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Exocyst functions in plants: secretion and autophagy
1Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
FEBS Letters
|June 22, 2022
Summary
The plant exocyst complex, particularly EXO70 proteins, plays a surprising role in autophagy and host defense. These exocyst variations are crucial for various cellular processes beyond secretion.
Area of Science:
- Plant Cell Biology
- Molecular Plant Science
- Autophagy Research
Background:
- Tethering complexes, like the exocyst, are essential for vesicle-target compartment interactions.
- The plant exocyst, potentially stabilized by SEC3-EXO70A interaction, mediates vesicle exocytosis at specific membrane domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diverse functions of plant exocyst complexes beyond canonical exocytosis.
- To explore the roles of different EXO70 subfamilies in plant cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of exocyst complex structure and function in plants.
- Investigating the involvement of EXO70-exocyst variants in autophagy, host defense, and metabolite transport.
Main Results:
- Plant exocyst complexes, with distinct EXO70 subfamilies, exhibit varied functions within the same cell.
- Some EXO70-exocyst versions are implicated in autophagy, host defense, cell wall fortification, and secondary metabolite transport.
- EXO70Ds function as selective autophagy receptors in cytokinin signaling, and their involvement suggests secretory autophagy in plants.
Conclusions:
- The plant exocyst is a versatile complex with diverse roles, including autophagy and defense.
- Evolution of EXO70 subfamilies has led to specialized exocyst functions in plants.
- Evidence suggests the possibility of secretory autophagy mediated by EXO70-containing complexes in plants.
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