AbstractPea soup again: Quantitative trait loci and protein quantity lociDirectly and indirectly, legumes make up a significant fraction of the world's protein diet. Understanding the genetic and environmental components that direct the accumulation of the seed protein will become increasingly important as the demands for more high‐grade food escalate. Bourgeois et al. used both proteomic and classical genetic techniques to begin elucidating control methods for the accumulation of seed proteins. Looking at genetic variability, another group found that up to 60% of variability was due to genetic rather than environmental factors and called the genes “Protein Quantity Loci.” As many as six PQLs may be required to control one storage protein (from a set of 39 vicilins, 36 convicilins, 19 legumins, and globulins for one pea strain). Seed storage involves putting specific proteins in specific vesicles.Bourgeois, M. et al., Proteomics 2011, 11, 1581–1594.Plants – armed and dangerousJust because a plant can't sink fangs into your jugular vein doesn't mean it is lacking effective defense systems, just ask anyone who has stepped into a nettle patch or brushed against poison ivy about the effectiveness of dermal irritation as a protection system. Maintaining such a defense system is metabolically expensive, so plants have developed several regulatory systems that produce some types of “ammo” on demand and some types constitutively. In this paper, Holzmeister et al. examine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in communicating and signaling defenses. The principal mode is through S‐nitrosylation, a readily reversible modification of protein sulfur groups. A key molecule is S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) which, with GSNO reductase, has a major role in NO homeostasis. The system is explored with knockout and WT strains of Arabidopsis, infection with virulent and avirulent strains of Pseudomonas DC3000.Holzmeister, C. et al., Proteomics 2011, 11, 1664–1683.Global warming: Pre‐baked bread?What ever it's source, it is clear that a global shift in temperature variability and mean annual temperatures is occurring, from the snows of Kilimanjaro and Fuji to the dining and mating patterns of polar bears and penguins. Humans have only come to recognize these changes relatively recently, primarily as extreme weather events – hot spells, dry spells, cold spells, and wet spells – that perturb our lives. Unfortunately, there is no global air conditioner or emergency overflow valve. So we must “know our enemy.” Yang et al. are examining the proteomic effect of heat (32°C) or drought or both on the wheat plant (Triticum aestivum) during vegetative growth (taller) or during generative growth (head filling). These researchers found that under growth stress, the plants did not exhibit a change in grain weight. However, examination by 2‐DE/MALDI revealed significant changes in all four groups of seed proteins (albumin – decrease, globulin – increase, gliadins – increase, glutenins – increase).Yang, F. et al., Proteomics 2011, 11, 1684–1695.