@article{devi_art_2026,
	title = {The art of interdigitation: {Current} views on pavement cell shape acquisition},
	volume = {91},
	issn = {1369-5266},
	shorttitle = {The art of interdigitation},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369526626000233},
	doi = {10.1016/j.pbi.2026.102880},
	abstract = {Cell shape acquisition is a central feature of morphogenesis, governing tissue organization, organ development, and organismal architecture. In vascular plants, leaf epidermal cells often adopt wavy, interlocking geometries, creating intricate jigsaw puzzle-like patterns. These complex shapes, which develop from simple polyhedral progenitors, provide an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms driving cell shape acquisition. Lobed, interdigitated pavement cells contribute to planar leaf expansion and mechanical stability. Recent advances reveal that the coordination of cell wall remodeling, cytoskeletal organization, and mechanical forces underlies the emergence of lobes (outgrowths) and necks (indentations) that stabilize the tissue and support organ growth. Biomechanical models further demonstrate how spatial modulation of wall stiffness and cytoskeletal dynamics drive interdigitated growth, while phytohormone signaling and communication among neighboring cells fine-tune patterning across the epidermal layer. Here, we bring together current insights into the mechanical, molecular and signaling frameworks that shape pavement cell morphogenesis and highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions.},
	urldate = {2026-03-27},
	journal = {Current Opinion in Plant Biology},
	author = {Devi, Loitongbam Lorinda and Kumar, Vinod and Ratnakaram, Hemamshu and Lin, Mengzhuo and Robert, Stéphanie},
	month = jun,
	year = {2026},
	pages = {102880},
}

Cell shape acquisition is a central feature of morphogenesis, governing tissue organization, organ development, and organismal architecture. In vascular plants, leaf epidermal cells often adopt wavy, interlocking geometries, creating intricate jigsaw puzzle-like patterns. These complex shapes, which develop from simple polyhedral progenitors, provide an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms driving cell shape acquisition. Lobed, interdigitated pavement cells contribute to planar leaf expansion and mechanical stability. Recent advances reveal that the coordination of cell wall remodeling, cytoskeletal organization, and mechanical forces underlies the emergence of lobes (outgrowths) and necks (indentations) that stabilize the tissue and support organ growth. Biomechanical models further demonstrate how spatial modulation of wall stiffness and cytoskeletal dynamics drive interdigitated growth, while phytohormone signaling and communication among neighboring cells fine-tune patterning across the epidermal layer. Here, we bring together current insights into the mechanical, molecular and signaling frameworks that shape pavement cell morphogenesis and highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions.

@article{zhou_early_2026,
	title = {{EARLY} {ABORTION} 1 is an evolutionary conserved gene required for plant reproduction},
	issn = {0022-0957},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag142},
	doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag142},
	abstract = {The functions of approximately one-third of the proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana remain unknown. It is likely that some of the genes encoding these proteins are essential, and thus indispensable for the survival of the plant; furthermore, these genes would be included in the minimum viable set required for plant life. Evolutionarily conserved single copy genes in flowering plants are enriched in essential housekeeping functions. Building on this observation, we designed a reverse genetic screen that focuses on evolutionarily conserved single copy Arabidopsis genes of unknown function with predominant expression in meristematic cells. This approach identified a previously uncharacterized essential Arabidopsis gene, named as EARLY ABORTION 1 (EBO1). Mutation of the EBO1 locus disrupts gametophyte and/or early embryo development, resulting in defective ovule or seed development. A functional fluorescent EBO1 fusion protein was found to localize to the nucleus, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments detected an interaction between EBO1 and Nucleolar Protein 58 (NOP58) and proteins involved in RNA metabolism, chromatin modification, and transcription. The presented results open a new line of investigation into an evolutionarily conserved mechanism involved in the development of both male and female gametophytes as well as seeds.},
	urldate = {2026-03-27},
	journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany},
	author = {Zhou, Jingjing and Wang, Wei and Zhang, Li and Bruce, Ylva and Zhu, Shaochun and Mateus, André and Niittylä, Totte},
	month = mar,
	year = {2026},
	pages = {erag142},
}

The functions of approximately one-third of the proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana remain unknown. It is likely that some of the genes encoding these proteins are essential, and thus indispensable for the survival of the plant; furthermore, these genes would be included in the minimum viable set required for plant life. Evolutionarily conserved single copy genes in flowering plants are enriched in essential housekeeping functions. Building on this observation, we designed a reverse genetic screen that focuses on evolutionarily conserved single copy Arabidopsis genes of unknown function with predominant expression in meristematic cells. This approach identified a previously uncharacterized essential Arabidopsis gene, named as EARLY ABORTION 1 (EBO1). Mutation of the EBO1 locus disrupts gametophyte and/or early embryo development, resulting in defective ovule or seed development. A functional fluorescent EBO1 fusion protein was found to localize to the nucleus, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments detected an interaction between EBO1 and Nucleolar Protein 58 (NOP58) and proteins involved in RNA metabolism, chromatin modification, and transcription. The presented results open a new line of investigation into an evolutionarily conserved mechanism involved in the development of both male and female gametophytes as well as seeds.

