About the Cover
On the Cover: The role of eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1) in translation termination has been well documented in both yeast and mammalian systems; however, only limited characterization has been performed in plants. In this issue, Petsch et al. (115-126) describe a novel phenotype in Arabidopsis resulting from cosuppression of eRF1-1. The cover picture illustrates one aspect of the phenotype, which is a reduction in internode elongation, causing the formation of a "broomhead"-like cluster of siliques. Histological analysis on cosuppressed stems revealed a reduction in cell height and ectopic lignification of phloem cap cells, some phloem sieve cells, and regions of the fascicular cambium, as well as enhanced lignification of the interfascicular fibers. Cell division in the fascicular cambial regions was also affected with the majority of vascular bundles containing cambial cells that are disorganized and possess enlarged nuclei. This is the first attempt at functional characterization of a release factor in vivo in plants and demonstrates the importance of eRF1-1 function in Arabidopsis.
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Copyright © 2007 by the American Society of Plant Biologists
