T. Halter

DNA methylation at a single cytosine embedded in the W-box cis-element repels binding of WRKY transcription factors through steric hindrance

The paper shows DNA methylation at a W-box cytosine repels WRKY TF binding through steric hindrance, using structural modeling and in vitro experiments.

Low ribosomal RNA genes copy number provoke genomic instability and chromosomal segment duplication events that modify global gene expression and plant-pathogen response

This study shows that reducing rRNA gene copies in Arabidopsis leads to genomic instability, chromosomal duplications, and altered gene expression, including enhanced resistance to pathogens.