@article{11734,
  abstract     = {Mineral nutrition is one of the key environmental factors determining plant development and growth. Nitrate is the major form of macronutrient nitrogen that plants take up from the soil. Fluctuating availability or deficiency of this element severely limits plant growth and negatively affects crop production in the agricultural system. To cope with the heterogeneity of nitrate distribution in soil, plants evolved a complex regulatory mechanism that allows rapid adjustment of physiological and developmental processes to the status of this nutrient. The root, as a major exploitation organ that controls the uptake of nitrate to the plant body, acts as a regulatory hub that, according to nitrate availability, coordinates the growth and development of other plant organs. Here, we identified a regulatory framework, where cytokinin response factors (CRFs) play a central role as a molecular readout of the nitrate status in roots to guide shoot adaptive developmental response. We show that nitrate-driven activation of NLP7, a master regulator of nitrate response in plants, fine tunes biosynthesis of cytokinin in roots and its translocation to shoots where it enhances expression of CRFs. CRFs, through direct transcriptional regulation of PIN auxin transporters, promote the flow of auxin and thereby stimulate the development of shoot organs.},
  author       = {Abualia, Rashed and Ötvös, Krisztina and Novák, Ondřej and Bouguyon, Eleonore and Domanegg, Kevin and Krapp, Anne and Nacry, Philip and Gojon, Alain and Lacombe, Benoit and Benková, Eva},
  issn         = {1091-6490},
  journal      = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
  number       = {31},
  publisher    = {National Academy of Sciences},
  title        = {{Molecular framework integrating nitrate sensing in root and auxin-guided shoot adaptive responses}},
  doi          = {10.1073/pnas.2122460119},
  volume       = {119},
  year         = {2022},
}

@article{9332,
  abstract     = {Lateral root (LR) formation is an example of a plant post-embryonic organogenesis event. LRs are issued from non-dividing cells entering consecutive steps of formative divisions, proliferation and elongation. The chromatin remodeling protein PICKLE (PKL) negatively regulates auxin-mediated LR formation through a mechanism that is not yet known. Here we show that PKL interacts with RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED 1 (RBR1) to repress the LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN 16 (LBD16) promoter activity. Since LBD16 function is required for the formative division of LR founder cells, repression mediated by the PKL–RBR1 complex negatively regulates formative division and LR formation. Inhibition of LR formation by PKL–RBR1 is counteracted by auxin, indicating that, in addition to auxin-mediated transcriptional responses, the fine-tuned process of LR formation is also controlled at the chromatin level in an auxin-signaling dependent manner.},
  author       = {Ötvös, Krisztina and Miskolczi, Pál and Marhavý, Peter and Cruz-Ramírez, Alfredo and Benková, Eva and Robert, Stéphanie and Bakó, László},
  issn         = {1422-0067},
  journal      = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number       = {8},
  publisher    = {MDPI},
  title        = {{Pickle recruits retinoblastoma related 1 to control lateral root formation in arabidopsis}},
  doi          = {10.3390/ijms22083862},
  volume       = {22},
  year         = {2021},
}

@article{9010,
  abstract     = {Availability of the essential macronutrient nitrogen in soil plays a critical role in plant growth, development, and impacts agricultural productivity. Plants have evolved different strategies for sensing and responding to heterogeneous nitrogen distribution. Modulation of root system architecture, including primary root growth and branching, is among the most essential plant adaptions to ensure adequate nitrogen acquisition. However, the immediate molecular pathways coordinating the adjustment of root growth in response to distinct nitrogen sources, such as nitrate or ammonium, are poorly understood. Here, we show that growth as manifested by cell division and elongation is synchronized by coordinated auxin flux between two adjacent outer tissue layers of the root. This coordination is achieved by nitrate‐dependent dephosphorylation of the PIN2 auxin efflux carrier at a previously uncharacterized phosphorylation site, leading to subsequent PIN2 lateralization and thereby regulating auxin flow between adjacent tissues. A dynamic computer model based on our experimental data successfully recapitulates experimental observations. Our study provides mechanistic insights broadening our understanding of root growth mechanisms in dynamic environments.},
  author       = {Ötvös, Krisztina and Marconi, Marco and Vega, Andrea and O’Brien, Jose and Johnson, Alexander J and Abualia, Rashed and Antonielli, Livio and Montesinos López, Juan C and Zhang, Yuzhou and Tan, Shutang and Cuesta, Candela and Artner, Christina and Bouguyon, Eleonore and Gojon, Alain and Friml, Jiří and Gutiérrez, Rodrigo A. and Wabnik, Krzysztof T and Benková, Eva},
  issn         = {1460-2075},
  journal      = {EMBO Journal},
  number       = {3},
  publisher    = {Embo Press},
  title        = {{Modulation of plant root growth by nitrogen source-defined regulation of polar auxin transport}},
  doi          = {10.15252/embj.2020106862},
  volume       = {40},
  year         = {2021},
}

