M. D. Zurbriggen

Blue light promotes ascorbate synthesis by deactivating the PAS/LOV photoreceptor that inhibits GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase

The paper identifies a photoreceptor, PLP, that inhibits ascorbate biosynthesis by interacting with GGP, and shows blue light deactivates PLP to promote ascorbate synthesis in tomato.

Engineering and implementation of synthetic molecular tools in the basidiomycete fungus Ustilago maydis

This study implements and characterizes synthetic molecular tools in Ustilago maydis for improved reporter gene expression and in planta detection of fungal infection.

Canonical Strigolactones Are Not the Tillering-Inhibitory Hormone but Rhizospheric Signals in Rice

This study shows canonical strigolactones in rice are not responsible for shoot branching inhibition but act as rhizospheric signals to influence Striga germination and mycorrhizal colonization.

A fungal endophyte-generated nucleoside signal regulates host cell death and promotes root colonization

This study identifies fungal enzymes that produce a metabolite triggering plant cell death, which is essential for fungal colonization of roots.

COP1 destabilizes DELLA proteins in Arabidopsis

This paper shows that COP1 destabilizes DELLA proteins in Arabidopsis through ubiquitination, independent of gibberellin signaling, and this process is relevant for growth responses to shade and warm temperature.

Flexibility of intrinsically disordered degrons in AUX/IAA proteins reinforces auxin co-receptor assemblies

The paper investigates how flexible intrinsically disordered regions in AUX/IAA proteins modulate auxin receptor assemblies by positioning AUX/IAAs on TIR1 for ubiquitylation.

Shade-avoidance responses become more aggressive in warm environments

This study shows that higher temperatures increase shade-avoidance responses in Arabidopsis thaliana, while irradiance and thermal amplitude do not affect this response.

Optogenetic control shows that kinetic proofreading regulates the activity of the T cell receptor

The study shows that the half-life of the ligand-T cell receptor complex determines T cell activation, supporting the kinetic proofreading model.