Stromules: Signal Conduits for Plant Immunity.
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute-Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 90338, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Developmental Cell
|July 8, 2015
Summary
Plants use chloroplasts to create immune signals. New research shows these signals travel through stromules to the nucleus, aiding defense against pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Cellular immunology
- Molecular plant-pathogen interactions
Background:
- Chloroplasts are key sites for generating plant immune signals.
- Understanding intercellular communication in plant immunity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of chloroplasts and stromules in plant immune signaling.
- To elucidate the mechanism of immune signal transmission from chloroplasts to the nucleus.
Main Methods:
- Investigated chloroplast stromules in plant cells.
- Analyzed signal transmission pathways during effector-triggered immunity.
Main Results:
- Chloroplasts produce crucial immune signals.
- Stromules act as conduits for transmitting these signals.
- Signal transmission occurs during effector-triggered immunity.
Conclusions:
- Chloroplast-derived stromules are essential for relaying immune signals to the nucleus.
- This mechanism is vital for effective plant defense responses.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
7.1K
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
7.1K
02:32Plasmodesmata
36.3K
The organs in a multicellular organism’s body are made up of tissues formed by cells. To work together cohesively, cells must communicate. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
36.3K
01:20Plasmodesmata
4.6K
In a multicellular organism, cells must communicate to work together in a coordinated manner. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...
4.6K
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
48.8K
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
48.8K
02:26Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
30.0K
Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
30.0K
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
18.2K
Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
18.2K