Systemic signaling in response to wounding and pathogens.

Area of Science:

• Plant biology
• Plant physiology
• Molecular signaling

Background:

• Plants possess systemic signaling networks for translating local stress perception into plant-wide responses.
• Information transfer occurs via phloem/transpiration streams (hormones, RNAs) and rapid vascular signals.
• Rapid signals move bi-directionally, independent of bulk flow, at speeds up to hundreds of μm/s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms of rapid, systemic signaling in plants.
• To identify key molecular players and pathways involved in stress signal propagation.
• To determine if distinct stimuli utilize shared or parallel rapid signaling networks.

Main Methods:

• Investigating self-reinforcing systems involving calcium (Ca2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Analyzing parallel electrical signaling events during stress response.
• Identifying molecular components like ion channels and NADPH oxidases.

Main Results:

• Rapid signaling waves involving Ca2+ and ROS, coupled with electrical events, propagate through the vasculature.
• These signals prime unchallenged tissues for enhanced defense or stress responses.
• Key molecular players include ion channels, Ca2+, ROS, and NADPH oxidases.

Conclusions:

• Plants employ rapid, electrical signaling systems in the vasculature for systemic stress communication.
• These systems prime distal tissues, enhancing overall plant resilience.
• A key open question is whether different stresses converge on a single rapid signaling pathway or utilize multiple parallel pathways.