title: Linking Metabolism to Membrane Signaling: The GABA-Malate Connection.
abstract: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration increases rapidly in tissues when plants encounter abiotic or biotic stress, and GABA manipulation affects growth. This, coupled to GABA's well-described role as a neurotransmitter in mammals, led to over a decade of speculation that GABA is a signal in plants. The discovery of GABA-regulated anion channels in plants provides compelling mechanistic proof that GABA is a legitimate plant-signaling molecule. Here we examine research avenues unlocked by this finding and propose that these plant 'GABA receptors' possess novel properties ideally suited to translating changes in metabolic status into physiological responses. Specifically, we suggest they have a role in signaling altered cycling of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) intermediates during stress via eliciting changes in electrical potential differences across membranes.
authors.affiliation: Plant Transport and Signalling Lab, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology and School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Research Precinct, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia. Electronic address: matthew.gilliham@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilliham
authors.affiliation: Plant Transport and Signalling Lab, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology and School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Research Precinct, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Tyerman
mesh_terms: D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D008293:Malates / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010641:Phenotype; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008293:Malates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid