Serious allergic reactions are increasing globally. Within this context, fatal anaphylaxis from hazelnut allergies is a critical public health concern. Hazelnuts, which are a common ingredient of many foods, contain many proteins that cause severe allergic reactions. Hazelnuts from all of the major commercial growing locations worldwide contained Spirosoma pollinicola sp. proteins. This endotoxin-producing bacterium is linked to the allergenicity of hazelnut pollen. We were unable to remove the contamination by S. pollinicola proteins, showing that this bacterium is a seed endosymbiont. Comparative proteomics revealed significant variations in the allergenic protein composition of nuts that correlated with patient immune responses. Hazelnuts from provenances 17 and 18 exhibited lower levels of key antigens, particularly Cor a 9 and Cor a 14, highlighting their potential as candidates for genetic modification to mitigate allergenicity. Moreover, Spirosoma protein persistence may influence hazelnut allergenicity and the patient's immune response.

The superoxide radical anion is a fundamental reactive oxygen species, with important functions in plant growth, development and stress responses. A search for ‘superoxide anion’ and ‘plant’ in PubMed retrieved 3,327 publications since the year 2000, with 87 of these publications in 2025 through June. Unfortunately, despite the biological ubiquity of the superoxide anion, inconsistent and chemically inaccurate notation widely persists in the plant biological literature. This Comment clarifies the correct notation for the superoxide anion (O 2 •− ), highlights widespread errors and urges standardization to prevent scientific ambiguity.

The free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) site at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) is situated in a long-established mature, temperate oak-dominated forest. Over the past 8 years, these tree species have been exposed to elevated CO2 (eCO2 target: 150 ppm above ambient). The observed eCO2 fertilization effect is significant in the mature oak trees, with sustained increases in photosynthesis and stem dry matter production. The fine root standing crop was greater in the eCO2 plots, and carbon exudation flux was greatly increased, stimulating soil gross nitrogen (N) mineralization, enhanced microbial activity, and enzyme functions. Nitrification was suppressed, particularly in the rhizosphere, pointing towards ecosystem N conservation strategies. Alongside the positive forest productivity response, however, comes evidence of nascent ecosystem fragility, including susceptibility to powdery mildew and insect herbivory that is unchanged in the mature trees but increased in seedlings. Changes to invertebrate food webs were observed, including flower-pollinator phenologies and detritivore abundances. Pollen and flower mineral contents were significantly reduced under eCO2, and acorns contained significantly less protein but more phytic acid, suggesting a carbon-rich, nutrient-poor, future diet for animals and insects in natural forest ecosystems.

Journal Article Improving crop nutrient status: discovery, innovation, and translation Get access Robert D Hancock, Robert D Hancock Cell and Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UKThe Advanced Plant Growth Centre, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Raul Huertas, Raul Huertas The Advanced Plant Growth Centre, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UKEnvironmental and Biochemical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Derek Stewart, Derek Stewart The Advanced Plant Growth Centre, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UKEnvironmental and Biochemical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Christine H Foyer Christine H Foyer School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 76, Issue 5, 13 March 2025, Pages 1353–1356, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraf003 Published: 13 March 2025 Article history Received: 04 January 2025 Accepted: 06 January 2025 Published: 13 March 2025

The shoot apex is a critical determinant of plant growth, development, morphology, and yield. The G protein β subunit (Gβ) is an essential regulator of apical meristem dynamics, yet its precise mechanism of action remains unclear, with notable interspecific variation. This study reveals that in the dicot tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Gβ subunit mutants (Slgb1) display abnormal shoot morphogenesis and, in severe cases, shoot apex death. Such a phenotype has also been observed in monocot species like maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), but not in the model dicot Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Using integrated multi-omics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we identified a significant upregulation in tyramine-derived phenolamides in Slgb1 mutants, particularly N-p-trans-coumaroyltyramine (N-P-CT) and N-trans-feruloyltyramine (N-FT). Biochemical and genetic assays pinpointed tyramine hydroxycinnamoyl transferases (THTs) as the enzymes catalyzing N-P-CT and N-FT biosynthesis, with THT8 overexpression inducing shoot apex death. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the presence of a THT-mediated tyramine-derived phenolamide metabolic pathway in species exhibiting gb1 mutant-associated apex death, which is notably absent in Arabidopsis. Protein interaction assays showed that SlGB1 interacts with bHLH79 at the cell membrane and cytoplasm, thereby attenuating the bHLH79-MYB10 interaction within the nucleus, leading to altered THT expression and phenolamide biosynthesis. This study unravels the molecular mechanisms by which SlGB1 governs tomato shoot apex growth and development, highlighting interspecific differences critical for developing breeding strategies aimed at optimizing shoot apex architecture.

