Current estimates indicate that ~3 billion people suffer from iron deficiency and plant foods serve as the principal source of iron for most people. In addition, ~30% of the world's soils are considered iron-limiting for plant growth. Improving iron uptake and partitioning in plants could therefore have dramatic effects on plant and human health. Research in the Connolly Lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of micronutrient uptake and trafficking in plants. We are particularly interested in the mechanisms that underlie the delivery of iron to mitochondria and chloroplasts. In addition, we have a long-term goal of elucidating the mechanisms that function to maintain iron homeostasis in plants.
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Recent Publications
Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens
Poudel, P., Di Gioia, F., Lambert, J. D. & Connolly, E. L., 2023, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 14, 1177844.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Species-specific duplication event associated with elevated levels of nonstructural carbohydrates in Sorghum bicolor
Brenton, Z. W., Juengst, B. T., Cooper, E. A., Myers, M. T., Jordan, K. E., Dale, S. M., Glaubitz, J. C., Wang, X., Boyles, R. E., Connolly, E. L. & Kresovich, S., May 1 2020, In: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. 10, 5, p. 1511-1520 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Alteration of iron responsive gene expression in Arabidopsis glutaredoxin S17 loss of function plants with or without iron stress
Cheng, N., Yu, H., Rao, X., Park, S., Connolly, E. L., Hirschi, K. D. & Nakata, P. A., Jun 2 2020, In: Plant signaling & behavior. 15, 6, p. 1758455 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Mitochondrial Iron Transporters (MIT1 and MIT2) Are Essential for Iron Homeostasis and Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Jain, A., Dashner, Z. S. & Connolly, E. L., Nov 25 2019, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 10, 1449.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Directing iron transport in dicots: regulation of iron acquisition and translocation
Jeong, J., Merkovich, A., Clyne, M. & Connolly, E. L., Oct 2017, In: Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 39, p. 106-113 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Arabidopsis glutaredoxin S17 contributes to vegetative growth, mineral accumulation, and redox balance during iron deficiency
Yu, H., Yang, J., Shi, Y., Donelson, J., Thompson, S. M., Sprague, S., Roshan, T., Wang, D. L., Liu, J., Park, S., Nakata, P. A., Connolly, E. L., Hirschi, K. D., Grusak, M. A. & Cheng, N., Jun 19 2017, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 8, 1045.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Integration of experiments across diverse environments identifies the genetic determinants of variation in sorghum bicolor seed element composition
Shakoor, N., Ziegler, G., Dilkes, B. P., Brenton, Z., Boyles, R., Connolly, E. L., Kresovich, S. & Baxter, I., Apr 2016, In: Plant physiology. 170, 4, p. 1989-1998 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The diverse roles of FRO family metalloreductases in iron and copper homeostasis
Jain, A., Wilson, G. T. & Connolly, E. L., Mar 21 2014, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 5, MAR, 100.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Mitochondrial iron transport and homeostasis in plants
Jain, A. & Connolly, E. L., Sep 6 2013, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 4, SEP, 348.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Running a little late: Chloroplast Fe status and the circadian clock
Wilson, G. T. & Connolly, E. L., Feb 20 2013, In: EMBO Journal. 32, 4, p. 490-492 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Transcriptome sequencing identifies SPL7-regulated copper acquisition genes FRO4/FRO5 and the copper dependence of iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis
Bernal, M., Casero, D., Singh, V., Wilson, G. T., Grande, A., Yang, H., Dodani, S. C., Pellegrini, M., Huijser, P., Connolly, E. L., Merchant, S. S. & Krämer, U., Feb 2012, In: Plant Cell. 24, 2, p. 738-761 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Differential expression and regulation of iron-regulated metal transporters in Arabidopsis halleri and Arabidopsis thaliana - the role in zinc tolerance
Shanmugam, V., Lo, J. C., Wu, C. L., Wang, S. L., Lai, C. C., Connolly, E. L., Huang, J. L. & Yeh, K. C., Apr 2011, In: New Phytologist. 190, 1, p. 125-137 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Glycine betaine enhances extracellular processes blocking ROS signaling during stress
Einset, J. & Connolly, E. L., Mar 2009, In: Plant Signaling and Behavior. 4, 3, p. 197-199 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Iron uptake mechanisms in plants: Functions of the FRO family of ferric reductases
Jeong, J. & Connolly, E. L., Jun 2009, In: Plant Science. 176, 6, p. 709-714 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Raising the bar for biofortification: enhanced levels of bioavailable calcium in carrots
Connolly, E. L., Aug 2008, In: Trends in Biotechnology. 26, 8, p. 401-403 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review