Biology subjects

Formentin, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Formentin, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The phytolongin AtPhyl2.1 is involved in cell plate formation and root development

SNAREs are critical elements of the membrane trafficking machinery with a wide variety of functionality across this family of proteins. Phytolongins are a recently identified subfamily of longins which possess the typical longin domain but lack a SNARE motif. Phytolongins have an ubiquitous tissue expression in Arabidopsis and are distributed throughout the secretory pathway. We focused on Phytolongin 2.1 (PHYL2.1) which localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, and observed a strong root growth phenotype in the loss-of-function Atphyl2.1-1 mutant. We demonstrate that whilst cell elongation efficiency was not affected in the mutant, cell division was significantly reduced. The resulting decrease in root length in the Atphyl2.1-1 mutant is explained by a smaller number of cells which then elongate to enable root growth. Root apical meristem architecture of Atphyl2.1-1 and another mutant Atphyl2.1-2 was disturbed and distances from the root quiescent center to the transition zone and the first areas of mis-organized cells were affected in both mutants. Investigation of the SNARE AtKNOLLE revealed significant perturbation of Atphyl2.1-1 cell plate formation in the mis-organised areas. Our results provide a first characterization of the phytolongin AtPHYL2.1 which appears involved in root cell plate formation, root cell division and therefore root development. HighlightThe phytolongin AtPHYL2.1 significantly affects the efficiency of cell plate formation and root development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Impact of mutations in the HEADING DATE 1 gene on transcription and cell wall composition of rice

Plants utilize environmental information to modify their developmental trajectories for optimal survival and reproduction. Over a century ago, day length (photoperiod) was identified as a major factor influencing developmental transitions, particularly the shift from vegetative to reproductive growth. In rice, exposure to day lengths shorter than a critical threshold accelerates flowering, while longer days inhibit this process. This response is mediated by HEADING DATE 1 (Hd1), a zinc finger transcription factor that is central in the photoperiodic flowering network. Hd1 acts as a repressor of flowering under long days but functions as a promoter of flowering under short days. However, the transcriptional organization of this dual function is still not fully understood. In this study, we utilized RNA-Seq to analyze the transcriptome of hd1 mutants under both long and short day conditions. We identified genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway that are deregulated under long days in the mutant. Quantitative profiling of cell wall components and abiotic stress assays suggest that Hd1 is involved in processes considered unrelated to flowering control. This indicates that day length perception and responses are intertwined with physiological processes beyond flowering.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Innovation, conservation and repurposing of gene function in plant root cell type development

Plant species have evolved myriads of solutions to adapt to dynamic environments, including complex cell type development and regulation. To understand this diversity, we profiled tomato root cell type translatomes and chromatin accessibility. Using xylem differentiation in tomato, relative to Arabidopsis, examples of functional innovation, repurposing and conservation of transcription factors are described. Repurposing and innovation of genes are further observed within an exodermis regulatory network and illustrate its function. Translatome analyses of rice, tomato and Arabidopsis tissues suggest that root meristems are more conserved, and that the functions of constitutively expressed genes are more conserved than those of cell type/tissue-enriched genes. These observations suggest that higher-order properties of cell type and pan-cell type regulation are conserved between plants and animals. One Sentence SummaryPan-species cell type translatome and chromatin accessibility data reveal novelty, conservation and repurposing of gene function.

genomics↗