Touch induces ATP release in Arabidopsis roots that is modulated by the heterotrimeric G-protein complex.
Amongst the many stimuli orienting the growth of plant roots, of critical importance are the touch signals generated as roots explore the mechanically complex soil environment. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these sensory events remain poorly defined. We report an impaired obstacle-avoiding response of roots in Arabidopsis lacking a heterotrimeric G-protein. Obstacle avoidance may utilize a touch-induced release of ATP to the extracellular space. While sequential touch stimulation revealed a strong refractory period for ATP release in response to mechano-stimulation in wild-type plants, the refractory period in mutants was attenuated, resulting in extracellular ATP accumulation. We propose that ATP acts as an extracellular signal released by mechano-stimulation and that the G-protein complex is needed for fine-tuning this response.
Weerasinghe
Ravisha R
RR
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Swanson
Sarah J
SJ
Okada
Seiko F
SF
Garrett
Michele B
MB
Kim
Sung-Yong
SY
Stacey
Gary
G
Boucher
Richard C
RC
Gilroy
Simon
S
Jones
Alan M
AM
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins