WRKY47 transcription factor modulates leaf senescence through regulating PCD-associated genes in Arabidopsis.

Transcription factors play crucial roles in almost all physiological processes including leaf senescence. Cell death is a typical symptom appearing in senescing leaves, which is also classified as developmental programmed cell death (PCD). However, the link between PCD and leaf senescence still remains unclear.

The interaction and physicochemical properties of the starch-polyphenol complex: Polymeric proanthocyanidins and maize starch with different amylose/amylopectin ratios.

This study investigated the impact of polymeric proanthocyanidins (PPC) on the physicochemical characteristics of maize starch with varying amylose content, and their potential interaction mechanism. PPC with a lower content (1 %) reduced the viscoelasticity of the high amylose maize starch (HAM) system, inhibited amylose rearrangement, and enhanced its fluidity. However, excessive PPC restrained the interaction between PPC and amylose.

Arabidopsis EXTRA-LARGE G PROTEIN 1 (XLG1) functions together with XLG2 and XLG3 in PAMP-triggered MAPK activation and immunity.

Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) is an essential strategy used by plants to deploy broad-spectrum resistance against pathogen attacks. Heterotrimeric G proteins have been reported to contribute to PTI. Of the three non-canonical EXTRA-LARGE G PROTEINs (XLGs) in Arabidopsis thaliana, XLG2 and XLG3 were shown to positively regulate immunity, but XLG1 was not considered to function in defense, based on the analysis of a weak xlg1 allele.

Arabidopsis CPK6 positively regulates ABA signaling and drought tolerance through phosphorylating ABA-responsive element-binding factors.

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates numerous developmental processes and drought tolerance in plants. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) are important Ca2+ sensors playing crucial roles in plant growth and development as well as responses to stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms of many CPKs in ABA signaling and drought tolerance remain largely unknown.

Redox-sensitive bZIP68 plays a role in balancing stress tolerance with growth in Arabidopsis.

Perturbation of the cellular redox state by stress conditions is sensed by redox-sensitive proteins so that the cell can physiologically respond to stressors. However, the mechanisms linking sensing to response remain poorly understood in plants. Here we report that the transcription factor bZIP68 underwent in vivo oxidation in Arabidopsis cells under oxidative stress which is dependent on its redox-sensitive Cys320 residue.

Identification, cloning and characterization of R2R3-MYB gene family in canola (Brassica napus L.) identify a novel member modulating ROS accumulation and hypersensitive-like cell death.

The R2R3-MYB proteins comprise one of the largest families of transcription factors in plants. Although genome-wide analysis of this family has been carried out in some plant species, little is known about R2R3-MYB genes in canola (Brassica napus L.).

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) 4 from rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a novel member inducing ROS accumulation and cell death.

MAPKKK is the largest family of MAPK cascade, which is known to play important roles in plant growth, development and immune responses. So far, only a few have been functionally characterized even in the model plant, Arabidopsis due to the potential functional redundancy of MAPKKK. We previously identified and cloned a few MAPKKK family genes from rapeseed.

Rapeseed calcineurin B-like protein CBL4, interacting with CBL-interacting protein kinase CIPK24, modulates salt tolerance in plants.

Calcium is a ubiquitous intracellular secondary messenger in eukaryotes. Upon stress challenge, cytosolic Ca(2+) fluctuation could be sensed and bound by calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), which further regulate a group of Ser/Thr protein kinases called CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) to relay the signal and induce cellular responses. Although the CBL-CIPK network has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in plant development and responses to various environmental stresses in Arabidopsis, little is known about their function in rapeseed.

Arabidopsis CIPK14 positively regulates glucose response.

Calcium is a ubiquitous intracellular secondary messenger in plants. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), which contain four Ca(2+)-binding EF hand motifs, are Ca(2+) sensors and regulate a group of Ser/Thr protein kinases called CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). Although the CBL-CIPK network has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in plant development and responses to various environmental stresses in Arabidopsis, little is known about their function in glucose signaling.

Identification, expression and interaction analyses of calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) genes in canola (Brassica napus L.).

Background: Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oil-producing crops in China and worldwide. The yield and quality of canola is frequently threatened by environmental stresses including drought, cold and high salinity.

Identification and characterization of CBL and CIPK gene families in canola (Brassica napus L.).

Background: Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oil-producing crops in China and worldwide. The yield and quality of canola is frequently threatened by environmental stresses including drought, cold and high salinity.