D6PK plasma membrane polarity requires a repeated CXX(X)P motif and PDK1-dependent phosphorylation.

D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) is a polarly localized plasma-membrane-associated kinase from Arabidopsis thaliana that activates polarly distributed PIN-FORMED auxin transporters. D6PK moves rapidly to and from the plasma membrane, independent of its PIN-FORMED targets. The middle D6PK domain, an insertion between kinase subdomains VII and VIII, is required and sufficient for association and polarity of the D6PK plasma membrane.

The SCL30a SR protein regulates ABA-dependent seed traits and germination under stress.

SR proteins are conserved RNA-binding proteins best known as splicing regulators that have also been implicated in other steps of gene expression. Despite mounting evidence for a role in plant development and stress responses, the molecular pathways underlying SR protein regulation of these processes remain poorly understood. Here we show that the plant-specific SCL30a SR protein negatively regulates ABA signaling to control seed traits and stress responses during germination in Arabidopsis.

Directed growth and fusion of membrane-wall microdomains requires CASP-mediated inhibition and displacement of secretory foci.

Casparian strips (CS) are aligned bands of lignin-impregnated cell walls, building an extracellular diffusion barrier in roots. Their structure profoundly differs from tight junctions (TJ), analogous structures in animals. Nonetheless, CS membrane domain (CSD) proteins 1-5 (CASP1-5) are homologues of occludins, TJ components.

The Casparian strip-one ring to bring cell biology to lignification?

Lignin research has long been motivated by the outstanding importance of wood for human societies. The annual, non-woody Arabidopsis thaliana, has nevertheless contributed greatly to our understanding of lignification, due to its unrivalled genetic resources. Arabidopsis is also great for cell and developmental biology, allowing precise imaging and tracking of cell types.

Activation and Polarity Control of PIN-FORMED Auxin Transporters by Phosphorylation.

Auxin controls almost every aspect of plant development. Auxin is distributed within the plant by passive diffusion and active cell-to-cell transport. PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux transporters are polarly distributed in the plasma membranes of many cells, and knowledge about their distribution can predict auxin transport and explain auxin distribution patterns, even in complex tissues.

Dynamic PIN-FORMED auxin efflux carrier phosphorylation at the plasma membrane controls auxin efflux-dependent growth.

The directional distribution of the phytohormone auxin is essential for plant development. Directional auxin transport is mediated by the polarly distributed PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carriers. We have previously shown that efficient PIN1-mediated auxin efflux requires activation through phosphorylation at the four serines S1-S4 in Arabidopsis thaliana The Brefeldin A (BFA)-sensitive D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) and the BFA-insensitive PINOID (PID) phosphorylate and activate PIN1 through phosphorylation at all four phosphosites.

Phospholipid composition and a polybasic motif determine D6 PROTEIN KINASE polar association with the plasma membrane and tropic responses.

Polar transport of the phytohormone auxin through PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux carriers is essential for the spatiotemporal control of plant development. The Arabidopsis thaliana serine/threonine kinase D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) is polarly localized at the plasma membrane of many cells where it colocalizes with PINs and activates PIN-mediated auxin efflux. Here, we show that the association of D6PK with the basal plasma membrane and PINs is dependent on the phospholipid composition of the plasma membrane as well as on the phosphatidylinositol phosphate 5-kinases PIP5K1 and PIP5K2 in epidermis cells of the primary root.

The Arabidopsis SR45 Splicing Factor, a Negative Regulator of Sugar Signaling, Modulates SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 Stability.

The ability to sense and respond to sugar signals allows plants to cope with environmental and metabolic changes by adjusting growth and development accordingly. We previously reported that the SR45 splicing factor negatively regulates glucose signaling during early seedling development in Arabidopsis thaliana Here, we show that under glucose-fed conditions, the Arabidopsis sr45-1 loss-of-function mutant contains higher amounts of the energy-sensing SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 (SnRK1) despite unaffected SnRK1 transcript levels. In agreement, marker genes for SnRK1 activity are upregulated in sr45-1 plants, and the glucose hypersensitivity of sr45-1 is attenuated by disruption of the SnRK1 gene.

Arabidopsis D6PK is a lipid domain-dependent mediator of root epidermal planar polarity.

Development of diverse multicellular organisms relies on coordination of single-cell polarities within the plane of the tissue layer (planar polarity). Cell polarity often involves plasma membrane heterogeneity generated by accumulation of specific lipids and proteins into membrane subdomains. Coordinated hair positioning along Arabidopsis root epidermal cells provides a planar polarity model in plants, but knowledge about the functions of proteo-lipid domains in planar polarity signalling remains limited.

Auxin efflux by PIN-FORMED proteins is activated by two different protein kinases, D6 PROTEIN KINASE and PINOID.

The development and morphology of vascular plants is critically determined by synthesis and proper distribution of the phytohormone auxin. The directed cell-to-cell distribution of auxin is achieved through a system of auxin influx and efflux transporters. PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins are proposed auxin efflux transporters, and auxin fluxes can seemingly be predicted based on the--in many cells--asymmetric plasma membrane distribution of PINs.

D6 PROTEIN KINASE activates auxin transport-dependent growth and PIN-FORMED phosphorylation at the plasma membrane.

The directed cell-to-cell transport of the phytohormone auxin by efflux and influx transporters is essential for proper plant growth and development. Like auxin efflux facilitators of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) family, D6 PROTEIN KINASE (D6PK) from Arabidopsis thaliana localizes to the basal plasma membrane of many cells, and evidence exists that D6PK may directly phosphorylate PINs. We find that D6PK is a membrane-bound protein that is associated with either the basal domain of the plasma membrane or endomembranes.

D6PK AGCVIII kinases are required for auxin transport and phototropic hypocotyl bending in Arabidopsis.

Phototropic hypocotyl bending in response to blue light excitation is an important adaptive process that helps plants to optimize their exposure to light. In Arabidopsis thaliana, phototropic hypocotyl bending is initiated by the blue light receptors and protein kinases phototropin1 (phot1) and phot2. Phototropic responses also require auxin transport and were shown to be partially compromised in mutants of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin efflux facilitators.

Analysing the isotopic life history of the alpine ungulates Capra ibex and Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra through their horns.

The horn of ungulate grazers offers a valuable isotopic record of their diet and environment. However, there have been no reports of the spatio-temporal variation of the isotopic composition of horns. We investigated patterns of carbon (delta(13)C) and nitrogen (delta(15)N) isotopic composition along and perpendicular to the horn axis in Capra ibex and Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra to assess the effects of animal age, within-year (seasonal) and inter-annual variation, natural contamination and sampling position on horn isotope composition.