Publications by authors named "N Smirnoff"
Article Synopsis
- Diatoms are silicified algae crucial for ecosystems, featuring chloroplasts acquired through secondary endosymbiosis, distinct from those of land plants.
- Calcium signaling regulates various functions in primary plastids, and while it’s involved in photoprotection in diatoms, its specific role in diatom chloroplasts remains unclear.
- Research on the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum reveals that calcium elevations in the chloroplast stroma are triggered by high light and hydrogen peroxide, suggesting a unique regulatory mechanism in response to stress.
This Special Issue was assembled to mark the 25th anniversary of the proposal of the d -mannose/ l -galactose (Smirnoff-Wheeler) ascorbate biosynthesis pathway in plants ( Wheeler et al., 1998 ). The issue aims to assess the current state of knowledge and to identify outstanding questions about ascorbate metabolism and functions in plants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAscorbate (vitamin C) is one of the most abundant primary metabolites in plants. Its complex chemistry enables it to function as an antioxidant, as a free radical scavenger, and as a reductant for iron and copper. Ascorbate biosynthesis occurs via the mannose/l-galactose pathway in green plants, and the evidence for this pathway being the major route is reviewed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStomatal defences are important for plants to prevent pathogen entry and further colonisation of leaves. Apoplastic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH oxidases and apoplastic peroxidases play an important role in activating stomatal closure upon perception of bacteria. However, downstream events, particularly the factors influencing cytosolic hydrogen peroxide (H O ) signatures in guard cells are poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Phytoplankton exhibit varying rates of thermal adaptation to higher temperatures, as evidenced by experimental studies.
- A simultaneous long-term study on three diverse marine phytoplankton species revealed significant differences in their responses to warming: Synechococcus sp. adapted the best, Ostreococcus tauri showed moderate adaptation, while Phaeodoactylum tricornutum exhibited no adaptation.
- These results suggest that certain phytoplankton species could change community dynamics and influence biogeochemical processes in warmer oceans.