This study identifies CpPT4, a membrane-bound aromatic O-prenyltransferase involved in auraptene biosynthesis in citrus, and shows its functional and evolutionary significance.

bioRxiv · Jul 27, 2026 · PreprintBiochemistry

From model to field: predictive design of microbial communities for resilient crop performance

Shinichi Yamazaki, Masaru Nakayasu, Keiko Kanai, Rie Mizuno, Rumi Kaida, Sachiko Masuda, Arisa Shibata, Ken Shirasu, Atsushi J. Nagano, Yoshiharu Fujii, Akifumi Sugiyama, Yuichi Aoki

The paper develops a predictive framework to design synthetic microbial communities for crop resilience, showing improved plant growth and heat tolerance in field and lab tests.

bioRxiv · Oct 21, 2025 · PreprintSystems Biology

Parallel evolution of UbiA superfamily proteins into aromatic O-prenyltransferases in plants

Ryosuke Munakata, Alexandre Olry, Tomoya Takemura, Kanade Tatsumi, Takuji Ichino, Cloé Villard, Joji Kageyama, Tetsuya Kurata, Masaru Nakayasu, Florence Jacob, Takao Koeduka, Hirobumi Yamamoto, Eiko Moriyoshi, Tetsuya Matsukawa, Jeremy Grosjean, , Kazufumi Yazaki

The paper identifies two aromatic O-prenyltransferase genes from distant plant species, showing parallel evolution of UbiA superfamily proteins into O-PTs.

bioRxiv · Jul 7, 2020Plant Biology