Recent advances in small RNA mediated plant-virus interactions.

Small RNAs (sRNA) are reported to play pivotal roles in the epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during growth, development, and stress response in plants. Recently, the involvement of two different classes of sRNAs namely, miRNAs (microRNAs), and siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) in biotic stress response has been underlined. Notably, during virus infection, these sRNAs deploy antiviral defense by regulating the gene expression of the modulators of host defense pathways.

The FCS-LIKE ZINC FINGER 6 and 10 are involved in regulating osmotic stress responses in Arabidopsis.

The TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN-SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE 1 (TOR-SnRK1) arms race is a key regulator of plant growth in response to energy fluctuations and stress. Recently, we have identified that two members of the FCS-LIKE ZINC FINGER (FLZ) protein family, FLZ6 and 10, repress SnRK1 signaling and thereby involved in the activation of the TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) signaling. In this study, we demonstrate that FLZ6 and 10 are also involved in the regulation of osmotic stress responses.

KIX domain of AtMed15a, a Mediator subunit of Arabidopsis, is required for its interaction with different proteins.

Med15 is an important subunit of Mediator Tail module and is characterized by a KIX domain present towards amino terminal. In yeast and metazoans, Med15 KIX domain has been found to interact with various transcription factors regulating several processes including carbohydrate metabolism, lipogenesis, stress response and multidrug resistance. Mechanism of Med15 functioning in Arabidopsis is largely unknown.

Reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide production and antioxidant gene expression during development of aerenchyma formation in wheat.

In response to hypoxia, plant roots produce very high levels of nitric oxide. Recently, it was demonstrated that NO and ethylene both are essential for development of aerenchyma in wheat roots under hypoxia. Increased NO under hypoxia correlated with induction of NADPH oxidase gene expression, ROS production and lipid peroxidation in cortical cells.

Emerging functions of multi-protein complex Mediator with special emphasis on plants.

Mediator is a multi-subunit protein complex which is involved in transcriptional regulation in yeast and other eukaryotes. As a co-activator, it connects information from transcriptional activators/repressors to transcriptional machinery including RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors. It is not only involved in transcription initiation but also has important roles to play in transcription elongation and termination.

The interaction between glucose and cytokinin signaling in controlling Arabidopsis thaliana seedling root growth and development.

Cytokinin (CK) and glucose (GLC) control several common responses in plants. There is an extensive overlap between CK and GLC signal transduction pathways in Arabidopsis. Physiologically, both GLC and CK could regulate root length in light.

Differential expression of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascade components post submergence in Oryza sativa ssp indica cv Pusa Basmati 1.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade has been extensively studied in plants. Recently, this important network has been implicated in imparting submergence tolerance by facilitating the phosphorylation of the SUB1A1 protein. In this study, we try to examine the speculative role of MAPK cascade components in another rice mega-variety Pusa Basmati 1.

Ethylene acts as a negative regulator of glucose induced lateral root emergence in Arabidopsis.

Plants, being sessile organisms, are more exposed to the hazards of constantly changing environmental conditions globally. During the lifetime of a plant, the root system encounters various challenges such as obstacles, pathogens, high salinity, water logging, nutrient scarcity etc. The developmental plasticity of the root system provides brilliant adaptability to plants to counter the changes exerted by both external as well as internal cues and achieve an optimized growth status.

CAM7 and HY5 genetically interact to regulate root growth and abscisic acid responses.

CAM7, a member of CaM family in Arabidopsis, acts as a transcriptional regulator and enhances photomorphogenic growth and light regulated gene expression under various light conditions. HY5, a bZIP transcription factor, promotes photomorphogenesis at multiple wavelengths of light including far red, red, and blue light. Very recently, it has been shown that CAM7 and HY5 directly interact with the HY5 promoter to regulate the transcriptional activity of HY5 during Arabidopsis seedling development.

Glucose and phytohormone interplay in controlling root directional growth in Arabidopsis.

Sensing and responding toward gravity vector is a complicated and multistep process. Gravity is a constant factor feeding plants with reliable information for the spatial orientation of their organs. Auxin, cytokinin, ethylene and BRs have been the most explored hormones in relation to gravitropism.

Regulation of MAP kinase signaling cascade by microRNAs in Oryza sativa.

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is one of the most conserved signaling cascade in plants regulating a plethora of cellular processes including normal growth and development, abiotic and biotic stress responses. The perception of external cues triggers the phosphorylation of three tier MAPKKK-MAPKK-MAPK cascade which finally modifies a downstream substrate thereby regulating the cellular processes. Whereas, the transcription regulation by MAPKs, mediated through their substrates is well studied in plants, the transcription and post-transcriptional regulation of the MAPK genes are poorly understood.

Phytochemical and medicinal importance of Ginkgo biloba L.

Ginkgo biloba L., also popularly known as living fossil, possesses a variety of biological and pharmacological activities. The leaf extract of G.