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Gene expression is reconfigured rapidly during the cell cycle to execute the cellular functions specific to each phase. Studies conducted with synchronized plant cell suspension cultures have identified hundreds of genes with periodic expression patterns across the phases of the cell cycle, but these results may differ from expression occurring in the context of intact organs. Here, we describe the use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting to analyze the gene expression profile of G2/M cells in the growing root. To this end, we isolated cells expressing the early mitosis cell cycle marker CYCLINB1;1-GFP from Arabidopsis root tips. Transcriptome analysis of these cells allowed identification of hundreds of genes whose expression is reduced or enriched in G2/M cells, including many not previously reported from cell suspension cultures. From this dataset, we identified SCL28, a transcription factor belonging to the GRAS family, whose messenger RNA accumulates to the highest levels in G2/M and is regulated by MYB3R transcription factors. Functional analysis indicates that SCL28 promotes progression through G2/M and modulates the selection of cell division planes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that differs between plant organs and tissues, but the extent of variation between cell types is not known. Here, we report single-base-resolution whole-genome DNA methylomes, mRNA transcriptomes and small RNA transcriptomes for six cell populations covering the major cell types of the Arabidopsis root meristem. We identify widespread cell-type-specific patterns of DNA methylation, especially in the CHH sequence context, where H is A, C or T. The genome of the columella root cap is the most highly methylated Arabidopsis cell characterized so far. It is hypermethylated within transposable elements (TEs), accompanied by increased abundance of transcripts encoding RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway components and 24-nt small RNAs (smRNAs). The absence of the nucleosome remodeller DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1), required for maintenance of DNA methylation, and low abundance of histone transcripts involved in heterochromatin formation suggests that a loss of heterochromatin may occur in the columella, thus allowing access of RdDM factors to the whole genome, and producing an excess of 24-nt smRNAs in this tissue. Together, these maps provide new insights into the epigenomic diversity that exists between distinct plant somatic cell types.

Immune systems distinguish "self" from "nonself" to maintain homeostasis and must differentially gate access to allow colonization by potentially beneficial, nonpathogenic microbes. Plant roots grow within extremely diverse soil microbial communities but assemble a taxonomically limited root-associated microbiome. We grew isogenic Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with altered immune systems in a wild soil and also in recolonization experiments with a synthetic bacterial community. We established that biosynthesis of, and signaling dependent on, the foliar defense phytohormone salicylic acid is required to assemble a normal root microbiome. Salicylic acid modulates colonization of the root by specific bacterial families. Thus, plant immune signaling drives selection from the available microbial communities to sculpt the root microbiome., (Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Pectate lyase A is secreted by Erwinia chrysanthemi and is a virulence factor for soft rot diseases in plants. Crystals of pectate lyase A were obtained by vapor-diffusion techniques in the presence of polyethylene glycol. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 48.96, b = 148.86, c = 78.61 A, beta = 97.32 degrees. The crystals contain two protein molecules of 38 kDa per asymmetric unit and diffract to 2.4 A using Cu Kalpha radiation.

Phosphatidylinositol-transfer protein (PITP) is a soluble, ubiquitously expressed, highly conserved protein encoded by two genes in humans, rodents and other mammals. A cDNA encoding the alpha isoform of the rat gene was expressed to high levels in Escherichia coli, the protein purified and the homogeneous protein used for crystallization studies. Crystals of rat PITP-alpha were obtained by vapor-diffusion techniques using the sitting-drop method. Crystals grow within two weeks by vapor-diffusion techniques in the presence of polyethylene glycol 4000. Both crystal forms pack in the monoclinic space group P21. Crystal form I has unit-cell parameters a = 44.75, b = 74.25, c = 48.32 A and beta = 114.14 degrees. Unit-cell parameters for crystal form II are a = 47.86, b = 73.59, c = 80.49 A and beta = 98.54 degrees. Crystal form I has a Vm of 2.295 A3 Da-1 and an estimated solvent content of 46.4% with one molecule per asymmetric unit, while crystal form II has a Vm of 2.196 A3 Da-1 and an estimated solvent content of 44.0%, assuming two molecules per asymmetric unit.