The protein that feels thirst: SAM8 as a molecular water sensor
Plant Science Research WeeklyHow a cell detects a drop in water potential, the physical signal of drought or salinity, has been a long-standing puzzle. Wang et al. identified SAM8, an Arabidopsis protein that reversibly condenses into nuclear droplets when cellular water becomes scarce. When water is freely available, a negatively…
Closing the gates: Plasmodesmal closure triggers stress responses
Plant Science Research WeeklyPlasmodesmata are membrane-lined bridges between adjacent plant cells that control the exchange of signaling molecules and nutrients between neighbouring cells. Biotic stress is known to cause the rapid closure of plasmodesmata via callose deposition; however, its precise role in immune responses remains…
Spatial organization of ROS signaling at the plasma membrane
Plant Science Research WeeklyGenetic studies in Arabidopsis have identified a lot of the participants in signal transduction pathways, but often its less clear precisely where they function. As an example, although it is well known that H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) production by RBOHs in the apoplast triggers many downstream cellular…