A team of researchers led by Prof. Yasuomi Tada and Associate Professor Miki Nomoto from Nagoya
Plants, like animals, have their ownthe immune system. When plants detect pathogens, they activate immune genes to prevent infection. Raindrops contain pathogens, including bacteria, molds and viruses. Scientists have studied how the immune system defends itself against these threats.
Biologists studied the seedlings of Tal's flower(Arabidopsis thaliana). The researchers sequenced the plant's RNA to understand which genes are expressed when exposed to rain. They found that several key immunity-related genes are upregulated in response to drops and that these genes are regulated by CAMTA immunosuppressors (when CAMTA genes are active, expression of immune genes is blocked).
Researchers note that CAMTA is controlledcalcium ions. To test the activity of Ca 2+, biologists introduced the GCaMP3 gene into the leaves of the plant, which causes fluorescence when interacting with calcium. The results of the experiment showed that when the leaves were exposed to water, around the trichomes, tiny hairs on the surface of the leaf, the level of Ca 2+ increased.
Source: Yasuomi Tada, Nagoya University
According to the researchers, their resultsExperiments have shown that the mechanical impact of water droplets on trichomes causes an increase in calcium ions in leaf cells and, as a result, activates the immune system to fight potential pathogens.
“Our results show that we canartificially improve the defenses of plants against diseases at any time and for any period of time. Using this technology, we could activate the immune responses of crops grown in difficult conditions,” says Prof. Tada.
Cover photo: Mari-Lan Nguyen, Wikimedia Commons
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