@article{moazzami_farida_dopamine_2026,
	title = {Dopamine modulates antioxidant and phenolic responses to alleviate nickel stress in {Salvia} officinalis},
	volume = {26},
	issn = {1471-2229},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-08365-5},
	doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-08365-5},
	abstract = {Nickel (Ni) contamination is a significant constraint to agricultural sustainability and medicinal plant productivity, leading to oxidative stress, nutrient imbalance, and disruption of secondary metabolism. Dopamine (DA) has been reported as a stress-mitigating agent in plants. Still, its role in shaping antioxidants and phenolic responses to Ni toxicity in medicinal species, such as Salvia officinalis, remains poorly understood.},
	language = {en},
	number = {1},
	urldate = {2026-03-27},
	journal = {BMC Plant Biology},
	author = {Moazzami Farida, Seyed Hamed and Rahmani, Nosrat and Taghizadeh, Marzieh and Albrectsen, Benedicte Riber},
	month = feb,
	year = {2026},
	keywords = {Antioxidant defense, Dopamine, Heavy metal, Nickel stress, Phenolic metabolism, Salvia officinalis l},
	pages = {491},
}

Nickel (Ni) contamination is a significant constraint to agricultural sustainability and medicinal plant productivity, leading to oxidative stress, nutrient imbalance, and disruption of secondary metabolism. Dopamine (DA) has been reported as a stress-mitigating agent in plants. Still, its role in shaping antioxidants and phenolic responses to Ni toxicity in medicinal species, such as Salvia officinalis, remains poorly understood.

@article{wang_recurrent_2026,
	title = {Recurrent sex chromosome turnover mediated by distinct {ARR17} and {PISTILLATA} duplications in willows},
	issn = {1474-760X},
	url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-026-04026-w},
	doi = {10.1186/s13059-026-04026-w},
	abstract = {Sex chromosome turnovers evolve via translocation or duplication of established sex-determining genes, or their replacement by newly evolved ones. Few cases of replacements by new factors have been documented in dioecious plants, but are suspected in Salix, in which both XY and ZW systems occur, with sex-linked regions (SLRs) of different species on various chromosomes. The male-determining genes in XY species’ SLRs are partial duplicates of autosomal ARR17-like genes and regulate the expression of downstream genes involved in stamen development by producing small RNAs that suppress the expression of intact copies.},
	language = {en},
	urldate = {2026-03-20},
	journal = {Genome Biology},
	author = {Wang, Yuàn and Xue, Zhi-Qing and Zhang, Ren-Gang and Zhu, Zhi-Ying and Hörandl, Elvira and Wang, Xiao-Ru and Mao, Yan-Fei and Charlesworth, Deborah and He, Li},
	month = mar,
	year = {2026},
	keywords = {Pericentromeric regions, Recombination landscape, Salix, Sex chromosome turnovers, Sex determination, Translocation},
}

Sex chromosome turnovers evolve via translocation or duplication of established sex-determining genes, or their replacement by newly evolved ones. Few cases of replacements by new factors have been documented in dioecious plants, but are suspected in Salix, in which both XY and ZW systems occur, with sex-linked regions (SLRs) of different species on various chromosomes. The male-determining genes in XY species’ SLRs are partial duplicates of autosomal ARR17-like genes and regulate the expression of downstream genes involved in stamen development by producing small RNAs that suppress the expression of intact copies.

@article{eklof_contrasting_2026,
	title = {Contrasting {Patterns} of {Local} {Adaptation} and {Adaptive} {Potential} {Under} {Climate} {Change} for {Old}-{Growth} and {Planted} {Stands} of {Norway} {Spruce} ({Picea} abies)},
	volume = {19},
	copyright = {© 2026 The Author(s). Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley \& Sons Ltd.},
	issn = {1752-4571},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eva.70217},
	doi = {10.1111/eva.70217},
	abstract = {Genetic diversity is a key prerequisite for adaptation to changing environments. Maintaining genetic diversity in forest trees is crucial amid climate change, given their long generation times. Forest management practices can affect the genetic diversity of forest ecosystems through selective felling or reforestation strategies following harvests. To assess how managed forests respond to climate-driven changes, we investigated patterns of genetic diversity and local adaptation by contrasting old-growth and recently planted stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies). We assess both neutral and adaptive genetic variation by sequencing pooled samples collected from 45 first stands across northern Sweden. Our results reveal no significant differences in overall genetic diversity between natural and planted populations, indicating that current forest management practices have not substantially reduced genetic variation. Analyses of adaptive variation demonstrate strong signatures of local adaptation in old-growth populations, with clear correlations between genetic and environmental distances. In contrast, planted stands show weaker adaptive signals and are also at greater risk of non-adaptiveness under future climate scenarios. While current forest management practices preserve much of the neutral genetic diversity necessary for long-term forest health, our findings highlight the importance of conserving and promoting adaptive genetic variation available in old-growth stands to ensure resilience against ongoing climate change.},
	language = {en},
	number = {3},
	urldate = {2026-03-20},
	journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
	author = {Eklöf, Helena and Bernhardsson, Carolina and Ingvarsson, Pär K.},
	year = {2026},
	note = {\_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/eva.70217},
	keywords = {Norway spruce, forest regeneration, forestry, genetic differentiation, genetic diversity},
	pages = {e70217},
}

Genetic diversity is a key prerequisite for adaptation to changing environments. Maintaining genetic diversity in forest trees is crucial amid climate change, given their long generation times. Forest management practices can affect the genetic diversity of forest ecosystems through selective felling or reforestation strategies following harvests. To assess how managed forests respond to climate-driven changes, we investigated patterns of genetic diversity and local adaptation by contrasting old-growth and recently planted stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies). We assess both neutral and adaptive genetic variation by sequencing pooled samples collected from 45 first stands across northern Sweden. Our results reveal no significant differences in overall genetic diversity between natural and planted populations, indicating that current forest management practices have not substantially reduced genetic variation. Analyses of adaptive variation demonstrate strong signatures of local adaptation in old-growth populations, with clear correlations between genetic and environmental distances. In contrast, planted stands show weaker adaptive signals and are also at greater risk of non-adaptiveness under future climate scenarios. While current forest management practices preserve much of the neutral genetic diversity necessary for long-term forest health, our findings highlight the importance of conserving and promoting adaptive genetic variation available in old-growth stands to ensure resilience against ongoing climate change.