1
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Guo K, Liu M, Vella D, Suresh S, Hsia KJ. Dehydration-induced corrugated folding in Rhapis excelsa plant leaves. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320259121. [PMID: 38588439 PMCID: PMC11047117 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320259121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant leaves, whose remarkable ability for morphogenesis results in a wide range of petal and leaf shapes in response to environmental cues, have inspired scientific studies as well as the development of engineering structures and devices. Although some typical shape changes in plants and the driving force for such shape evolution have been extensively studied, there remain many poorly understood mechanisms, characteristics, and principles associated with the vast array of shape formation of plant leaves in nature. Here, we present a comprehensive study that combines experiment, theory, and numerical simulations of one such topic-the mechanics and mechanisms of corrugated leaf folding induced by differential shrinking in Rhapis excelsa. Through systematic measurements of the dehydration process in sectioned leaves, we identify a linear correlation between change in the leaf-folding angle and water loss. Building on experimental findings, we develop a generalized model that provides a scaling relationship for water loss in sectioned leaves. Furthermore, our study reveals that corrugated folding induced by dehydration in R. excelsa leaves is achieved by the deformation of a structural architecture-the "hinge" cells. Utilizing such connections among structure, morphology, environmental stimuli, and mechanics, we fabricate several biomimetic machines, including a humidity sensor and morphing devices capable of folding in response to dehydration. The mechanisms of corrugated folding in R. excelsa identified in this work provide a general understanding of the interactions between plant leaves and water. The actuation mechanisms identified in this study also provide insights into the rational design of soft machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Guo
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
| | - Mingchao Liu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, BirminghamB15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Vella
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, OxfordOX2 6GG, United Kingdom
| | - Subra Suresh
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
- Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI02912
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - K. Jimmy Hsia
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
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2
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Zeng F, Ma Z, Feng Y, Shao M, Li Y, Wang H, Yang S, Mao J, Chen B. Mechanism of the Pulvinus-Driven Leaf Movement: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4582. [PMID: 38731801 PMCID: PMC11083266 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Leaf movement is a manifestation of plant response to the changing internal and external environment, aiming to optimize plant growth and development. Leaf movement is usually driven by a specialized motor organ, the pulvinus, and this movement is associated with different changes in volume and expansion on the two sides of the pulvinus. Blue light, auxin, GA, H+-ATPase, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, actin, and aquaporin collectively influence the changes in water flux in the tissue of the extensor and flexor of the pulvinus to establish a turgor pressure difference, thereby controlling leaf movement. However, how these factors regulate the multicellular motility of the pulvinus tissues in a species remains obscure. In addition, model plants such as Medicago truncatula, Mimosa pudica, and Samanea saman have been used to study pulvinus-driven leaf movement, showing a similarity in their pulvinus movement mechanisms. In this review, we summarize past research findings from the three model plants, and using Medicago truncatula as an example, suggest that genes regulating pulvinus movement are also involved in regulating plant growth and development. We also propose a model in which the variation of ion flux and water flux are critical steps to pulvinus movement and highlight questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Baihong Chen
- College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (F.Z.); (Z.M.); (Y.F.); (M.S.); (Y.L.); (H.W.); (S.Y.); (J.M.)
