A. K. Maurya

xbx-4, a homolog of the Joubert syndrome gene FAM149B1, acts via the CCRK and MAK kinase cascade to regulate cilia morphology

This study identifies XBX-4 as a regulator of the CCRK/MAK kinase pathway in C. elegans, showing it controls cilia morphology and that mutations in its DUF3719 domain cause ciliary elongation.

Acute toxicity of the plant volatile indole depends on herbivore specialization

This study measures the direct toxicity of six herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) against caterpillars, finding that indole is the most toxic and its effect varies with insect host specialization.

Plant seeds are primed by herbivore-induced plant volatiles

The paper investigates how seed exposure to herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) affects growth, reproduction, and defense in Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula, finding that specific HIPVs like indole reduce herbivore performance without affecting defense gene induction.