents (S0) and check cultivars. The S1 and F1 were derived from selfing and crossing four S0. The experimental layout was an augmented design of four-plant plots across testing sites, where breeding clones were non-replicated, and the parents and cultivars were placed in all blocks between the former. The genomic prediction abilities (r) for tuber weight per plant were 0.5944 and 0.6776 in T2 at Helgegården and Umeå, respectively, when T1 at Umeå was used as the training population. On average, r was larger in inbred than in hybrid offspring at both breeding sites. The r was also estimated using multi-environment data (involving at least one S1 and one F1) for T2 performance at both breeding sites. The r was strongly influenced by the genotype in both S1 and F1 offspring irrespective of the breeding site.},
	language = {en},
	number = {3},
	urldate = {2024-04-04},
	journal = {Agriculture},
	author = {Ortiz, Rodomiro and Reslow, Fredrik and Vetukuri, Ramesh and García-Gil, M. Rosario and Pérez-Rodríguez, Paulino and Crossa, José},
	month = mar,
	year = {2024},
	note = {Number: 3
Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
	keywords = {\textit{Solanum tuberosum}, Nordic latitude, crossing, genomic estimated breeding values, linear models, polyploidy, selfing, tetrasomic inheritance},
	pages = {455},
}

Potato genetic improvement begins with crossing cultivars or breeding clones which often have complementary characteristics for producing heritable variation in segregating offspring, in which phenotypic selection is used thereafter across various vegetative generations (Ti). The aim of this research was to determine whether tetrasomic genomic best linear unbiased predictors (GBLUPs) may facilitate selecting for tuber yield across early Ti within and across breeding sites in inbred (S1) and hybrid (F1) tetraploid potato offspring. This research used 858 breeding clones for a T1 trial at Umeå (Norrland, 63°49′30″ N 20°15′50″ E) in 2021, as well as 829 and 671 clones from the breeding population for T2 trials during 2022 at Umeå and Helgegården (Skåne, 56°01′46″ N 14°09′24″ E), respectively, along with their parents (S0) and check cultivars. The S1 and F1 were derived from selfing and crossing four S0. The experimental layout was an augmented design of four-plant plots across testing sites, where breeding clones were non-replicated, and the parents and cultivars were placed in all blocks between the former. The genomic prediction abilities (r) for tuber weight per plant were 0.5944 and 0.6776 in T2 at Helgegården and Umeå, respectively, when T1 at Umeå was used as the training population. On average, r was larger in inbred than in hybrid offspring at both breeding sites. The r was also estimated using multi-environment data (involving at least one S1 and one F1) for T2 performance at both breeding sites. The r was strongly influenced by the genotype in both S1 and F1 offspring irrespective of the breeding site.

@article{zhao_evolutionary_2024,
	title = {Evolutionary radiation of the {Eurasian} {Pinus} species under pervasive gene flow},
	copyright = {© 2024 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation},
	issn = {1469-8137},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nph.19694},
	doi = {10.1111/nph.19694},
	abstract = {Evolutionary radiation, a pivotal aspect of macroevolution, offers valuable insights into evolutionary processes. The genus Pinus is the largest genus in conifers with c.{\textbackslash} c. {\textbackslash} 90\% of the extant species emerged in the Miocene, which signifies a case of rapid diversification. Despite this remarkable history, our understanding of the mechanisms driving radiation within this expansive genus has remained limited. Using exome capture sequencing and a fossil-calibrated phylogeny, we investigated the divergence history, niche diversification, and introgression among 13 closely related Eurasian species spanning climate zones from the tropics to the boreal Arctic. We detected complex introgression among lineages in subsection Pinus at all stages of the phylogeny. Despite this widespread gene exchange, each species maintained its genetic identity and showed clear niche differentiation. Demographic analysis unveiled distinct population histories among these species, which further influenced the nucleotide diversity and efficacy of purifying and positive selection in each species. Our findings suggest that radiation in the Eurasian pines was likely fueled by interspecific recombination and further reinforced by their adaptation to distinct environments. Our study highlights the constraints and opportunities for evolutionary change, and the expectations of future adaptation in response to environmental changes in different lineages.},
	language = {en},
	urldate = {2024-04-02},
	journal = {New Phytologist},
	author = {Zhao, Wei and Gao, Jie and Hall, David and Andersson, Bea Angelica and Bruxaux, Jade and Tomlinson, Kyle W. and Drouzas, Andreas D. and Suyama, Yoshihisa and Wang, Xiao-Ru},
	month = mar,
	year = {2024},
	note = {\_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.19694},
	keywords = {Pinus evolution, demographic history, divergent adaptation, ecological gradients, introgression, phylogeny, selection},
}

Evolutionary radiation, a pivotal aspect of macroevolution, offers valuable insights into evolutionary processes. The genus Pinus is the largest genus in conifers with c.\ c. \ 90% of the extant species emerged in the Miocene, which signifies a case of rapid diversification. Despite this remarkable history, our understanding of the mechanisms driving radiation within this expansive genus has remained limited. Using exome capture sequencing and a fossil-calibrated phylogeny, we investigated the divergence history, niche diversification, and introgression among 13 closely related Eurasian species spanning climate zones from the tropics to the boreal Arctic. We detected complex introgression among lineages in subsection Pinus at all stages of the phylogeny. Despite this widespread gene exchange, each species maintained its genetic identity and showed clear niche differentiation. Demographic analysis unveiled distinct population histories among these species, which further influenced the nucleotide diversity and efficacy of purifying and positive selection in each species. Our findings suggest that radiation in the Eurasian pines was likely fueled by interspecific recombination and further reinforced by their adaptation to distinct environments. Our study highlights the constraints and opportunities for evolutionary change, and the expectations of future adaptation in response to environmental changes in different lineages.