J. Balk

Genetic basis of historical pea mutants that hyper-accumulate iron

This paper identifies mutations in BRUTUS and OPT3 genes responsible for iron hyper-accumulation in pea mutants, providing insights into iron signaling and potential strategies for crop biofortification.

The BRUTUS-LIKE E3 ligases BTSL1 and BTSL2 fine-tune transcriptional responses to balance Fe and Zn homeostasis

This study shows that loss-of-function of BTSL1 and BTSL2, which suppress iron uptake, confers zinc tolerance in Arabidopsis, revealing a regulatory interaction between iron and zinc homeostasis.

Asymmetric expression of homoeologous genes in wheat roots modulates the early phase of iron-deficiency signalling

This study examines the transcriptional response of wheat roots to iron deficiency at early stages, identifying dynamic gene expression and homoeologous gene expression patterns.

A two-gene strategy increases the iron and zinc concentration of wheat flour and improves mineral bioaccesibility for human nutrition.

This paper demonstrates a transgenic strategy in wheat that increases iron and zinc concentrations in flour and improves their bioaccessibility for human nutrition.

The Fe-S cluster assembly factors NFU4 and NFU5 are primarily required for protein lipoylation in mitochondria

This study identifies NFU4 and NFU5 as essential for mitochondrial protein lipoylation, with specific roles in lipoate biosynthesis for dehydrogenases.

Subcellular dynamics studies reveal how tissue-specific distribution patterns of iron are established in developing wheat grains

The paper tracks iron translocation in wheat grains using isotope labeling and imaging, revealing symplastic transport and new iron storage structures.

Branched-chain amino acid catabolism depends on GRXS15 through mitochondrial lipoyl cofactor homeostasis

The paper shows that GRXS15 deficiency disrupts mitochondrial lipoyl cofactor homeostasis, leading to metabolic defects in lipoyl cofactor-dependent dehydrogenase complexes, particularly affecting branched-chain amino acid catabolism.

The Medicago truncatula Vacuolar Iron Transporter-Like proteins VTL4 and VTL8 deliver iron to endosymbiotic bacteria at different stages of the infection process

This study identifies VTL4 and VTL8 as iron transporters in Medicago truncatula that deliver iron to rhizobia at different stages of nodule development.

Arabidopsis glutathione reductase 2 is indispensable in plastids, while mitochondrial glutathione is safeguarded by additional reduction and transport systems

The paper investigates the role of GR2 in maintaining glutathione redox homeostasis in plastids and mitochondria of Arabidopsis, showing its essential function in plastids and partial redundancy in mitochondria.

Pathogenic mutations in NUBPL affect complex I activity and cold tolerance in the yeast model Yarrowia lipolytica

The paper investigates the effects of NUBPL mutations on complex I activity and cold tolerance in Yarrowia lipolytica by recreating amino acid substitutions and analyzing their impact on complex I assembly and function.

Vacuolar iron stores gated by NRAMP3 and NRAMP4 are the primary source of iron in germinating seeds

The paper shows that NRAMP3 and NRAMP4 are essential for mobilizing vacuolar iron stores during seed germination, and their absence triggers Fe deficiency responses affecting plastids but not mitochondria.

Genetic dissection of cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate biosynthesis in plant mitochondria

This study identifies new mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana that affect molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis, revealing roles for ATM3 and CNX2 in cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP) synthesis.

Altering Expression Of A Vacuolar Iron Transporter Doubles Iron Content In White Wheat Flour

This study over-expresses TaVIT2 in wheat to increase iron content in flour, achieving levels above legal fortification standards without affecting plant growth.