Tracking the messengers: Emerging advances in mRNA-based plant communication

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Cellular signaling
• Plant physiology

Background:

• Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are key for protein synthesis but also function in cell-to-cell communication.
• Plants integrate internal and external signals to regulate mRNA transport for specific responses.
• Mobile mRNAs exist as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes during transport.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in mRNA transport mechanisms in plants.
• To focus on ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex formation and plasmodesmata (PD) transport.
• To discuss the roles of mRNA transport in intra- and inter-organism communication.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advances (2-3 years).
• Analysis of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex formation.
• Examination of plasmodesmata (PD) interactions and transport selectivity.

Main Results:

• mRNA transport is regulated by RNP complex composition.
• Plasmodesmata (PD) are crucial mediators of selective mRNA movement.
• mRNA transport plays roles in local and systemic signaling, and inter-organism communication.

Conclusions:

• Understanding RNP-PD interactions is key to deciphering mRNA transport.
• Mobile mRNAs are vital for plant development, stress responses, and communication.
• Non-cell-autonomous mRNA signaling has broader implications, including inter-organism interactions.