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3
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Sleboda DA. Exploring the Dual Functionality of Plant Pulvini Using a Physical Modeling Approach. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1331-1339. [PMID: 37127409 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulvini are plant motor organs that fulfill two conflicting mechanical roles. At rest, pulvini function as rigid beams that support the cantilevered weight of leafy appendages. During thigmonastic (touch-induced) or nyctinastic ("sleep"-induced) plant movements, however, pulvini function as flexible joints capable of active bending. I hypothesized that the ability to alternate between these roles emerges from the interaction of two structural features of pulvini: anisotropically reinforced parenchyma cells comprising the body of the pulvinus and a longitudinally stiff but flexurally pliant vascular bundle running through the pulvinus core. To investigate how these two components might interact within biological pulvini, I built a set of pulvinus-inspired physical models with varying combinations of these elements present. I compared the abilities of the models to (1) resist imposed bending deformation (i.e., act as rigid beams) and (2) exhibit bending deformation when asymmetrically pressurized (i.e., act as actively deformable joints). Pulvinus models displayed the greatest ability to resist bending deformation when both an anisotropically reinforced parenchyma and a vasculature-like core were present. Disruption of either element reduced hydrostatic fluid pressures developed within the models, resulting in a decreased ability to resist externally applied forces. When differentially pressurized to induce active bending, the degree of bending achieved varied widely between models with and without adequately reinforced parenchyma elements. Bending, however, was not influenced by the presence of a vasculature-like core. These findings suggest that biological pulvini achieve their dual functionality by pairing anisotropically reinforced parenchyma tissues with a longitudinally stiff but flexurally pliant vascular core. Together, these elements compose a hydrostatic skeleton within the pulvinus that strongly resists external deformation when pressurized, but that bends easily when the balance of fluid pressures within it is altered. These results illustrate the emergent nature of pulvinus motor abilities and highlight structural specialization as an important aspect of pulvinus physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Sleboda
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine, 321 Steinhaus Hall, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
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4
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Wang M, Zheng S, Han J, Liu Y, Wang Y, Wang W, Tang X, Zhou C. Nyctinastic movement in legumes: Developmental mechanisms, factors and biological significance. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:3206-3217. [PMID: 37614098 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
In legumes, a common phenomenon known as nyctinastic movement is observed. This movement involves the horizontal expansion of leaves during the day and relative vertical closure at night. Nyctinastic movement is driven by the pulvinus, which consists of flexor and extensor motor cells. The turgor pressure difference between these two cell types generates a driving force for the bending and deformation of the pulvinus. This review focuses on the developmental mechanisms of the pulvinus, the factors affecting nyctinastic movement, and the biological significance of this phenomenon in legumes, thus providing a reference for further research on nyctinastic movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuze Zheng
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingyi Han
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuqi Liu
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yun Wang
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ximi Tang
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chuanen Zhou
- School of Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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5
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Sleboda DA, Geitmann A, Sharif-Naeini R. Multiscale structural anisotropy steers plant organ actuation. Curr Biol 2023; 33:639-646.e3. [PMID: 36608688 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Leaf movement in vascular plants is executed by joint-like structures called pulvini. Many structural features of pulvini have been described at subcellular, cellular, and tissue scales of organization; however, how the characteristic hierarchical architecture of plant tissue influences pulvinus-mediated actuation remains poorly understood. To investigate the influence of multiscale structure on turgor-driven pulvinus movements, we visualized Mimosa pudica pulvinus morphology and anatomy at multiple hierarchical scales of organization and used osmotic perturbations to experimentally swell pulvini in incremental states of dissection. We observed directional cellulose microfibril reinforcement, oblong, spindle-shaped primary pit fields, and longitudinally slightly compressed cell geometries in the parenchyma of M. pudica. Consistent with these observations, isolated parenchyma tissues displayed highly anisotropic swelling behaviors indicating a high degree of mechanical anisotropy. Swelling behaviors at higher scales of pulvinus organization were also influenced by the presence of the pulvinus epidermis, which displayed oblong epidermal cells oriented transverse to the pulvinus long axis. Our findings indicate that structural specializations spanning multiple hierarchical scales of organization guide hydraulic deformation of pulvini, suggesting that multiscale mechanics are crucial to the translation of cell-level turgor variations into organ-scale pulvinus motion in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Sleboda
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada; Department of Plant Science, McGill University, 21111 Rue Lakeshore, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Anja Geitmann
