MpR2R3-MYB2 is a key regulator of oil body formation in Marchantia polymorpha.

MpMYB02, a regulator of marchantin accumulation, also acts as a key regulator of oil body formation. MpMYB02 induces the expression of MpSYP12B and promotes oil body formation, subsequently leading to marchantin accumulation. The oil body observed in Marchantia polymorpha is a cellular organelle surrounded by a unit membrane, accumulating various secondary metabolites such as marchantins and terpenes.

A Polyphenol Oxidase Catalyzes Aurone Synthesis in Marchantia polymorpha.

Aurones constitute one of the major classes of flavonoids, with a characteristic furanone structure that acts as the C-ring of flavonoids. Members of various enzyme families are involved in aurone biosynthesis in different higher plants, suggesting that during evolution plants acquired the ability to biosynthesize aurones independently and convergently. Bryophytes also produce aurones, but the biosynthetic pathways and enzymes involved have not been determined.

GEMMA CUP-ASSOCIATED MYB1, an Ortholog of Axillary Meristem Regulators, Is Essential in Vegetative Reproduction in Marchantia polymorpha.

A variety of plants in diverse taxa can reproduce asexually via vegetative propagation, in which clonal propagules with a new meristem(s) are generated directly from vegetative organs. A basal land plant, Marchantia polymorpha, develops clonal propagules, gemmae, on the gametophyte thallus from the basal epidermis of a specialized receptacle, the gemma cup. Here we report an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, designated GEMMA CUP-ASSOCIATED MYB1 (GCAM1), which is an essential regulator of gemma cup development in M.

Physiological function of photoreceptor UVR8 in UV-B tolerance in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.

The physiological importance of MpUVR8 in UV-B resistance and translocation in a UV-B-dependent manner from the cytosol into the nucleus is characterized in Marchantia polymorpha. UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) is an ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light receptor functioning for UV-B sensing and tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana and other species. It is unclear whether UVR8 physiologically functions in UV-B-induced defense responses in Marchantia polymorpha, which belongs to the earliest diverging group of embryophyte lineages.

Biosynthesis of riccionidins and marchantins is regulated by R2R3-MYB transcription factors in Marchantia polymorpha.

R2R3-MYB transcription factors constitute the largest gene family among plant transcription factor families. They became largely divergent during the evolution of land plants and regulate various biological processes. The functions of R2R3-MYBs are mostly characterized in seed plants but are poorly understood in non-seed plants.

Cloning of a FLOWERING LOCUS T ortholog in Wasabia japonica (Matsum).

A FLOWERING LOCUS T ortholog (WjFT) was identified in Wasabia japonica. Heterologous expression of WjFT remarkably promoted the flowering of Arabidopsis. The expression of WjFT was examined in field-grown wasabi in October and November of 2009, and February of 2010 because the differentiation of flower buds occurs in autumn in field-grown wasabi.

Characterization of root cells of anl2 mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana.

A mutation in the ANTHOCYANINLESS2 (ANL2) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana causes the formation of several extra cells called intervening cells (IV cells) between the cortical and epidermal layers of the primary root. The origin and character of IV cells were examined. Microscopic observation of serial sections of the root tissue showed that IV cells developed from epidermal cells, and the outer cells overlying the epidermal cells developed into epidermal-like cells.

Anthocyaninless1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a UDP-glucose:flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase.

We isolated several mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. that accumulated less anthocyanin in the plant tissues, but had seeds with a brown color similar to the wild-type.