Byung‐Ho Kang

Ubiquitination-mediated mitochondrial protein degradation ensures seedling emergence by regulating ER-mitochondrial interaction and mitophagy

This study identifies SPL2 as a mitochondrial E3 ligase that regulates seedling emergence by controlling ER-mitochondrial interactions and mitophagy through ubiquitination of mitochondrial proteins.

Cross-species interactome analysis uncovers a conserved selective autophagy mechanism for protein quality control in plants

The paper identifies a conserved selective autophagy receptor, CESAR, critical for proteostasis under heat stress in plants through cross-species interactome analysis.

Nonuple atg8 mutant provides genetic evidence for functional specialization of ATG8 isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana

The paper shows that different ATG8 isoforms in Arabidopsis have specialized functions in autophagy, as demonstrated by a mutant lacking all nine isoforms and complementation experiments.

Voltage-dependent anion channels are mitophagy receptors mediating the recycling of depolarized mitochondria in Arabidopsis

This study identifies VDAC1, VDAC2, and VDAC3 as mitophagy receptors in Arabidopsis, facilitating ATG8 recruitment to depolarized mitochondria during uncoupler-induced mitophagy.

PITPβ promotes COPI vesicle fission through lipid transfer and membrane contact formation

The paper identifies PITPβ's role in COPI vesicle fission by delivering phosphatidylcholine through membrane contacts, revealing a mechanism for lipid transfer in intracellular transport.

Root Cap-Specific Transcriptomics Identify the NAC Transcription Factor SOMBRERO as a Versatile Regulator of Auxin Gradients

The paper identifies the NAC transcription factor SOMBRERO as a regulator of auxin gradients in the root cap through transcriptomic analysis of wild-type and mutant root caps.

Metabolic enzymes moonlight as selective autophagy receptors to protect plants against viral-induced cellular damage

This study shows that metabolic enzymes act as autophagy receptors in plants to degrade defense executors during viral infection, revealing autophagy as a tolerance pathway rather than an antiviral defense.