In this commentary, we highlight the importance of LDH in the modulation of several crucial metabolic pathways for submergence tolerance in rice

Uncovering the metabolic and molecular mechanisms involved in plant responses to drought and subsequent recovery, is essential to identify drought tolerance mechanisms that can be used to improve crop plants. Here we combine plant physiology and biochemistry, with gene expression, quantitative proteomics and metabolite profiling to identify the genetic and metabolic networks that operate in plants experiencing and recovering from drought. Network analysis of transcripts, proteins and metabolites revealed that certain biological processes such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle and lipid metabolism had a strong impact on the overall control of leaf responses to drought and recovery. The stimulation of carbohydrate oxidation pathways is demonstrated to be a key node in the generation of energy and precursors required to support diverse survival pathways of defence.

Maintaining robust plant vigor is essential for sustaining crop productivity, yet the precise roles and molecular underpinnings of G protein γ subunits in this process remain elusive. This study reveals that GGC1 is under selection during tomato domestication, and its mutants exhibit enhanced plant vigor, characterized by superior growth, increased yield, and improved fruit quality. In contrast, triple mutants gga1/ggb1/ggb2 display severely compromised vigor resembling slgb1 mutants lacking the Gβ subunit. Protein assays reveal that GGC1 suppresses the interaction between the three Gγ subunits (GGA1, GGB1, and GGB2) and SlGB1. Further, GGC1 inhibits calcium-dependent protein kinase 28 (CPK28)-mediated phosphorylation of aquaporin plasma membrane intrinsic protein 1;2 (PIP1;2) at the T172 site. Downstream of GGC1, both CPK28 and PIP1;2 positively regulate plant vigor by enhancing photosynthesis. These findings illuminate the functional divergence among G proteins in controlling crop vigor, offering potential strategies to engineer high-yield germplasm with enhanced CO2 assimilation and photosynthetic efficiency.

While the global increases in atmospheric CO2 levels have had a beneficial effect on plant growth, the negative impacts of this CO2 fertilization effect on seed quality are often overlooked. Using data from acorns produced by mature oak (Quercus robur) trees in the eighth year of eCO2, we present evidence of negative consequences for seed quality. The acorns produced by the near-200-yr-old oak trees under eCO2 at the free air carbon dioxide enrichment facility at the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) had higher phytate levels but decreased protein content. Quantitative label-free proteomics identified 335 proteins in all acorns, but 9 proteins were undetectable in acorns produced under eCO2 compared to ambient air (aCO2), and 1 protein was uniquely detected in the eCO2 acorns. Further subsets of proteins were identified with either higher or lower abundance in eCO2 than aCO2 acorns. Proteins that were more abundant in the acorns produced under eCO2 include allene oxide cyclase and phosphomannomutase. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 154 transcripts were more abundant in the eCO2 acorns compared to those grown under aCO2, while 54 were much less abundant. Transcripts encoding several transcription factors and phytohormone signaling proteins, as well as trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase, were increased in eCO2 acorns. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the transcriptome and proteome profiles of acorns produced under eCO2 are significantly changed compared to those produced in aCO2, with important implications for seed metabolism, particularly those underpinning the observed changes in seed protein and phytate levels.

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates stomatal initiation, proliferation, and function but the precise mechanisms of action remain poorly documented. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Wang et al. show that NO-mediated S-nitrosylation inhibits the phosphorylation activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase 6, allowing stabilization of the SPEECHLESS transcription factor and promoting stomatal development.