- Department of Plant Science, McGill University, 21111 Rue Lakeshore, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
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6
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Kwiatkowska D. Plant biology: How the humble plant droops its leaves. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R156-R158. [PMID: 36854276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The humble plant (Mimosa pudica) droops its leaves in response to touch. A new study explains how changes of turgor pressure exerted by protoplasts on surrounding cell walls translate into directional cell deformation that drives leaf movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Kwiatkowska
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
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7
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Sekar MP, Budharaju H, Zennifer A, Sethuraman S, Sundaramurthi D. Four-dimension printing in healthcare. 3D Print Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-89831-7.00010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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8
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Mechanics of Reversible Deformation during Leaf Movement and Regulation of Pulvinus Development in Legumes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810240. [PMID: 36142170 PMCID: PMC9499166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant cell deformation is a mechanical process that is driven by differences in the osmotic pressure inside and outside of the cell and is influenced by cell wall properties. Legume leaf movements result from reversible deformation of pulvinar motor cells. Reversible cell deformation is an elastic process distinct from the irreversible cell growth of developing organs. Here, we begin with a review of the basic mathematics of cell volume changes, cell wall function, and the mechanics of bending deformation at a macro scale. Next, we summarize the findings of recent molecular genetic studies of pulvinar development. We then review the mechanisms of the adaxial/abaxial patterning because pulvinar bending deformation depends on the differences in mechanical properties and physiological responses of motor cells on the adaxial versus abaxial sides of the pulvinus. Intriguingly, pulvini simultaneously encompass morphological symmetry and functional asymmetry along the adaxial/abaxial axis. This review provides an introduction to leaf movement and reversible deformation from the perspective of mechanics and molecular genetics.
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9
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Bio-actuated microvalve in microfluidics using sensing and actuating function of Mimosa pudica. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7653. [PMID: 35606389 PMCID: PMC9126872 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11637-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-actuators and sensors are increasingly employed in microscale devices for numerous applications. Unlike other artificial devices actuated by living cells or tissues, here we introduce a microvalve system actuated by the stimuli-responsive action plant, Mimosa pudica (sleepy plant). This system realizes the control of the valve to open and close by dropping and recovering responses of Mimosa pudica branch upon external physical stimulations. The results showed that one matured single uncut Mimosa pudica branch produced average force of 15.82 ± 0.7 mN. This force was sufficient for actuating and keeping the valve open for 8.46 ± 1.33 min in a stimulation-recovering cycle of 30 min. Additionally, two separately cut Mimosa pudica branches were able to keep the valve open for 2.28 ± 0.63 min in a stimulating-recovering cycle of 20min. The pressure resistance and the response time of the valve were 4.2 kPa and 1.4 s, respectively. This demonstration of plant-microfluidics integration encourages exploiting more applications of microfluidic platforms that involve plant science and plant energy harvesting.
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10
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Kong K, Xu M, Xu Z, Sharmin RA, Zhang M, Zhao T. Combining Fine Mapping, Whole-Genome Re-Sequencing, and RNA-Seq Unravels Candidate Genes for a Soybean Mutant with Short Petioles and Weakened Pulvini. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:185. [PMID: 35205230 PMCID: PMC8872139 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A short petiole is an important agronomic trait for the development of plant ideotypes with high yields. However, the genetic basis underlying this trait remains unclear. Here, we identified and characterized a novel soybean mutant with short petioles and weakened pulvini, designated as short petioles and weakened pulvini (spwp). Compared with the wild type (WT), the spwp mutant displayed shortened petioles, owing to the longitudinally decreased cell length, and exhibited a smaller pulvinus structure due to a reduction in motor cell proliferation and expansion. Genetic analysis showed that the phenotype of the spwp mutant was controlled by two recessive nuclear genes, named as spwp1 and spwp2. Using a map-based cloning strategy, the spwp1 locus was mapped in a 183 kb genomic region on chromosome 14 between markers S1413 and S1418, containing 15 annotated genes, whereas the spwp2 locus was mapped in a 195 kb genomic region on chromosome 11 between markers S1373 and S1385, containing 18 annotated genes. Based on the whole-genome re-sequencing and RNA-seq data, we identified two homologous genes, Glyma.11g230300 and Glyma.11g230600, as the most promising candidate genes for the spwp2 locus. In addition, the RNA-seq analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes involved in the cytokinin and auxin signaling transduction networks were altered in the spwp mutant compared with the WT. Our findings provide new gene resources for insights into the genetic mechanisms of petiole development and pulvinus establishment, as well as soybean ideotype breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Kong
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (K.K.); (M.X.); (Z.X.); (R.A.S.)
