Molecular Genetics of Root Gravitropism
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Development and Morphogenesis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2019) | Viewed by 4886
Special Issue Editors
Interests: deciphering the molecular mechanisms regulating plant-environment interactions, particularly, the molecular mechanisms regulating plant response to gravity and microgravity; the communication plants-soil fungi/bacteria during symbiosis establishment and the impact of mechanical stimuli on root system architecture
2. Plant physiology and photobiology, University Philipps of Marburg, Karl von Fritsch Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
Interests: analysis of molecular and cellular signalling events related to gravity and light perception in roots and stems, in particular, Ca2+-related events driving trans-golgi vesicular PIN-protein traffic to establish gravity or light induced asymmetry of the auxin flux
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Since it was first described by Knight in 1906, gravity has fascinated several generations of researchers. Gravitropism is a process by which the growth of plant organs is slowly reoriented, in order to align according to the direction of the gravity vector. The ability to perceive and respond to gravity is crucial for plants as negative gravitropic growth (upward) enables the ideal positioning of aerial photosynthesis organs, whereas positive gravitropic growth of the root allows it to access water and nutrients present in the soil.
It is well established that root and shoot gravitropic responses involve gravistimulated displacement of starch-filled amyloplasts (also known as statoliths) located in shoot endodermis (starch sheath) and root tip columela cells. This physical stimulus is converted into a physiological signal; the asymmetric distribution of the plant hormone auxin, which is facilitated within the root tissues by the coordinated activity of auxin influx and efflux carriers. The asymmetric distribution of auxin is responsible for asymmetric growth causing the curvature of the root. In gravistimulated roots, the initial response of gravity sensing is considered to be the statoliths sedimentation within membrane domains at the bottom of statocytes, which elicit signals (Ca2+and H+) prior to auxin redistribution. However, despite the exponential growth of scientific knowledge in this field, fundamental questions remain unanswered. For instance, how can the precise timing of statoliths sedimentation and the cell-specific auxin distribution be reconciled with the reorientation of the root growth?
Several governments, through their space agencies, have unveiled ambitious programs to establish humans on the Moon, with plans for future establishments on Mars. The limited spacecraft transport capabilities make space farming an excellent way to provide astronauts with a varied and healthy diet. To reach this goal, it is fundamental to understand in detail whether distinct molecular signatures are triggered by space flight or extraterrestrial environments and whether they regulate specific plant adaptive mechanisms.
This Special Issue will summarize the progress in the field, focusing on the molecular mechanisms through which plants and plant cells perceive and respond to gravity and microgravity. The objective is to gather papers (original papers, opinions, reviews, and modeling approaches and methods) that focus on the analysis of root gravi-response to gravity and altered gravity conditions such as microgravity and hypergravity.
PD Dr. Franck Ditengou
Prof. Dr. Christoph Forreiter
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- root gravitropism
- microgravity environment
- hypergravity environment
- amyloplasts sedimentation
- statoliths sedimentation
- asymmetric auxin distribution
- space colonization
- space farming
- International Space Station
