Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
08:54
Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System
Published on: March 20, 2016
10.4K
A PtdIns(4)P-driven electrostatic field controls cell membrane identity and signalling in plants
Mathilde Laetitia Audrey Simon1, Matthieu Pierre Platre1, Maria Mar Marquès-Bueno1
1Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, CNRS, INRA, F-69342 Lyon, France.
Nature Plants
|June 21, 2016
Summary
Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) establishes a unique electrostatic signature on plant plasma membranes, influencing protein localization and function. This lipid
Area of Science:
- Plant cell biology
- Membrane biophysics
- Molecular signaling
Background:
- Signaling proteins localize to organelles, with lipids defining compartment identity.
- Membrane biophysical properties, like surface potential, are crucial for cellular territories.
- Lipid composition dictates organelle-specific membrane properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of lipids in defining plant plasma membrane (PM) and cell plate electrostatic signatures.
- To identify specific lipids responsible for unique membrane properties in plants.
- To understand how membrane surface charges influence protein localization and function in plants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lipid composition and membrane electrostatic properties.
- Investigating the localization and function of key signaling proteins.
- Utilizing genetic and biochemical approaches to study PtdIns(4)P roles.
Main Results:
- Plant PM and cell plate exhibit a unique electrostatic signature driven by phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P).
- PtdIns(4)P massively accumulates at the plant PM, unlike in other eukaryotes.
- Membrane surface charges controlled by PtdIns(4)P affect the localization and function of PINOID and BKI1/MAKR proteins.
Conclusions:
- PtdIns(4)P is a critical hallmark of the plant plasma membrane, defining its unique electrostatic properties.
- These PtdIns(4)P-driven membrane properties regulate the localization and function of essential signaling proteins.
- This mechanism is anticipated to control numerous proteins involved in plant development, reproduction, immunity, and nutrition.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
6.9K
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...
6.9K
01:42Phosphoinositides and PIPs
10.5K
Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
10.5K
01:11IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
15.7K
Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and...
15.7K
01:14Cell Adhesion in Plants
3.5K
Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
3.5K
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
48.4K
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...
48.4K
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
18.0K
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.
18.0K