Publications by authors named "K M Balmant"
Legumes establish a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia by developing nodules. Nodules are modified lateral roots that undergo changes in their cellular development in response to bacteria, but the transcriptional reprogramming that occurs in these root cells remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we describe the cell-type-specific transcriptome response of Medicago truncatula roots to rhizobia during early nodule development in the wild-type genotype Jemalong A17, complemented with a hypernodulating mutant (sunn-4) to expand the cell population responding to infection and subsequent biological inferences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Symbiotic associations between bacteria and leguminous plants lead to the formation of root nodules that fix nitrogen needed for sustainable agricultural systems. Symbiosis triggers extensive genome and transcriptome remodeling in the plant, yet an integrated understanding of the extent of chromatin changes and transcriptional networks that functionally regulate gene expression associated with symbiosis remains poorly understood. In particular, analyses of early temporal events driving this symbiosis have only captured correlative relationships between regulators and targets at mRNA level.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focuses on understanding how stem cells in the shoot apex of woody plants like Populus develop into different tissues and organs, specifically examining the lack of a lineage map for these cells.
- Using single-nuclei RNA-sequencing, researchers identified seven major cell populations and established developmental pathways for various tissues, including epidermis, leaf mesophyll, and vascular tissue.
- By comparing the vascular development between Populus and the model plant Arabidopsis, the study highlights similarities and differences in cell differentiation processes across species, providing insights for future research on plant biology.
Article Synopsis
- Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plants, but many species rely on symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules to access it.
- Research on 25 nodulating species revealed 3,091 conserved noncoding sequences (CNS) in this nitrogen-fixing group, indicating potential regulatory elements for root-nodule symbiosis.
- Specific CNS identified were found to significantly influence genes involved in nodulation, highlighting their critical role in the evolution of this symbiotic trait.