| | - Mengge Xu
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (K.K.); (M.X.); (Z.X.); (R.A.S.)
| | - Zhiyong Xu
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (K.K.); (M.X.); (Z.X.); (R.A.S.)
| | - Ripa Akter Sharmin
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (K.K.); (M.X.); (Z.X.); (R.A.S.)
- Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Mengchen Zhang
- North China Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding of Hebei, Cereal & Oil Crop Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Tuanjie Zhao
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (K.K.); (M.X.); (Z.X.); (R.A.S.)
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11
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Tran D, Petitjean H, Chebli Y, Geitmann A, Sharif-Naeini R. Mechanosensitive ion channels contribute to mechanically evoked rapid leaflet movement in Mimosa pudica. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:1704-1712. [PMID: 34734277 PMCID: PMC8566232 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Mechanoperception, the ability to perceive and respond to mechanical stimuli, is a common and fundamental property of all forms of life. Vascular plants such as Mimosa pudica use this function to protect themselves against herbivory. The mechanical stimulus caused by a landing insect triggers a rapid closing of the leaflets that drives the potential pest away. While this thigmonastic movement is caused by ion fluxes accompanied by a rapid change of volume in the pulvini, the mechanism responsible for the detection of the mechanical stimulus remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the role of mechanosensitive ion channels in the first step of this evolutionarily conserved defense mechanism: the mechanically evoked closing of the leaflet. Our results demonstrate that the key site of mechanosensation in the Mimosa leaflets is the pulvinule, which expresses a stretch-activated chloride-permeable mechanosensitive ion channel. Blocking these channels partially prevents the closure of the leaflets following mechanical stimulation. These results demonstrate a direct relation between the activity of mechanosensitive ion channels and a central defense mechanism of M. pudica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Tran
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems, McGill University, Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3G0B1
| | - Hugues Petitjean
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems, McGill University, Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3G0B1
| | - Youssef Chebli
- Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9
| | - Anja Geitmann
- Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X3V9
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems, McGill University, Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3G0B1
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12
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Segundo-Ortin M, Calvo P. Consciousness and cognition in plants. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2021; 13:e1578. [PMID: 34558231 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Unlike animal behavior, behavior in plants is traditionally assumed to be completely determined either genetically or environmentally. Under this assumption, plants are usually considered to be noncognitive organisms. This view nonetheless clashes with a growing body of empirical research that shows that many sophisticated cognitive capabilities traditionally assumed to be exclusive to animals are exhibited by plants too. Yet, if plants can be considered cognitive, even in a minimal sense, can they also be considered conscious? Some authors defend that the quest for plant consciousness is worth pursuing, under the premise that sentience can play a role in facilitating plant's sophisticated behavior. The goal of this article is not to provide a positive argument for plant cognition and consciousness, but to invite a constructive, empirically informed debate about it. After reviewing the empirical literature concerning plant cognition, we introduce the reader to the emerging field of plant neurobiology. Research on plant electrical and chemical signaling can help shed light into the biological bases for plant sentience. To conclude, we shall present a series of approaches to scientifically investigate plant consciousness. In sum, we invite the reader to consider the idea that if consciousness boils down to some form of biological adaptation, we should not exclude a priori the possibility that plants have evolved their own phenomenal experience of the world. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Evolutionary Roots of Cognition Philosophy > Consciousness Neuroscience > Cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Segundo-Ortin
- Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paco Calvo
- Minimal Intelligence Laboratory, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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13
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Cheng C, Yu Q, Wang Y, Wang H, Dong Y, Ji Y, Zhou X, Li Y, Jiang CZ, Gan SS, Zhao L, Fei Z, Gao J, Ma N. Ethylene-regulated asymmetric growth of the petal base promotes flower opening in rose (Rosa hybrida). THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1229-1251. [PMID: 33693903 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Flowers are the core reproductive structures and key distinguishing features of angiosperms. Flower opening to expose stamens and gynoecia is important in cases where pollinators much be attracted to promote cross-pollination, which can enhance reproductive success and species preservation. The floral opening process is accompanied by the coordinated movement of various floral organs, particularly petals. However, the mechanisms underlying petal movement and flower opening are not well understood. Here, we integrated anatomical, physiological, and molecular approaches to determine the petal movement regulatory network using rose (Rosa hybrida) as a model. We found that PETAL MOVEMENT-RELATED PROTEIN1 (RhPMP1), a homeodomain transcription factor (TF) gene, is a direct target of ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3, a TF that functions downstream of ethylene signaling. RhPMP1 expression was upregulated by ethylene and specifically activated endoreduplication of parenchyma cells on the adaxial side of the petal (ADSP) base by inducing the expression of RhAPC3b, a gene encoding the core subunit of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex. Cell expansion of the parenchyma on the ADSP base was subsequently enhanced, thus resulting in asymmetric growth of the petal base, leading to the typical epinastic movement of petals and flower opening. These findings provide insights into the pathway regulating petal movement and associated flower-opening mechanisms.