Noll Gundula A, Furch Alexandra C U, Rose Judith, Visser Franziska, Prüfer Dirk
Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Muenster, Schlossplatz 8, 48143, Muenster, Germany.
Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schlossplatz 8, 48143, Muenster, Germany.
New Phytol. 2022 Nov;236(4):1245-1260. doi: 10.1111/nph.18476. Epub 2022 Sep 21.
The phloem is a highly specialized vascular tissue that forms a fundamentally important transport and signaling pathway in plants. It is therefore a system worth protecting. The main function of the phloem is to transport the products of photosynthesis throughout the whole plant, but it also transports soluble signaling molecules and propagates electrophysiological signals. The phloem is constantly threatened by mechanical injuries, phloem-sucking pests and parasites, and the spread of pathogens, which has led to the evolution of efficient defense mechanisms. One such mechanism involves structural phloem proteins, which are thought to facilitate sieve element occlusion following injury and to defend the plant against pathogens. In leguminous plants, specialized structural phloem proteins known as forisomes form unique mechanoproteins via sophisticated molecular interaction and assembly mechanisms, thus enabling reversible sieve element occlusion. By understanding the structure and function of forisomes and other structural phloem proteins, we can develop a toolbox for biotechnological applications in material science and medicine. Furthermore, understanding the involvement of structural phloem proteins in plant defense mechanisms will allow phloem engineering as a new strategy for the development of crop varieties that are resistant to pests, pathogens and parasites.
韧皮部是一种高度特化的维管组织，在植物中形成了一条至关重要的运输和信号传导途径。因此，它是一个值得保护的系统。韧皮部的主要功能是在整个植物体内运输光合作用的产物，但它也运输可溶性信号分子并传播电生理信号。韧皮部不断受到机械损伤、吸食韧皮部的害虫和寄生虫以及病原体传播的威胁，这导致了高效防御机制的进化。一种这样的机制涉及结构性韧皮部蛋白，人们认为这些蛋白有助于受伤后筛管分子的堵塞，并保护植物免受病原体侵害。在豆科植物中，一种被称为成束蛋白的特殊结构性韧皮部蛋白通过复杂的分子相互作用和组装机制形成独特的机械蛋白，从而实现筛管分子的可逆堵塞。通过了解成束蛋白和其他结构性韧皮部蛋白的结构和功能，我们可以开发一个用于材料科学和医学中生物技术应用的工具箱。此外，了解结构性韧皮部蛋白在植物防御机制中的作用将使韧皮部工程成为培育抗害虫、病原体和寄生虫作物品种的一种新策略。
