Stress‐adaptive gene discovery by exploiting collective decision‐making of decentralised plant response systems

Chivasa, Stephen; Goodman, Heather L.

doi:10.1111/nph.16273

Stress‐adaptive gene discovery by exploiting collective decision‐making of decentralised plant response systems

Chivasa, Stephen; Goodman, Heather L.

Authors

Dr Stephen Chivasa stephen.chivasa@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Heather L. Goodman

Abstract

Despite having a network of cytoplasmic interconnections (plasmodesmata) facilitating rapid exchange of metabolites and signal molecules, plant cells use the extracellular matrix as an alternative route for cell‐cell communication. The need for extracellular signalling in plasmodesmata‐networked tissues is baffling. We propose the hypothesis that this phenomenon defines the plant extracellular matrix as a “democratic space” for collective decision‐making in a decentralised system, similar to quorum‐sensing in bacteria. Extracellular communication enables signal integration and coordination across several cell layers through ligand‐activated plasma membrane receptors. Recent results from drought stress‐adaptive responses and light‐mediated signalling in cell death activation show operational utility of this decision‐making process. We discuss opportunities for new innovations in drought gene discovery using platforms targeting the extracellular matrix.

Citation

Chivasa, S., & Goodman, H. L. (2020). Stress‐adaptive gene discovery by exploiting collective decision‐making of decentralised plant response systems. New Phytologist, 225(6), 2307-2313. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16273

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 10, 2019
Online Publication Date	Oct 18, 2019
Publication Date	Mar 31, 2020
Deposit Date	Nov 1, 2019
Publicly Available Date	Nov 12, 2019
Journal	New Phytologist
Print ISSN	0028-646X
Electronic ISSN	1469-8137
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	225
Issue	6
Pages	2307-2313
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16273