Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) are members of the metallo-phosphoesterase family and have been known to play important roles in P acquisition and recycling in plants. Li et al. identify 35 PAP genes from genomes of soybean, Glycine max, and use quantitative real-time PCR to analyse the expression patterns in response to P deficiency and symbiosis. They [...]

Novel border-like cells in woody plant roots Root border cells play a critical role in root growth and microbial association, although their detachment patterns are divergent among plant species. Endo et al. describe a detailed pattern of synthesis, separation and survival of distinct border-like cells that form a sheath surrounding the root apex of a tree, [...]

Hourglass cells (HGC) are prominent cells in the legume seed coat. Miller et al. (pp. 235–242) document HGC development in soybean, Glycine max, and relate structural changes to expression of an HGC-specific soybean peroxidase (SBP). SBP protein and activity are detectable in HGCs before differentiation is complete; furthermore, activity appears vacuolar, as predicted. These results [...]