Conservation of the dehiscence zone gene regulatory network in dicots and the role of the SEEDSTICK ortholog of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) in fruit development.

Background: Fruits, with their diverse shapes, colors, and flavors, represent a fascinating aspect of plant evolution and have played a significant role in human history and nutrition. Understanding the origins and evolutionary pathways of fruits offers valuable insights into plant diversity, ecological relationships, and the development of agricultural systems. Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae, core eudicot) and Eschscholzia californica (California poppy, Papaveraceae, sister group to core eudicots) both develop dry dehiscent fruits, with two valves separating explosively from the replum-like region upon maturation.

VIGS Goes Viral: How VIGS Transforms Our Understanding of Plant Science.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has developed into an indispensable approach to gene function analysis in a wide array of species, many of which are not amenable to stable genetic transformation. VIGS utilizes the posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) machinery of plants to restrain viral infections systemically and is used to downregulate the plant's endogenous genes. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of DNA- and RNA-virus-based VIGS, its inherent connection to PTGS, and what is known about the systemic spread of silencing.