�.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxia Cheng
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yaru Wang
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuhan Dong
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuqi Ji
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- School of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cai-Zhong Jiang
- United States Department of Agriculture, Crop Pathology and Genetic Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Davis, California 95616
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616
| | - Su-Sheng Gan
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - Liangjun Zhao
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhangjun Fei
- Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
- USDA Robert W Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - Junping Gao
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Nan Ma
- Department of Ornamental Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Development and Quality Control of Ornamental Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Mano H, Hasebe M. Rapid movements in plants. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2021; 134:3-17. [PMID: 33415544 PMCID: PMC7817606 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-020-01243-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plant movements are generally slow, but some plant species have evolved the ability to move very rapidly at speeds comparable to those of animals. Whereas movement in animals relies on the contraction machinery of muscles, many plant movements use turgor pressure as the primary driving force together with secondarily generated elastic forces. The movement of stomata is the best-characterized model system for studying turgor-driven movement, and many gene products responsible for this movement, especially those related to ion transport, have been identified. Similar gene products were recently shown to function in the daily sleep movements of pulvini, the motor organs for macroscopic leaf movements. However, it is difficult to explain the mechanisms behind rapid multicellular movements as a simple extension of the mechanisms used for unicellular or slow movements. For example, water transport through plant tissues imposes a limit on the speed of plant movements, which becomes more severe as the size of the moving part increases. Rapidly moving traps in carnivorous plants overcome this limitation with the aid of the mechanical behaviors of their three-dimensional structures. In addition to a mechanism for rapid deformation, rapid multicellular movements also require a molecular system for rapid cell-cell communication, along with a mechanosensing system that initiates the response. Electrical activities similar to animal action potentials are found in many plant species, representing promising candidates for the rapid cell-cell signaling behind rapid movements, but the molecular entities of these electrical signals remain obscure. Here we review the current understanding of rapid plant movements with the aim of encouraging further biological studies into this fascinating, challenging topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Mano
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
- School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
- JST, PRESTO, Honcho 4-1-8, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Mitsuyasu Hasebe
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
- School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
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15
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Wang H, Nilsen ET, Upmanyu M. Mechanical basis for thermonastic movements of cold-hardy Rhododendron leaves. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20190751. [PMID: 32156184 PMCID: PMC7115238 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The profusion of rhododendrons in cold climates is as remarkable as the beauty of their blooms. The cold-hardiness of some of the montane species is in part due to reversible leaf movements triggered under frigid conditions wherein the leaves droop at the leaf stalks (petioles) and their margins roll up around the midrib. We probe the mechanics of these movements using leaf dissection studies that reveal that the through-thickness differential expansion necessary for leaf rolling is anisotropically distributed transverse to and along the midrib. Numerical simulations and theoretical analyses of bilayer laminae show that the longitudinal expansion amplifies the transverse rolling extent. The curvature diversion scales with the in-plane Poisson's ratio, suitably aided by the stiff midrib that serves as a symmetry breaking constraint that controls the competition between the longitudinal and transverse rolling. Comparison of leaf rolling with and without the petiole indicates that the petiole flexibility and leaf rolling are in part mechanically coupled responses, implicating the hydraulic pathways that maintain the critical level of midrib stiffness necessary to support the longitudinal expansion. The study highlights the importance of curvature diversion for efficient nastic and tropic leaf movements that enhance cold-hardiness and drought resistance, and for morphing more general hinged laminae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, People’s Republic of China
