PLANTELEXIGNAL

Disclosing the molecular bases of electrical signalling in plants

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'A plant needs to be able to communicate between its various parts so as to enable one part of the plant to inform the rest of any detected stimulus. This allows a co-ordinated physiological response to any external stimuli. Electrical signals such as action potentials (APs) are by far the fastest signalling mechanisms in plants. They are able to broadcast information rapidly throughout a plant, so the whole plant can be almost instantaneously notified of any impending threat or change in circumstance. Thus, APs could be vital in the response of plants to environmental stress. Despite their importance, huge questions remain about the mechanisms behind electrical signalling. Although there is a model for the generation and propagation of plant APs, which involves the cellular influx of calcium and efflux of chloride and potassium through ion channels, little is known about the molecular identify or the regulation of these channels. This is despite the rapidly increasing knowledge about ion transport mechanisms in model plant species such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Focusing on APs in Arabidopsis, this project aims to fill this gap, with the overall aim of “providing a model describing the molecular mechanisms underlying the inception and the propagation of electrical signals in plant tissues”. This project will therefore bring together ion transport mechanisms and electrical signalling in Arabidopsis. The involvement and the regulation of the ion channels involved in mediating ion fluxes during an AP will be intensively investigated, resulting finally in a mathematical model of electrical signalling in plants. The proposal will bring together three groups with expertise in (i) molecular electrophysiology of plant ion channels, (ii) electrophysiology, especially in relation to electrical signalling and (iii) computer-assisted mathematical modelling of plant biological processes, along with a returning European electrophysiologist with expertise in ion transport.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A recent research project has taken a step towards understanding electrical signalling in plants.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Electrical signals known as action potentials (APs) are a ubiquitous and rapid signalling system in plants. While a rudimentary model for how APs are transmitted has been proposed, this system remains poorly understood.

The EU-funded 'Disclosing the molecular bases of electrical signalling in plants' (PLANTELEXIGNAL) project looked for the molecular mechanisms in plant cells that enable them to produce and propagate APs. Researchers studied Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant species, using genetic engineering and sophisticated sensor systems.

Specifically, the project studied two potassium (K+) channels, which are proteins in the cell wall thought to be responsible for maintaining APs in cells. In addition, researchers investigated changes in the concentration of calcium (Ca2+), which is also linked to signalling in plants.

They found that two K+ channels, called AKT2 and GORK, controlled different aspects of APs in plants. AKT2 controls the likelihood of an AP being propagated to nearby cells, while GORK influences the amplitude and length of the signal.

Using sophisticated sensing equipment, PLANTELEXIGNAL found that AP-like and Ca2+ signals occurred in similar regions of the plant, such as the veins of leaves. In addition, they travelled at similar speeds through the plant, suggesting a link between Ca2+ signalling and APs.

The work of PLANTELEXIGNAL has revealed specific molecules involved in AP signalling in plants for the first time. This will provide a basis to study electrical signalling in plants in much greater detail.