Plants have evolved sophisticated defense systems to protect against herbivory, including the systemic induction of jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. Here, we report that root-knot nematode (RKN) attack induced a phyB-dependent accumulation of ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) in the leaves, which activates the expression of JA biosynthesis genes and HY5 itself in tomato. In addition, the systemic transmission of GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-LIKE 3.5 (GLR3.5)-dependent electrical signals induced by RKN triggers the physical interaction between CALMODULIN 2 (CaM2) and HY5 to amplify the transcriptional regulation of HY5 and JA synthesis. HY5 functions as a systemic signal that moves from leaves to roots to maintain the electrical signaling from roots to leaves by activating GLR3.5 expression. Together, these results reveal a HY5-dependent systemic signaling cascade that integrates light and electrical signals to activate JA-mediated defense against nematodes in tomato.

Although significant advances have been achieved in the biofortification of common beans to overcome deficiencies in Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. We thus explored the relationships between phosphorus nutrition and Zn and Fe accumulation in four bean genotypes (Edar, Nizok, Colorado and Chimbolos) that nominally show differences in seed Fe and Zn accumulation. In contrast to other genotypes, while phosphorus availability had no effect on seed Fe accumulation, phosphorus and phytate levels were decreased in all lines under phosphorus deficiency. Edar plants had a higher seed yield under low phosphorus conditions than the other lines. Analysis of the seed proteome also revealed that Edar is highly resistant to phosphorus deficiency, with similar seed Fe accumulation but lower phytate levels. The phytic acid-to-Fe molar ratios in Edar seeds produced under low phosphorus nutrition were only twice those of the low phytic acid (lpa) beans that have a 90% lower phytic acid content compared to conventional beans. Proteome analysis revealed that sucrose metabolism and phosphate cycling are shifted in the lpa beans. We conclude that a tolerance to phosphate deficiency, particularly in terms of regulation of phosphate cycling and transport pathways, contributes to decreased seed phytic acid-to-Fe molar ratios.

Phase separation of proteins into membraneless compartments is emerging as an important mechanism of plant developmental and stress responses. We show Arabidopsis catalase 2 (CAT2) is recruited to phase-separated condensates with LESION SIMULATING DISEASE1 (LSD1), a plant-specific regulator of programmed cell death, in a redox-dependent manner that regulates its intracellular localisation and activity. Using recombinant proteins, we showed that CAT2 and LSD1 form ternary complexes with the peroxisome import receptor PEX5. The ability of LSD1 to form phase-separated condensates is a property of zinc fingers 1 and 2. The interactions between all three proteins and the fluidity of the LSD1 condensates are redox-regulated. Using confocal microscopy, the in vivo trafficking of CAT2 to peroxisomes and the nuclei was shown to be redox-regulated, and LSD1 was shown to control CAT2 localisation in vivo. We propose a model whereby the redox-dependent differential accessibility of CAT2, PEX5 and LSD1 within condensates not only regulates CAT2 activity but also compartmentalisation between peroxisome, cytosol and nucleus. Relocation of catalase to the nucleus may provide protection to nuclear processes under conditions of biotic stress.

The WHIRLY (WHY) DNA/RNA binding proteins fulfil multiple but poorly characterised functions in leaf development. WHY1 transcript levels were highest in the bases of 7-day old barley leaves. Immunogold labelling revealed that the WHY1 protein was more abundant in the nuclei than the proplastids of the leaf bases. Transcript and metabolite profiling analysis of barley lines (W1-1 and W1-7) lacking WHY1, which show delayed greening compared to the wild type. While the transcript profile of leaf development was largely unchanged in W1-1 and W1-7 leaves, there were differences in levels of several transcripts encoding transcription factors associated with chloroplast development. These include a barley homologue of the Arabidopsis GATA transcription factor that regulates stomatal development, greening and chloroplast development, NAC1, two transcripts with similarity to Arabidopsis GLK1 and two transcripts encoding ARF transcriptions factors with functions in leaf morphogenesis and development. Chloroplast proteins were less abundant in the W1-1 and W1-7 leaves than the wildtype. The levels of TCA cycle metabolites and GABA were significantly lower in WHY1 knockdown leaves than the wild type. We conclude that WHY1 functions in the nuclei of the cells in the leaf bases contributes to the regulation of chloroplast development.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is one of the world's most important sources of oil and vegetable protein. Much of the energy required for germination and early growth of soybean seeds is stored in fatty acids, mainly as triacylglycerols (TAGs), and the main seed storage proteins are β-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S). Recent research advances have deepened our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways and transcriptional regulatory networks that control fatty acid and protein synthesis in organelles such as the plastid, ribosome and endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we review the composition and biosynthetic pathways of soybean oils and proteins, summarizing the key enzymes and transcription factors that have recently been shown to regulate oil and protein synthesis/metabolism. We then discuss the newest genomic strategies for manipulating these genes to increase the food value of soybeans, highlighting important priorities for future research and genetic improvement of this staple crop.