| | - Erik T. Nilsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Moneesh Upmanyu
- Group for Simulation and Theory of Atomic-Scale Material Phenomena (stAMP), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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16
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Song K, Cha Y. Hemispherical Cell-Inspired Soft Actuator. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:20. [PMID: 32140460 PMCID: PMC7042176 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As soft robots have been popular, interest in soft actuators is also increasing. In particular, new types of actuators have been proposed through biomimetics. An actuator that we proposed in this study was inspired by a motor cell that enables plants to move. This actuator is an electrostatic actuator utilizing electrostatic attraction and elastic force, and can be used repeatedly. In addition, this actuator, which can produce large and diverse movements by collecting individual movements like a cell, has a wide application field. As one of them, this actuator is stacked to construct a layer structure and propose an application example. In addition, a piezo sensor was built inside the actuator and real-time motion monitoring was attempted. As a result, the point laser sensor value and the piezo sensor value coincided with each other, which means that it is possible to detect motion in real-time with the built-in sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahye Song
- Center for Intelligent & Interactive Robotics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Youngsu Cha
- Center for Intelligent & Interactive Robotics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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17
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Kurenda A, Nguyen CT, Chételat A, Stolz S, Farmer EE. Insect-damaged Arabidopsis moves like wounded Mimosa pudica. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:26066-26071. [PMID: 31792188 PMCID: PMC6926025 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1912386116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow wave potentials (SWPs) are damage-induced electrical signals which, based on experiments in which organs are burned, have been linked to rapid increases in leaf or stem thickness. The possibility that pressure surges in injured xylem underlie these events has been evoked frequently. We sought evidence for insect feeding-induced positive pressure changes in the petioles of Arabidopsis thaliana Instead, we found that petiole surfaces of leaves distal to insect-feeding sites subsided. We also found that insect damage induced longer-duration downward leaf movements in undamaged leaves. The transient petiole deformations were contemporary with and dependent on the SWP. We then investigated if mutants that affect the xylem, which has been implicated in SWP transmission, might modify SWP architecture. irregular xylem mutants strongly affected SWP velocity and kinetics and, in parallel, restructured insect damage-induced petiole deformations. Together, with force change measurements on the primary vein, the results suggest that extravascular water fluxes accompany the SWP. Moreover, petiole deformations in Arabidopsis mimic parts of the spectacular distal leaf collapse phase seen in wounded Mimosa pudica We genetically link electrical signals to organ movement and deformation and suggest an evolutionary origin of the large leaf movements seen in wounded Mimosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Kurenda
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chi Tam Nguyen
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurore Chételat
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Stolz
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Edward E Farmer
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Bessho-Uehara K, Nugroho JE, Kondo H, Angeles-Shim RB, Ashikari M. Sucrose affects the developmental transition of rhizomes in Oryza longistaminata. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2018; 131:693-707. [PMID: 29740707 PMCID: PMC6488557 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-018-1033-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Oryza longistaminata, the African wild rice, can propagate vegetatively through rhizomes. Rhizomes elongate horizontally underground as sink organs, however, they undergo a developmental transition that shifts their growth to the surface of the ground to become aerial stems. This particular stage is essential for the establishment of new ramets. While several determinants such as abiotic stimuli and plant hormones have been reported as key factors effecting developmental transition in aerial stem, the cause of this phenomenon in rhizome remains elusive. This study shows that depletion of nutrients, particularly sucrose, is the key stimulus that induces the developmental transition in rhizomes, as indicated by the gradient of sugars from the base to the tip of the rhizome. Sugar treatments revealed that sucrose specifically represses the developmental transition from rhizome to aerial stem by inhibiting the expression of sugar metabolism and hormone synthesis genes at the bending point. Sucrose depletion affected several factors contributing to the developmental transition of rhizome including signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and plant hormone balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Bessho-Uehara
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Jovano Erris Nugroho
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Hirono Kondo
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Rosalyn B Angeles-Shim
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Motoyuki Ashikari
- Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan.
