Programmed cell death is a common pattern of growth and development in both animals and plants. However, programmed cell death and related processes are not as generally recognized as central to plant growth. This is changing fast and is becoming more of a focus of intensive research. This edited work will bring under one cover recent reviews of programmed cell death, apoptosis and senescence.Summaries of the myriad aspects of cell death in plantsDiscussion of the broadest implications of these disparite resultsA unification of fields where there has been no cross talkEnables easy entry into diverse but related lines of research

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically encoded, active process which results in the death of individual cells, tissues, or whole organs. PCD plays an essential role in plant development and defense, and occurs throughout a plant’s lifecycle from the death of the embryonic suspensor to leaf and floral organ senescence. In plant biology, PCD is a relatively new research area, however, as its fundamental importance is further recognized, publications in the area are beginning to increase significantly. The field currently has few foundational reference books and there is a critical need for books that summarizes recent findings in this important area. This book contains chapters written by several of the world’s leading researchers in PCD. This book will be invaluable for PhD or graduate students, or for scientists and researchers entering the field. Established researchers will also find this timely work useful as an up-to-date overview of this fascinating research area.

The recognition of cell death as an active process has changed the way in which biologists view living things. Geneticists re-evaluate long known mutants, research strategies are redesigned, and new model systems are sought. This volume reviews our new understanding of programmed cell death as it applies to plants. The book draws comparisons with programmed cell death in animals and unicellular organisms. The book is directed at researchers and professionals in plant cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology and genetics.

Plant proteases are involved in most aspects of plant physiology and development, playing key roles in the generation of signaling molecules and as regulators of essential cellular processes such as cell division and metabolism. They take part in important pathways like protein turnover by the degradation of misfolded proteins and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and they are responsible for post-translational modifications of proteins by proteolysis at highly specific sites. Proteases are also implicated in a great variety of environmentally controlled processes, including mobilization of storage proteins during seed germination, development of seedlings, senescence, programmed cell death and defense mechanisms against pests and pathogens. However, in spite of their importance, little is known about the functions and mode of actions of specific plant proteases. This Research Topic collects contributions covering diverse aspects of plant proteases research.

This detailed volume explores numerous protocols that can be specifically used for studying plant programmed cell death (PCD), a mechanism involved in a number of physiological and pathological processes that are triggered by developmental requirements as well as changing/adverse environmental conditions. Rich in methodological recommendations, this book enables readers to perform the described analyses, alerting them to possible difficulties and showing how the methods can also be applied in different contexts and/or on different plant matrices. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Plant Programmed Cell Death: Methods and Protocols provides essential methodological information that will help researchers to expand the field of plant PCD studies.

Plants depend on physiological mechanisms to combat adverse environmental conditions, such as pathogen attack, wounding, drought, cold, freezing, salt, UV, intense light, heavy metals and SO2. Many of these cause excess production of active oxygen species in plant cells. Plants have evolved complex defense systems against such oxidative stress. The

The inflorescence of the monoecious maize plant is unique among the Gramineae in the sharp separation of the male and female structures. The male tassel at the terminus of the plant most often sheds pollen before the visual appearance of the receptive silks of th the female ear at a lateral bud, normally at the 10 leaf [I]. Earlier studies examined the ontogeny of the growing tissues beginning with the embryo in the kernel through to the obvious protuberances of the growing point as the kernel germinates. The differentiated developing soon-to-become tassel and the lateral bulges that develop into the ears on the lateral buds become apparent very early in the germinating kernel [2, 3, 46]. A certain number of cells are destined for tassel and ear development [8]. As the plant develops, there is a phase transition [\3, 16] from the vegetative lateral buds to the reproductive lateral buds. This change in phase has been ascribed to genotypic control as evidenced in the differences among different genotypes in the initiation of the reproductive [I]. The genetic control of tassel and ear initiation has been gleaned from anatomical observations. Lejeune and Bernier [I2] found that maize plants terminate the initiation of additional axillary meristems at the time of tassel initiation. This would indicate that the top-most ear shoot is initiated on the same day as the initiation of tassel development and this event signals the end of the undifferentiated growing point.

The molecular mechanisms which determine whether the cells of a multicellular organism will live or commit suicide have become a popular field of research in biology during the last decade. Cell death research in the plant field has also been expanding rapidly in the past 5 years. This special volume of Plant Molecular Biology seeks to bring together examples of a diverse array of experimental approaches in a single volume. From the differentiation of tracheary elements in vascular plants to the more specialized cell death model of the aleurone in cereals, this volume will bring the reader up-to-date with the characterization of different plant model systems that are currently being studied. This endeavor should complement general overviews of plant cell death mechanisms that have been published elsewhere by providing more detailed information on various aspects of this field to interested graduate students and more senior biologists alike.

This volume presents current methods to detect and measure the activity of proteolytic enzymes in organisms ranging from unicellular algae to flowering plants. Chapters detail in vitro production, characterization of plant proteases, tools for in vivo modifications, proteomic approaches for identification of substrates, inhibitors and interacting partners, and the function of plant proteases in plant programmed cell death. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Plant Proteases: Methods and Protocols aims to be a useful practical guide to researches to help further their study in this field. .