Functions of triacylglycerols during plant development and stress. Yang Yang,Benning Christoph Current opinion in biotechnology Plant oil in the form of triacylglycerols (TAGs) is a major storage compound used as food, feed and sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. Recent findings suggest that TAGs are more than a carbon and energy reserve in seeds and other storage tissues. In vegetative tissues, TAG metabolism is involved in cell division and expansion, stomatal opening, and membrane lipid remodeling. Moreover, in reproductive tissues, TAGs are important for both organ formation and successful pollination. Here we provide a brief overview of the physiological function and contribution of TAGs during plant development under optimal and varying environmental conditions. These roles of TAGs need to be considered during engineering attempts to further improve TAG content in different tissues. 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.09.003

PIN proteins and the evolution of plant development. Bennett Tom Trends in plant science Many aspects of development in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana involve regulated distribution of the hormone auxin by the PIN-FORMED (PIN) family of auxin efflux carriers. The role of PIN-mediated auxin transport in other plants is not well understood, but studies in a wider range of species have begun to illuminate developmental mechanisms across land plants. In this review, I discuss recent progress in understanding the evolution of PIN-mediated auxin transport, and its role in development across the green plant lineage. I also discuss the idea that changes in auxin biology led to morphological novelty in plant development: currently available evidence suggests major innovations in auxin transport are rare and not associated with the evolution of new developmental mechanisms. 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.05.005

Auxin-Regulated Lateral Root Organogenesis. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology Plant fitness is largely dependent on the root, the underground organ, which, besides its anchoring function, supplies the plant body with water and all nutrients necessary for growth and development. To exploit the soil effectively, roots must constantly integrate environmental signals and react through adjustment of growth and development. Important components of the root management strategy involve a rapid modulation of the root growth kinetics and growth direction, as well as an increase of the root system radius through formation of lateral roots (LRs). At the molecular level, such a fascinating growth and developmental flexibility of root organ requires regulatory networks that guarantee stability of the developmental program but also allows integration of various environmental inputs. The plant hormone auxin is one of the principal endogenous regulators of root system architecture by controlling primary root growth and formation of LR. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding molecular networks where auxin is one of the main players shaping the root system and acting as mediator between endogenous cues and environmental factors. 10.1101/cshperspect.a039941

Updates on molecular mechanisms in the development of branched trichome in Arabidopsis and nonbranched in cotton. Plant biotechnology journal Trichomes are specialized epidermal cells and a vital plant organ that protect plants from various harms and provide valuable resources for plant development and use. Some key genes related to trichomes have been identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana through glabrous mutants and gene cloning, and the hub MYB-bHLH-WD40, consisting of several factors including GLABRA1 (GL1), GL3, TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1), and ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3), has been established. Subsequently, some upstream transcription factors, phytohormones and epigenetic modification factors have also been studied in depth. In cotton, a very important fibre and oil crop globally, in addition to the key MYB-like factors, more important regulators and potential molecular mechanisms (e.g. epigenetic modifiers, distinct metabolic pathways) are being exploited during different fibre developmental stages. This occurs due to increased cotton research, resulting in the discovery of more complex regulation mechanisms from the allotetraploid genome of cotton. In addition, some conservative as well as specific mediators are involved in trichome development in other species. This study summarizes molecular mechanisms in trichome development and provides a detailed comparison of the similarities and differences between Arabidopsis and cotton, analyses the possible reasons for the discrepancy in identification of regulators, and raises future questions and foci for understanding trichome development in more detail. 10.1111/pbi.13167