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19
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Veenstra F, Metayer C, Risi S, Stoy K. Toward Energy Autonomy in Heterogeneous Modular Plant-Inspired Robots through Artificial Evolution. Front Robot AI 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2017.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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20
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Gao J, Yang S, Cheng W, Fu Y, Leng J, Yuan X, Jiang N, Ma J, Feng X. GmILPA1, Encoding an APC8-like Protein, Controls Leaf Petiole Angle in Soybean. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 174:1167-1176. [PMID: 28336772 PMCID: PMC5462013 DOI: 10.1104/pp.16.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Leaf petiole angle (LPA) is an important plant architectural trait that affects canopy coverage, photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately productivity in many legume crops. However, the genetic basis underlying this trait remains unclear. Here, we report the identification, isolation, and functional characterization of Glycine max Increased Leaf Petiole Angle1 (GmILPA1), a gene encoding an APC8-like protein, which is a subunit of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome in soybean (Glycine max). A gamma ray-induced deletion of a fragment involving the fourth exon of GmILPA1 and its flanking sequences led to extension of the third exon and formation of, to our knowledge, a novel 3'UTR from intronic and intergenic sequences. Such changes are responsible for enlarged LPAs that are associated with reduced motor cell proliferation in the Gmilpa1 mutant. GmILPA1 is mainly expressed in the basal cells of leaf primordia and appears to function by promoting cell growth and division of the pulvinus that is critical for its establishment. GmILPA1 directly interacts with GmAPC13a as part of the putative anaphase-promoting complex. GmILPA1 exhibits variable expression levels among varieties with different degrees of LPAs, and expression levels are correlated with the degrees of the LPAs. Together, these observations revealed a genetic mechanism modulating the plant petiole angle that could pave the way for modifying soybean plant architecture with optimized petiole angles for enhanced yield potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Suxin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Wen Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Yongfu Fu
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Jiantian Leng
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Xiaohui Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Jianxin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
| | - Xianzhong Feng
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China (J.G., S.Y., J.L., X.Y., X.F.); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China (J.G.); Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China (W.C.); Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China (Y.F.); Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (N.J.); and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (J.M.)
