Genetic transformation technologies for the common dandelion, Taraxacum officinale.

Background: Taraxacum officinale, or the common dandelion, is a widespread perennial species recognized worldwide as a common lawn and garden weed. Common dandelion is also cultivated for use in teas, as edible greens, and for use in traditional medicine. It produces latex and is closely related to the Russian dandelion, T.

Review: Functional linkages between amino acid transporters and plant responses to pathogens.

Upon infection, plant pathogens become dependent on their hosts for nutrition. Therefore, the interaction between the two organisms is tightly linked to the availability and flux of nutrients in the plant. The plant's nitrogen metabolism is reprogrammed during pathogen attack, likely reflecting plant's response to invasion by the pathogen and active modification by the pathogen to promote feeding.

Update on amino acid transporter functions and on possible amino acid sensing mechanisms in plants.

Amino acids are essential components of plant metabolism, not only as constituents of proteins, but also as precursors of important secondary metabolites and as carriers of organic nitrogen between the organs of the plant. Transport across intracellular membranes and translocation of amino acids within the plant is mediated by membrane amino acid transporters. The past few years have seen the identification of a new family of amino acid transporters in Arabidopsis, the characterization of intracellular amino acid transporters, and the discovery of new roles for already known proteins.