Researchers have discovered a new molecular recycling process that helps plants endure prolonged stress. The study, published in PNAS, shows how trafficking proteins gather at tiny “contact sites” between the cell’s plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum.
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An international team of researchers has uncovered a new molecular recycling mechanism that helps plants survive prolonged environmental stress. Published in PNAS, the study reveals how specific trafficking proteins gather at nanoscopic “contact sites” — small regions where the cell’s outer plasma membrane closely aligns with the internal endoplasmic reticulum.
These proteins form bridges between the membranes, creating pathways for recycling signalling molecules that help plants adapt their physiology in response to stress, according to a press release.
Plants naturally deploy a wide range of mechanisms to cope with environmental challenges such as drought, temperature extremes, poor soil nutrition, pests, and disease. Despite often thriving under suboptimal conditions, the increasing severity and unpredictability of these stresses due to climate change demand new strategies to future-proof agriculture. Understanding how plants use internal signalling to boost resilience offers promising avenues to develop hardier crops that can better withstand the pressures of a changing climate.
“We have shown in this work how small lipid signalling molecules produced at the intersection of cell membranes can contribute to whole plant stress resilience”, said Prof. Miguel Botella of the Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea “Lay Mayora” (IHSM), Spain, who led the study team. “Using genetics, molecular techniques, advanced microscopy and cutting-edge analysis techniques, we have been able to show how these molecules have distinct locations in plant cells under different circumstances.” Overall, the study reveals how small lipid molecules are transported to the endoplasmic reticulum where they are modified and returned to the plasma membrane with new functionality.
The Rothamsted lipidomics team were a key part of the collaboration. Professor Johnathan Napier said “It is great to get the chance to work with experts from different fields”
The work was led by IHSM-CSIC-UMA, as well as national and international collaborators from CIB, Spain, ENS Lyon (France) and Rothamsted Research in the UK.
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