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UDP-Glucose: A Potential Signaling Molecule in Plants?
Henry Christopher Janse van Rensburg1, Wim Van den Ende1
1Laboratory of Molecular Plant Biology, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|January 30, 2018
Summary
UDP-Glucose may act as an extracellular signaling molecule in plants, influencing growth and programmed cell death (PCD). Reduced levels impair growth, while excess induces PCD, suggesting a role in plant defense signaling.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Signaling
- Cellular Processes
Background:
- UDP-Glucose is a known extracellular signaling molecule in animals.
- Its role in plant signaling is an emerging area of research.
- Plant growth and defense mechanisms are complex and involve various signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on UDP-Glucose's potential role as a signaling molecule in plants.
- To explore the effects of UDP-Glucose levels on plant growth, biomass, and programmed cell death (PCD).
- To investigate UDP-Glucose's involvement in plant responses to pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of altered UDP-Glucose levels on plant tissues.
- Examination of gene expression related to UDP-Glucose production.
- Observation of plant responses to exogenous UDP-Glucose application.
- Assessment of plant sensitivity to pathogen-induced PCD under varying UDP-Glucose conditions.
Main Results:
- Reduced UDP-Glucose levels lead to abnormal vegetative and reproductive growth, which can be rescued by exogenous UDP-Glucose.
- Increased biomass accumulation correlates with up-regulated UDP-Glucose production genes.
- Excessive UDP-Glucose, both endogenous and exogenous, induces programmed cell death (PCD).
- Plants with decreased UDP-Glucose exhibit insensitivity to pathogen-induced PCD.
Conclusions:
- UDP-Glucose likely functions as an extracellular signaling molecule in plants.
- It may be perceived as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP).
- UDP-Glucose plays a role in regulating plant growth, development, and defense responses, including PCD.
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