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The power of ionic movements in plants
Rainer Hedrich1,2,3, Ines Kreuzer4
1Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, No. 1 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, 518107, Shenzhen, China.
The New Phytologist
|December 9, 2025
Summary
Researchers are advancing the study of plant action potentials using new optogenetic tools. These light-activated methods enable remote control of membrane potential and ion signaling, enhancing our understanding of plant communication.
Area of Science:
- Plant electrophysiology
- Plant signaling
- Optogenetics
Background:
- Plant action potentials, ion-driven electrogenic events, have been studied since Darwin's era.
- Early studies were limited by the lack of real-time tools for monitoring membrane potential and ion concentrations, especially calcium (Ca2+).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the advancements in tools for studying plant action potentials.
- To introduce optogenetic tools for noninvasive, remote control of plant cell signaling.
- To discuss the potential of these tools for future research in plant signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological techniques (current- and voltage-recording electrodes).
- Development and application of genetically encoded, noninvasive optogenetic tools (light-gated ion channels).
- Use of reporters for ionic and electrical impulses, including Ca2+ and H+.
Main Results:
- A growing spectrum of online tools is now available for monitoring membrane potential and ion concentration changes.
- Optogenetic tools, adapted from neurobiology, offer remote control of membrane potential and ionic messengers.
- These tools represent a significant advancement over previous methods.
Conclusions:
- Optogenetic tools combined with reporters enable detailed study of early membrane-delimited signaling steps in plants.
- Future research can utilize this toolbox to investigate how plants process electrical and Ca2+ signals for information management.
- This technology opens new avenues for understanding long-distance and local communication within plants.
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