Plants are an intrinsic part of the soil community and the “one health concept” considers that human health is intimately connected to the health of animals, plants, and microbial environments. Plant-microbe interactions are a cornerstone of one health, the soil microbiome being comprised of a diverse range of organisms, interacts in the rhizosphere through continuous molecular communications. Soils are a source and reservoir of pathogens, as well as beneficial microorganisms. Hence, the molecular dialogue at the rhizosphere interface is crucial not only for successful plant-microbe interactions but also for crop resilience and stress tolerance. The plant-microbe continuum forms a network of underground “nutrient highways” that benefit both plant and microbial communities. It also serves as a significant sink for atmospheric CO . While microbial diversity is generally positively associated with one health, the host range of beneficial microbes currently limits their successful exploitation with a wide range of microbial communities. We consider the possibility of increasing the host range of beneficial microbes, including arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and rhizobia, and how current genetic incompatibility and/or activation of robust plant defenses, can be overcome while accepting that significant challenges exist in translating laboratory findings into the field. We consider why AMF inoculants and plant growth-promoting microbes are not always beneficial under field conditions and suggest possible approaches for tailoring plant-microbe interactions to assist plant breeding efforts in crop resilience.

ELONGATED HYPOCOTOYL5 (HY5) and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs) are two types of important light-related regulators of plant growth, however, their interplay remains elusive. Here, we report that the activated tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) HY5 (SlHY5) triggers the transcription of a Calcium-dependent Protein Kinase SlCPK27 . SlCPK27 interacts with and phosphorylates SlPIF4 at Ser-252 and Ser-308 phosphosites to promote its degradation. SlPIF4 promotes hypocotyl elongation mainly by activating the transcription of SlDWF , a key gene in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis. Such a SlHY5-SlCPK27-SlPIF4-BR cascade not only plays a crucial role in photomorphogenesis but also regulates thermomorphogenesis. Our results uncover a previously unidentified mechanism that integrates Ca 2+ signaling with the light signaling pathways to regulate plant growth by modulating BR biosynthesis in response to changes in ambient light and temperature.

Hypoxia occurs when oxygen levels fall below the levels required for mitochondria to support respiration. Regulated hypoxia is associated with quiescence, particularly in storage organs (seeds) and stem cell niches. In contrast, environmentally induced hypoxia poses significant challenges for metabolically active cells that are adapted to aerobic respiration. The perception of oxygen availability through cysteine oxidases, which function as oxygen-sensing enzymes in plants that control the N-degron pathway, and the regulation of hypoxia-responsive genes and processes is essential to survival. Functioning together with reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), S-nitrosothiols (SNOs), and peroxynitrite (ONOO-), hypoxia signaling pathways trigger anatomical adaptations such as formation of aerenchyma, mobilization of sugar reserves for anaerobic germination, formation of aerial adventitious roots, and the hyponastic response. NO and H2O2 participate in local and systemic signaling pathways that facilitate acclimation to changing energetic requirements, controlling glycolytic fermentation, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt, and amino acid synthesis. NO enhances antioxidant capacity and contributes to the recycling of redox equivalents in energy metabolism through the phytoglobin (Pgb)-NO cycle. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the central role of NO and redox regulation in adaptive responses that prevent hypoxia-induced death in challenging conditions such as flooding. Nitric oxide plays an important role in regulation of redox and energy metabolism to improve plant tolerance to hypoxia induced during development and waterlogging or submergence.