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Is cell polarity under mechanical control in plants?
Olivier Hamant1, Elliot M Meyerowitz, Jan Traas
1INRA, CNRS, ENS, Université de Lyon, Lyon Cedex, France. Olivier.Hamant@ens-lyon.fr
Plant Signaling & Behavior
|January 25, 2011
Summary
Physical forces shape plant cells by influencing growth and cell wall structure. This study reveals that mechanical stress controls auxin efflux carrier PIN1 localization, linking growth rate and cell polarity.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Cellular mechanics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Plant cells face significant mechanical stress from turgor pressure, leading to supracellular force patterns.
- Cortical microtubules reorient to resist mechanical stress by altering cell wall structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of physical forces in controlling the polar localization of the auxin efflux carrier PIN1.
- To link cell growth rate and anisotropy through a common mechanical signaling pathway.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mechanical stress effects on plant cell growth.
- Investigating the localization of PIN1 in response to mechanical cues.
Main Results:
- Physical forces directly control the polar localization of PIN1.
- This control links cell growth rate and anisotropy via a shared mechanical signal.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical signaling is crucial for plant morphogenesis, influencing cell polarity.
- Extracellular matrix properties play a key signaling role, akin to animal systems.
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