Scientists explore self-defence in plants

When plants are damaged, they risk losing nutrients and being infected by microbes. As a result, they have developed sophisticated defence mechanisms. Each plant cell has the ability to activate protective responses to heal damaged tissue and prevent microbe infections. The ability of plants to “sense” danger is based on the recognition of certain molecular patterns by receptors, proteins located on the membranes of plant cells.

A large number of signalling molecules that play an active role in communication between plant cells were recently discovered. But it remained unclear what exactly happened with these molecules and how they were involved in the self-defence mechanism. The researchers have now visualised this process through studying the thale cress plant.

The study shows that signalling molecules are recognised very quickly by receptors, activating the plant’s defence responses. After that, the molecule is “engulfed” and broken down by the cell, to neutralise the alarm signal. The researchers showed that a protein called clathrin is essential in this defence system.

The findings could help scientists modulate the behaviour of food production plants, so they are better protected against environmental factors.

Photo courtesy VIB