H. Hirt

Arabidopsis actin-binding protein WLIM2A links PAMP-triggered immunity and cytoskeletal organization

This study identifies WLIM2A as a MAPK target involved in plant immunity, showing its role in regulating stomatal responses and resistance to pathogens.

Microbe-induced plant drought tolerance by ABA-mediated root morphogenesis and epigenetic reprogramming of gene expression

This paper shows that the bacterium Pseudomonas argentinensis sp. SA190 improves Arabidopsis drought tolerance via ABA-mediated root morphogenesis and epigenetic gene priming, with field trials demonstrating enhanced alfalfa performance under desert conditions.

Linker histone H1 regulates defense priming and immunity in plants

This study shows that linker histone H1 variants in Arabidopsis regulate plant immunity by modulating chromatin structure and defense gene expression.

Enterococcal PrgA extends far outside the cell and provides surface exclusion to protect against unwanted conjugation

This paper reports the structure and function of Enterococcus faecalis PrgA, showing it extends outside the cell to provide surface exclusion and reduce plasmid uptake.

Enterobacter sp. SA187 mediates plant thermotolerance by chromatin modification of heat stress genes

This study shows that Enterobacter sp. SA187 enhances Arabidopsis thermotolerance by constitutively priming heat stress genes through chromatin modification, similar to acclimation.

Wounding and insect feeding trigger two independent MAPK pathways with distinct regulation and kinetics

Wounding activates two distinct MAPK pathways in Arabidopsis: a rapid JA-independent module and a slower JA-dependent module, both involved in resisting insect feeding.

Role of MPK4 in pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered alternative splicing in Arabidopsis

The paper identifies 506 PAMP-induced differentially alternatively spliced genes in Arabidopsis, showing MPK4 regulates splicing factors and immunity-related genes in PAMP-triggered immunity.