T. Higashiyama

Simple prerequisite of presequence for mitochondrial protein import in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae

The paper investigates mitochondrial protein import in Cyanidioschyzon merolae by designing synthetic targeting peptides and showing that basic residues and specific amino acid composition are sufficient for import, with a simplified authentication mechanism involving TOM22.

Cluster effect through the oligomerisation of bioactive disaccharide AMOR on pollen tube capacitation in Torenia fournieri

The paper shows that oligomerizing AMOR enhances its biological activity and mimics native AMOR's effect on pollen tube capacitation in Torenia fournieri.

Microfluidic device for simple diagnosis of plant growth condition by detecting miRNAs from filtered plant extracts

This paper develops a microfluidic device to detect miR399 in plant extracts for early diagnosis of phosphorus deficiency stress.

Transcriptomic landscape of seedstick in Arabidopsis thaliana funiculus after fertilisation

This study performs transcriptomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana funiculus in stk mutants to identify deregulated genes and processes involved in seed development.

The Chaperone NASP Contributes to De Novo Deposition of the Centromeric Histone Variant CENH3 in Arabidopsis Early Embryogenesis

This study identifies the role of NASP in de novo CENH3 deposition during Arabidopsis early embryogenesis and shows its species-specific interaction with CENH3.

Seed size control via phloem end by callose deposition/degradation of β-1,3-glucanase

The paper identifies a mechanism for seed size regulation through callose deposition/degradation at the phloem end of the ovule, mediated by β-1,3-glucanase genes.

Swimming ability and flagellar motility of sperm packets of the volvocine green alga Pleodorina starrii

This study quantifies the motility differences between sperm packets and asexual colonies of Pleodorina starrii, revealing distinct flagellar waveform patterns and motility characteristics.

HISTONE DEACETYLASE 19 REGULATES SHOOT MERISTEMLESS EXPRESSION IN THE CARPEL MARGIN MERISTEM CONTRIBUTING TO OVULE NUMBER DETERMINATION AND TRANSMITTING TRACT DIFFERENTIATION

This study identifies HDA19's role in downregulating STM in the CMM to enable ovule formation and transmitting tract differentiation in Arabidopsis.

Deep imaging revealed dynamics and signaling in one-to-one pollen tube guidance

The paper uses two-photon imaging to study pollen tube dynamics and signaling in one-to-one fertilization of ovules in angiosperms, revealing spatiotemporal regulation mechanisms.

F-actin regulates polarized secretion of pollen tube attractants in Arabidopsis synergid cell.

This study shows F-actin is essential for polarized secretion of attractants in Arabidopsis synergid cells, affecting pollen tube guidance.

Chemical screen of Arabidopsis zygote and proteomics in tobacco BY-2 cells identify general plant cell division inhibitors

The paper identifies two plant cell division inhibitors through chemical screening in Arabidopsis zygotes and validates their effects in tobacco BY-2 cells and multiple plant species.

IZUMO1 is a sperm fusogen

This study identifies IZUMO1 as a unilateral gamete fusogen, showing it can induce cell fusion independently of JUNO binding.

Plasma membrane damage limits replicative lifespan in yeast and induces premature senescence in human fibroblasts

This study shows plasma membrane damage limits replicative lifespan in yeast and induces premature senescence in human fibroblasts through the ESCRT pathway and Ca2+-p53 axis.

Pilot study: Trehalose-induced remodelling of the human microbiota affects Clostridioides difficile infection outcome in an in vitro colonic model

This study shows that trehalose supplementation remodels the human gut microbiota, preventing simulated Clostridioides difficile infection in an in vitro model.

Detection of a biolistic delivery of fluorescent markers and CRISPR/Cas9 to the pollen tube

This study delivers CRISPR/Cas9 and fluorescent markers to pollen tubes using biolistic delivery, demonstrating successful gene editing and marker expression in male germ cells.

Dynamics of the cell fate specifications during female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis

This study visualizes female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis and identifies when and how cell fates are determined during its formation.

Cell-cell adhesion in plant grafting is facilitated by β-1,4-glucanases

This study identifies β-1,4-glucanases as facilitators of cell-cell adhesion in plant grafting, showing their role in promoting compatibility across species.

Micrografting device for testing environmental conditions for grafting and systemic signaling in Arabidopsis

The paper develops a micrografting chip to simplify and improve the efficiency of micrografting in Arabidopsis for studying systemic signaling.

KAKU4-mediated deformation of the vegetative nucleus controls its precedent migration over sperm cells in pollen tubes

This study shows that KAKU4 controls vegetative nucleus shape, influencing its migration order over sperm cells in pollen tubes and affecting pollen competitiveness.

A peptide pair coordinates regular ovule initiation patterns with seed number and fruit size

This study identifies two peptides, EPFL2 and EPFL9, and their receptors that coordinate ovule spacing, seed number, and fruit size in Arabidopsis thaliana through auxin feedback.