@article{9913,
  abstract     = {Nitrate commands genome-wide gene expression changes that impact metabolism, physiology, plant growth, and development. In an effort to identify new components involved in nitrate responses in plants, we analyze the Arabidopsis thaliana root phosphoproteome in response to nitrate treatments via liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. 176 phosphoproteins show significant changes at 5 or 20 min after nitrate treatments. Proteins identified by 5 min include signaling components such as kinases or transcription factors. In contrast, by 20 min, proteins identified were associated with transporter activity or hormone metabolism functions, among others. The phosphorylation profile of NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1.1 (NRT1.1) mutant plants was significantly altered as compared to wild-type plants, confirming its key role in nitrate signaling pathways that involves phosphorylation changes. Integrative bioinformatics analysis highlights auxin transport as an important mechanism modulated by nitrate signaling at the post-translational level. We validated a new phosphorylation site in PIN2 and provide evidence that it functions in primary and lateral root growth responses to nitrate.},
  author       = {Vega, Andrea and Fredes, Isabel and O’Brien, José and Shen, Zhouxin and Ötvös, Krisztina and Abualia, Rashed and Benková, Eva and Briggs, Steven P. and Gutiérrez, Rodrigo A.},
  issn         = {1469-3178},
  journal      = {EMBO Reports},
  number       = {9},
  publisher    = {Wiley},
  title        = {{Nitrate triggered phosphoproteome changes and a PIN2 phosphosite modulating root system architecture}},
  doi          = {10.15252/embr.202051813},
  volume       = {22},
  year         = {2021},
}

@article{8142,
  abstract     = {Cell production and differentiation for the acquisition of specific functions are key features of living systems. The dynamic network of cellular microtubules provides the necessary platform to accommodate processes associated with the transition of cells through the individual phases of cytogenesis. Here, we show that the plant hormone cytokinin fine‐tunes the activity of the microtubular cytoskeleton during cell differentiation and counteracts microtubular rearrangements driven by the hormone auxin. The endogenous upward gradient of cytokinin activity along the longitudinal growth axis in Arabidopsis thaliana roots correlates with robust rearrangements of the microtubule cytoskeleton in epidermal cells progressing from the proliferative to the differentiation stage. Controlled increases in cytokinin activity result in premature re‐organization of the microtubule network from transversal to an oblique disposition in cells prior to their differentiation, whereas attenuated hormone perception delays cytoskeleton conversion into a configuration typical for differentiated cells. Intriguingly, cytokinin can interfere with microtubules also in animal cells, such as leukocytes, suggesting that a cytokinin‐sensitive control pathway for the microtubular cytoskeleton may be at least partially conserved between plant and animal cells.},
  author       = {Montesinos López, Juan C and Abuzeineh, A and Kopf, Aglaja and Juanes Garcia, Alba and Ötvös, Krisztina and Petrášek, J and Sixt, Michael K and Benková, Eva},
  issn         = {1460-2075},
  journal      = {The Embo Journal},
  number       = {17},
  publisher    = {Embo Press},
  title        = {{Phytohormone cytokinin guides microtubule dynamics during cell progression from proliferative to differentiated stage}},
  doi          = {10.15252/embj.2019104238},
  volume       = {39},
  year         = {2020},
}

