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To die or not to die? Lessons from lesion mimic mutants
Quentin Bruggeman1, Cécile Raynaud1, Moussa Benhamed2
1Institut de Biologie des Plantes, UMR CNRS 8618, Université Paris-Sud, Saclay Plant Sciences Orsay, France.
Abstract:
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a ubiquitous genetically regulated process consisting in an activation of finely controlled signaling pathways that lead to cellular suicide. Although some aspects of PCD control appear evolutionary conserved between plants, animals and fungi, the extent of conservation remains controversial. Over the last decades, identification and characterization of several lesion mimic mutants (LMM) has been a powerful tool in the quest to unravel PCD pathways in plants. Thanks to progress in molecular genetics, mutations causing the phenotype of a large number of LMM and their related suppressors were mapped, and the identification of the mutated genes shed light on major pathways in the onset of plant PCD such as (i) the involvements of chloroplasts and light energy, (ii) the roles of sphingolipids and fatty acids, (iii) a signal perception at the plasma membrane that requires efficient membrane trafficking, (iv) secondary messengers such as ion fluxes and ROS and (v) the control of gene expression as the last integrator of the signaling pathways.
Insights
Programmed cell death (PCD) in plants involves complex genetic pathways. Lesion mimic mutants have revealed key roles for chloroplasts, lipids, and signaling molecules in cellular suicide.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Genetics
- Cellular biology
Background:
- Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically regulated process crucial for multicellular organisms.
- While some PCD mechanisms are conserved across kingdoms, plant-specific pathways are less understood.
- Lesion mimic mutants (LMMs) have been instrumental in dissecting plant PCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the genetic regulation and molecular pathways underlying programmed cell death in plants.
- To identify key genetic components and signaling networks involved in plant PCD.
Main Methods:
- Genetic mapping of lesion mimic mutants (LMMs) and their suppressors.
- Molecular characterization of mutated genes.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in plant PCD.
Main Results:
- Identification of genes controlling plant PCD.
- Elucidation of pathways involving chloroplasts, light energy, and sphingolipids.
- Demonstration of roles for plasma membrane signaling, membrane trafficking, ion fluxes, ROS, and gene expression control.
Conclusions:
- Plant PCD is a complex, genetically controlled process with conserved and unique elements.
- LMMs have significantly advanced our understanding of plant PCD signaling networks.
- Key pathways identified provide targets for future research in plant development and stress response.
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