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1. Cryptic isoprene emission of soybeans

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2502360122  

   Mostofa, Mohammad Golam; Sahu, Abira; Xu, Yuan; Basrai, Insiya; Doron, Lior; Lefrancois, Violet; Sharkey, Thomas D (June 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

   Isoprene is the most abundant nonmethane biogenic hydrocarbon emitted by some plants, mostly trees. It plays critical roles in atmospheric chemistry by contributing to ozone and aerosol formation. Isoprene also benefits plants, particularly under stress, through its signaling roles. Legume crops like soybean were thought to have evolutionarily lost isoprene synthase (ISPS) and are typically considered nonemitters. Here, we report that damage to soybean leaves by wounding or burning triggered a burst of isoprene emission from the undamaged part of the leaves. In silico analysis identified intactISPSgenes in the soybean genome, with features similar to known ISPSs. Protein made from these gene sequences catalyzed isoprene production in the presence of dimethylallyl diphosphate. Isoprene emission in soybeans was linked to reduced photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductance. Metabolomic analysis showed that leaf damage caused a surge in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and pyruvate levels, leading to an increase of most of the methylerythritol 4-phosphate pathway metabolites. 

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2. The isoprene‐responsive phosphoproteome provides new insights into the putative signalling pathways and novel roles of isoprene

   https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14776  

   Weraduwage, Sarathi M; Whitten, Douglas; Kulke, Martin; Sahu, Abira; Vermaas, Josh V; Sharkey, Thomas D (April 2024, Plant, Cell & Environment)

   Abstract Many plants, especially trees, emit isoprene in a highly light‐ and temperature‐dependent manner. The advantages for plants that emit, if any, have been difficult to determine. Direct effects on membranes have been disproven. New insights have been obtained by RNA sequencing, proteomic and metabolomic studies. We determined the responses of the phosphoproteome to exposure ofArabidopsisleaves to isoprene in the gas phase for either 1 or 5 h. Isoprene effects that were not apparent from RNA sequencing and other methods but were apparent in the phosphoproteome include effects on chloroplast movement proteins and membrane remodelling proteins. Several receptor kinases were found to have altered phosphorylation levels. To test whether potential isoprene receptors could be identified, we used molecular dynamics simulations to test for proteins that might have strong binding to isoprene and, therefore might act as receptors. Although manyArabidopsisproteins were found to have slightly higher binding affinities than a reference set ofHomo sapiensproteins, no specific receptor kinase was found to have a very high binding affinity. The changes in chloroplast movement, photosynthesis capacity and so forth, found in this work, are consistent with isoprene responses being especially useful in the upper canopy of trees. 

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3. Emerging Nonvalence Anion States of [Isoprene-H·]·H ₂ O Accessed via Detachment of OH ^– ·Isoprene

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.0c01250  

   Dobulis, Marissa A.; Thompson, Michael C.; Patros, Kellyn M.; Sommerfeld, Thomas; Jarrold, Caroline Chick (March 2020, The Journal of Physical Chemistry A)
4. Direct ink writing of piezoresistive isoprene rubber nanocomposites

   https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.29535  

   Banks, James D; Emami, Anahita (July 2025, Polymer Composites)

   Abstract Despite the growing interest in flexible electronics and wearable sensors, research in piezoresistive polymer nanocomposites has stagnated in consideration of the polymer matrices, particularly in additive manufacturing (AM) applications. This research focuses on using a low‐molecular isoprene rubber (IR) as a matrix filled with carbonaceous nanoparticles conductive carbon black (CCB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) to create piezoresistive sensors printed via direct ink writing (DIW). Using IR as a matrix not only provides an avenue for an alternate sensor matrix, but also offers a distinct advantage for retrofit sensor applications to other diene rubber substrates due to both the feedstock and substrate possessing the same vulcanization mechanism. Thereby, the rheological, mechanical, and piezoresistive properties of the IR nanocomposites are fully investigated, with emphasis on non‐ambient conditions (temperature and durability). In this work it is shown that while CCB exhibits a lower gauge factor (between 1.5 and 8) across all strain rates, strain ranges, and temperatures when compared to CNT compounds (gauge factors between 1.5 and 260), CCB compounds possess better linearity, less temperature deviation, and overall better performance under cyclic loading conditions. This is followed by demonstrations for real‐world applications, including the direct‐to‐product printing of a CCB strain gauge on a chloroprene rubber substrate. HighlightsAM via DIW of piezoresistive isoprene sensors filled with conductive CB and multi‐wall carbon nanotubes.Printed samples capable of achieving tensile strength >3.5 MPa.CB sensors showed less sensitivity, but better durability and repeatability compared to carbon nanotube filled sensors.Piezoresistive isoprene strain gauge printed on chloroprene substrate with direct adhesion. 

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5. Multiple Stable Isoprene–Ozone Complexes Reveal Complex Entrance Channel Dynamics in the Isoprene + Ozone Reaction

   https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.0c02360  

   Kumar, Manoj; Shee, James; Rudshteyn, Benjamin; Reichman, David R.; Friesner, Richard A.; Miller, Charles E.; Francisco, Joseph S. (June 2020, Journal of the American Chemical Society)

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