@article{7805,
  abstract     = {Plants as non-mobile organisms constantly integrate varying environmental signals to flexibly adapt their growth and development. Local fluctuations in water and nutrient availability, sudden changes in temperature or other abiotic and biotic stresses can trigger changes in the growth of plant organs. Multiple mutually interconnected hormonal signaling cascades act as essential endogenous translators of these exogenous signals in the adaptive responses of plants. Although the molecular backbones of hormone transduction pathways have been identified, the mechanisms underlying their interactions are largely unknown. Here, using genome wide transcriptome profiling we identify an auxin and cytokinin cross-talk component; SYNERGISTIC ON AUXIN AND CYTOKININ 1 (SYAC1), whose expression in roots is strictly dependent on both of these hormonal pathways. We show that SYAC1 is a regulator of secretory pathway, whose enhanced activity interferes with deposition of cell wall components and can fine-tune organ growth and sensitivity to soil pathogens.},
  author       = {Hurny, Andrej and Cuesta, Candela and Cavallari, Nicola and Ötvös, Krisztina and Duclercq, Jerome and Dokládal, Ladislav and Montesinos López, Juan C and Gallemi, Marçal and Semeradova, Hana and Rauter, Thomas and Stenzel, Irene and Persiau, Geert and Benade, Freia and Bhalearo, Rishikesh and Sýkorová, Eva and Gorzsás, András and Sechet, Julien and Mouille, Gregory and Heilmann, Ingo and De Jaeger, Geert and Ludwig-Müller, Jutta and Benková, Eva},
  issn         = {2041-1723},
  journal      = {Nature Communications},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{Synergistic on Auxin and Cytokinin 1 positively regulates growth and attenuates soil pathogen resistance}},
  doi          = {10.1038/s41467-020-15895-5},
  volume       = {11},
  year         = {2020},
}

@article{1004,
  abstract     = {The fundamental tasks of the root system are, besides anchoring, mediating interactions between plant and soil and providing the plant with water and nutrients. The architecture of the root system is controlled by endogenous mechanisms that constantly integrate environmental signals, such as availability of nutrients and water. Extremely important for efficient soil exploitation and survival under less favorable conditions is the developmental flexibility of the root system that is largely determined by its postembryonic branching capacity. Modulation of initiation and outgrowth of lateral roots provides roots with an exceptional plasticity, allows optimal adjustment to underground heterogeneity, and enables effective soil exploitation and use of resources. Here we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms that shape the plant root system and integrate external cues to adapt to the changing environment.},
  author       = {Ötvös, Krisztina and Benková, Eva},
  issn         = {0959-437X},
  journal      = {Current Opinion in Genetics & Development},
  pages        = {82 -- 89},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Spatiotemporal mechanisms of root branching}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.gde.2017.03.010},
  volume       = {45},
  year         = {2017},
}

@article{1640,
  abstract     = {Auxin and cytokinin are key endogenous regulators of plant development. Although cytokinin-mediated modulation of auxin distribution is a developmentally crucial hormonal interaction, its molecular basis is largely unknown. Here we show a direct regulatory link between cytokinin signalling and the auxin transport machinery uncovering a mechanistic framework for cytokinin-auxin cross-talk. We show that the CYTOKININ RESPONSE FACTORS (CRFs), transcription factors downstream of cytokinin perception, transcriptionally control genes encoding PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters at a specific PIN CYTOKININ RESPONSE ELEMENT (PCRE) domain. Removal of this cis-regulatory element effectively uncouples PIN transcription from the CRF-mediated cytokinin regulation and attenuates plant cytokinin sensitivity. We propose that CRFs represent a missing cross-talk component that fine-tunes auxin transport capacity downstream of cytokinin signalling to control plant development.},
  author       = {Šimášková, Mária and O'Brien, José and Khan-Djamei, Mamoona and Van Noorden, Giel and Ötvös, Krisztina and Vieten, Anne and De Clercq, Inge and Van Haperen, Johanna and Cuesta, Candela and Hoyerová, Klára and Vanneste, Steffen and Marhavy, Peter and Wabnik, Krzysztof T and Van Breusegem, Frank and Nowack, Moritz and Murphy, Angus and Friml, Jiřĺ and Weijers, Dolf and Beeckman, Tom and Benková, Eva},
  journal      = {Nature Communications},
  publisher    = {Nature Publishing Group},
  title        = {{Cytokinin response factors regulate PIN-FORMED auxin transporters}},
  doi          = {10.1038/ncomms9717},
  volume       = {6},
  year         = {2015},
}