This study identifies HDA19-mediated deacetylation of histone H3.3 lysine 27 and 36 as a regulator of plant salt stress tolerance through LEA protein accumulation.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Jul 13, 2026Peer-reviewedPlant Biology

TCP3-mediated regulation of cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana

Tomotsugu Koyama, Tadashi Kunieda, Hiromi Toyonaga, Mika Nobuhara, Nobutaka Mitsuda, Kouichi Soga, Junko Ishida, Motoaki Seki, Koji U. Takahashi, Toshinori Kinoshita, Ayumu Bessho, Taku Demura, Masaru Ohme‐Takagi

This study identifies TCPs as regulators of cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana by promoting apoplast acidification through SAURs and H+-ATPases.

New Phytologist · Oct 5, 2025Peer-reviewedPlant Biology

DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION 1-mediated epigenetic regulation maintains gene expression balance required for heterosis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Kodai Matsuo, Rui Wu, Hiroto Yonechi, Terumi Murakami, Satoshi Takahashi, Asuka Kamio, Mst. Arjina Akter, Yoshiki Kamiya, Keita Nishimura, Takakazu Matsuura, Kaoru Tonosaki, Motoki Shimizu, Yoko Ikeda, Hisato Kobayashi, Motoaki Seki, , Ryo Fujimoto

This study shows that loss of DDM1 reduces biomass heterosis in Arabidopsis hybrids by disrupting DNA methylation and transcriptome stability, revealing a salicylic acid-independent epigenetic mechanism.

bioRxiv · Aug 21, 2025 · PreprintPlant Biology

Decrease in Purifying Selection Pressures on Wheat Homoeologous Genes: Tetraploidization vs Hexaploidization

Akihiro Ezoe, Daisuke Todaka, Yoshinori Utsumi, Satoshi Takahashi, Kanako Kawaura, Motoaki Seki

The paper compares the impact of tetraploidization and hexaploidization on selection pressures of homoeologous genes in wheat, finding tetraploidization has a greater effect.

The Plant Journal · Oct 20, 2024Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology