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The preprophase band (PPB) is a transient cytokinetic structure that marks the future division plane at the onset of mitosis. The PPB forms a dense cortical ring of mainly microtubules, actin filaments, endoplasmic reticulum, and associated proteins that encircles the nucleus of mitotic cells. After PPB disassembly, the positional information is preserved by the cortical division zone (CDZ). The formation of the PPB and its contribution to timely CDZ set-up involves activities of functionally distinct microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that interact physically and genetically to support robust division plane orientation in plants. Recent studies identified two types of plant-specific MAPs as key regulators of PPB formation, the TON1 RECRUITMENT MOTIF (TRM) and IQ67 DOMAIN (IQD) families. Both families share hallmarks of disordered scaffold proteins. Interactions of IQDs and TRMs with multiple binding partners, including the microtubule severing KATANIN1, may provide a molecular framework to coordinate PPB formation, maturation, and disassembly.

Plant specialized metabolites are often synthesized and stored in dedicated morphological structures such as glandular trichomes, resin ducts, or laticifers where they accumulate in large concentrations. How this high productivity is achieved is still elusive, in particular, with respect to the interface between primary and specialized metabolism. Here, we focus on glandular trichomes to survey recent progress in understanding how plant metabolic cell factories manage to balance homeostasis of essential central metabolites while producing large quantities of compounds that constitute a metabolic sink. In particular, we review the role of gene duplications, transcription factors and photosynthesis.

The selective N- or O-alkylation of 4-(trihalomethyl)-pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones, using 5-bromo enones/enaminones as alkylating agents, is reported. It was found that the selectivity toward the N-or O-regioisomer is driven by the substituent present at the 6-position of the pyrimidine ring, thus enabling the preparation of each isomer as the sole product, in 60−95% yields. Subsequent cyclocondensation of the enaminone moiety with nitrogen dinucleophiles led to pyrimidine−azole conjugates in 55−83% yields.

Chemistry assigns phosphate (Pi) dominant roles in metabolism; however, it also renders the macronutrient a genuinely limiting factor of plant productivity. Pi bioavailability is restricted by low Pi mobility in soil and antagonized by metallic toxicities, which force roots to actively seek and selectively acquire the vital element. During the past few years, a first conceptual outline has emerged of the sensory mechanisms at root tips, which monitor external Pi and transmit the edaphic cue to inform root development. This review highlights new aspects of the Pi acquisition strategy of Arabidopsis roots, as well as a framework of local Pi sensing in the context of antagonistic interactions between Pi and its major associated metallic cations, Fe3+ and Al3+.

Peptide ligation and macrocyclization are among the most relevant approaches in the field of peptide chemistry. Whereas a variety of strategies relying on coupling reagents and native chemical ligation are available, there is a continuous need for efficient peptide ligation and cyclization methods. Herein we report on the utilization of convertible isonitriles as effective synthetic tools for the ligation and macrocyclization of peptides arising from isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions. The strategy relies on the use of convertible isonitriles—derived from Fukuyama amines—and peptide carboxylic acids in Ugi and Passerini reactions to afford N-alkylated peptides and depsipeptides, respectively, followed by conversion of the C-terminal amide onto either N-peptidoacyl indoles or pyrroles. Such activated peptides proved efficient in the ligation to peptidic, lipidic and fluorescently labeled amines and in macrocyclization protocols. As a result, a wide set of N-substituted peptides (with methyl, glycosyl and amino acids as N-substituents), cyclic N-methylated peptides and a depsipeptide were produced in good yields using conditions that involve either classical heating or microwave irradiation. This report improves the repertoire of peptide covalent modification methods by exploiting the synthetic potential of multicomponent reactions and convertible isonitriles.

The cyclization of peptide side chains has been traditionally used to either induce or stabilize secondary structures (β-strands, helices, reverse turns) in short peptide sequences. So far, classic peptide coupling, nucleophilic substitution, olefin metathesis, and click reactions have been the methods of choice to fold synthetic peptides by means of macrocyclization. This article describes the utilization of the Ugi reaction for the side chain-to-side chain and side chain-to-termini macrocyclization of peptides, thus enabling not only access to stable folded structures but also the incorporation of exocyclic functionalities as N-substituents. Analysis of the NMR-derived structures revealed the formation of helical turns, β-bulges, and α-turns in cyclic peptides cross-linked at i, i + 3 and i, i + 4 positions, proving the folding effect of the multicomponent Ugi macrocyclization. Molecular dynamics simulation provided further insights on the stability and molecular motion of the side chain cross-linked peptides.

The phytohormone jasmonate (JA) plays essential roles in plant growth, development and defense. In response to the JA signal, the CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1)-based SCF complexes recruit JASMONATE ZIM-domain (JAZ) repressors for ubiquitination and degradation, and subsequently regulate their downstream signaling components essential for various JA responses. Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the JA signaling pathway and its crosstalk with other phytohormone pathways during the past two decades. Recent studies have revealed that a variety of positive and negative regulators act as targets of JAZs to control distinctive JA responses, and that JAZs and these regulators function as crucial interfaces to mediate synergy and antagonism between JA and other phytohormones. Owing to different regulatory players in JA perception and JA signaling, a fine-tuning of JA-dependent processes in plant growth, development and defense is achieved. In this review, we will summarize the latest progresses in JA signaling and its crosstalk with gibberellin and ethylene.

An efficient and convenient method was developed for the regioselective formation of 2-aryl- or 2,5-diarylselenophenes via a palladium-catalyzed direct arylation. This protocol is suitable for a wide range of aryl halides containing different functional groups. The 2-arylated substrates can undergo an additional regioselective direct arylation event furnishing symmetrical or unsymmetrical 2,5-diaryl selenophenes in good yield. Competition experiments and the role of the acid additive are in agreement with a concerted metalation deprotonation (CMD) pathway.

A highly convergent and stereocontrolled synthesis of epothilone D (4) is reported. Key features are a cheap and Z-selective synthesis of the northern half based on nerol and acetoacetate and chromium(II)-mediated Reformatsky reactions as a powerful tool for chemoselective asymmetric carbon–carbon bond formations, including an unusual stereospecific macroaldolization.