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MLO-mediated Ca2+ influx regulates root hair tip growth in Arabidopsis

Sienna T Ogawa1,2, Weiwei Zhang1,2,3, Christopher J Staiger1,2,3

  • 1Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, 915 Mitch Daniels Blvd, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.

The New Phytologist
|July 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The FER/MLO signaling module regulates root hair growth by controlling calcium and ROS levels. This study reveals MLO proteins mediate calcium influx and ROS production, essential for tip growth.

Area of Science:

  • Plant biology
  • Cell signaling
  • Molecular genetics

Background:

  • Root hair tip growth requires coordinated calcium (Ca2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling for elongation and integrity.
  • MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS-O (MLO) proteins function downstream of FERONIA (FER) receptor-like kinases, influencing calcium dynamics in pollen tubes and synergids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a novel role for the FER/MLO signaling module in regulating cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) oscillations during root hair tip growth.
  • To utilize a constitutively active MLO (faNTA) to manipulate Ca2+ influx in fer mutants and elucidate FER/MLO pathway functions.

Main Methods:

  • Light sheet fluorescence imaging of the R-GECO1 reporter to visualize [Ca2+]cyt dynamics during root hair elongation.
  • Analysis of root hair development, [Ca2+]cyt oscillations, and ROS levels in various genetic backgrounds, including fer mutants and mlo15 mutants.

Main Results:

  • Constitutively active MLO (faNTA) restored normal root hair development, [Ca2+]cyt oscillations, and ROS levels in the fer-4 mutant.
  • MLO15 was identified as a key regulator of root hair tip growth, with mlo15-4 mutants exhibiting disrupted growth and altered [Ca2+]cyt signatures.
  • The FER/MLO module was linked to ROS accumulation, as faNTA restored ROS levels in fer-4 but not in rbohc mutants.

Conclusions:

  • MLO proteins act downstream of FER, mediating Ca2+ influx and promoting ROS production to regulate root hair tip growth.
  • The FER/MLO signaling module is crucial for maintaining root hair tip growth integrity through coordinated Ca2+ and ROS signaling.
Keywords:
FERONIAMLOROScalciumroot hairtip growth

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