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21
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Chen XC, Ren KF, Wang J, Lei WX, Ji J. Infusing Lubricant onto Erasable Microstructured Surfaces toward Guided Sliding of Liquid Droplets. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:1959-1967. [PMID: 28004572 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b14081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Introducing a lubricant layer onto surfaces has emerged as a novel strategy to address a wide range of interface-related challenges. Recent studies of lubricant-infused surfaces have extended beyond repelling liquids to manipulating the mobility of fluids. In this study, we report a design of slippery surfaces based on infusing lubricant onto a polyelectrolyte multilayer film whose surface microstructures can be erased rapidly under mild condition. Unlike other lubricant-infused surfaces, the liquid movements (e.g., moving resistance and direction) on such surfaces can be manipulated via programming the surface microstructures beforehand. The work reported here offers a versatile design concept of lubricant-infused surfaces and may turn on new applications of this emerging class of bioinspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Chao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ke-Feng Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jing Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Wen-Xi Lei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
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22
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23
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Musah RA, Lesiak AD, Maron MJ, Cody RB, Edwards D, Fowble KL, Dane AJ, Long MC. Mechanosensitivity below Ground: Touch-Sensitive Smell-Producing Roots in the Shy Plant Mimosa pudica. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 170:1075-89. [PMID: 26661932 PMCID: PMC4734582 DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.01705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The roots of the shy plant Mimosa pudica emit a cocktail of small organic and inorganic sulfur compounds and reactive intermediates into the environment, including SO2, methanesulfinic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, ethanesulfinic acid, propanesulfenic acid, 2-aminothiophenol, S-propyl propane 1-thiosulfinate, phenothiazine, and thioformaldehyde, an elusive and highly unstable compound that, to our knowledge, has never before been reported to be emitted by a plant. When soil around the roots is dislodged or when seedling roots are touched, an odor is detected. The perceived odor corresponds to the emission of higher amounts of propanesulfenic acid, 2-aminothiophenol, S-propyl propane 1-thiosulfinate, and phenothiazine. The mechanosensitivity response is selective. Whereas touching the roots with soil or human skin resulted in odor detection, agitating the roots with other materials such as glass did not induce a similar response. Light and electron microscopy studies of the roots revealed the presence of microscopic sac-like root protuberances. Elemental analysis of these projections by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy revealed them to contain higher levels of K(+) and Cl(-) compared with the surrounding tissue. Exposing the protuberances to stimuli that caused odor emission resulted in reductions in the levels of K(+) and Cl(-) in the touched area. The mechanistic implications of the variety of sulfur compounds observed vis-à-vis the pathways for their formation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabi A Musah
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - Ashton D Lesiak
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - Max J Maron
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - Robert B Cody
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - David Edwards
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - Kristen L Fowble
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - A John Dane
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
| | - Michael C Long
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (R.A.M., A.D.L., M.J.M., K.L.F., M.C.L.); andJEOL USA, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts 01960 (R.B.C., D.E., A.J.D.)
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Guo Q, Dai E, Han X, Xie S, Chao E, Chen Z. Fast nastic motion of plants and bioinspired structures. J R Soc Interface 2015; 12:0598. [PMID: 26354828 PMCID: PMC4614472 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2015.0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The capability to sense and respond to external mechanical stimuli at various timescales is essential to many physiological aspects in plants, including self-protection, intake of nutrients and reproduction. Remarkably, some plants have evolved the ability to react to mechanical stimuli within a few seconds despite a lack of muscles and nerves. The fast movements of plants in response to mechanical stimuli have long captured the curiosity of scientists and engineers, but the mechanisms behind these rapid thigmonastic movements are still not understood completely. In this article, we provide an overview of such thigmonastic movements in several representative plants, including Dionaea, Utricularia, Aldrovanda, Drosera and Mimosa. In addition, we review a series of studies that present biomimetic structures inspired by fast-moving plants. We hope that this article will shed light on the current status of research on the fast movements of plants and bioinspired structures and also promote interdisciplinary studies on both the fundamental mechanisms of plants' fast movements and biomimetic structures for engineering applications, such as artificial muscles, multi-stable structures and bioinspired robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Guo
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou 350108, China Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing and Application, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - E Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - X Han
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - S Xie
- Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - E Chao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Z Chen
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Abstract
Pine cones fold their scales when it rains to prevent seeds from short-distance dispersal. Given that the scales of pine cones consist of nothing but dead cells, this folding motion is evidently related to structural changes. In this study, the structural characteristics of pine cones are studied on micro-/macro-scale using various imaging instruments. Raindrops fall along the outer scales to the three layers (bract scales, fibers and innermost lignified structure) of inner pine cones. However, not all the layers but only the bract scales get wet and then, most raindrops move to the inner scales. These systems reduce the amount of water used and minimize the time spent on structural changes. The result shows that the pine cones have structural advantages that could influence the efficient motion of pine cones. This study provides new insights to understand the motion of pine cones and would be used to design a novel water transport system.
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