Complex regulation of the FRD3 gene in Arabidopsis relatives

Poster (2013, April 18)

Structural and functional characterization of the Arabidopsis halleri HMA4 N-terminal domain

Poster (2013, February 26)

Zinc hyperaccumulation: a model to examine metal homeostasis in plants

Scientific conference (2012, December 05)

Zinc hyperaccumulation: a model to examine metal homeostasis in plants

Scientific conference (2012, September 28)

Zinc hyperaccumulation: a model to examine metal homeostasis in plants

Conference (2012, September 20)

The plant Arabidopsis halleri exhibits naturally selected metal hypertolerance and extraordinarily high levels of leaf metal accumulation. Metal hyperaccumulator species attract interest as they represent ... [more ▼]

The plant Arabidopsis halleri exhibits naturally selected metal hypertolerance and extraordinarily high levels of leaf metal accumulation. Metal hyperaccumulator species attract interest as they represent an extreme end of natural variation of the metal homeostasis network. This might be useful to reveal the global functioning of metal homeostasis networks and uncover key nodes whose alterations can drastically modify metal accumulation and tolerance. In addition, metal hyperaccumulation is a compelling model to study adaptation. In the last few years, major progress has been achieved in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying metal hyperaccumulation in A. halleri. High rates of metal uptake by roots, root-to-shoot translocation and efficient shoot vacuolar sequestration play central roles in determining hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance. Enhanced functions of several metal transporter-encoding genes result from gene copy number amplification and/or (cis)-regulatory changes. We will describe the function of several transporters in zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance, and in the adjustment of nutrient homeostasis in A. halleri. Recent work aiming to determine if selection acted during the evolutionary history of A. halleri on a loci required for metal tolerance and accumulation will be presented. [less ▲]

Functional study of Arabidopsis thaliana ASF/SF2-like pre-mRNA SR splicing factors

Poster (2012, July 04)

A single ancient origin for prototypical SR splicing factors

in Plant Physiology (2012), 158(2), 546-560

Eukaryotic pre-mRNA splicing is a process involving a very complex RNA-protein edifice. Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins play essential roles in pre-mRNA constitutive and alternative splicing, and have ... [more ▼]

Eukaryotic pre-mRNA splicing is a process involving a very complex RNA-protein edifice. Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins play essential roles in pre-mRNA constitutive and alternative splicing, and have been suggested to be crucial in plant-specific forms of developmental regulation and environmental adaptation. Despite their functional importance, little is known about their origin and evolutionary history. SR splicing factors have a modular organization featuring at least one RRM domain and a C-terminal region enriched in Ser/Arg dipeptides. To investigate the evolution of SR proteins, we infer phylogenies for >12,000 RRM domains representing >200 broadly sampled organisms. Our analyses reveal that the RRM domain is not restricted to eukaryotes and that all prototypical SR proteins share a single ancient origin, including the plant-specific SR45 protein. Based on these findings, we propose a scenario for their diversification into four natural families, each corresponding to a main SR architecture, and a dozen subfamilies, of which we profile both sequence conservation and composition. Finally, using operational criteria for computational discovery and classification, we catalogue SR proteins in 20 model organisms, with a focus on green algae and land plants. Altogether, our study confirms the homogeneity and antiquity of SR splicing factors, while establishing robust phylogenetic relationships between animal and plant proteins, which should enable functional analyses of lesser characterized SR family members, especially in green plants. [less ▲]

Insight into the structural factors that modulate the metal binding affinity of the Arabidospsis halleri HMA4

Conference (2011, October 14)

Promoter analysis of the three HMA4 copies in the zinc hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri

Poster (2011, August)

RSZ22, a dynamic nucleocytoplasmic shuttling SR splicing factor

Poster (2011, March)