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A unified hypothesis of mechanoperception in plants
Author(s) -
Telewski Frank W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.93.10.1466
Subject(s) - turgor pressure , plasmodesma , biology , xylem , mechanoreceptor , cytoskeleton , sensory system , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , neuroscience , cell wall , cell , biochemistry
The perception of mechanical stimuli in the environment is crucial to the survival of all living organisms. Recent advances have led to the proposal of a plant‐specific mechanosensory network within plant cells that is similar to the previously described network in animal systems. This sensory network is the basis for a unifying hypothesis, which may account for the perception of numerous mechanical signals including gravitropic, thigmomorphic, thigmotropic, self‐loading, growth strains, turgor pressure, xylem pressure potential, and sound. The current state of our knowledge of a mechanosensory network in plants is reviewed, and two mechanoreceptor models are considered: a plasmodesmata‐based cytoskeleton–plasma membrane–cell wall (CPMCW) network vs. stretch‐activated ion channels. Post‐mechanosensory physiological responses to mechanical stresses are also reviewed, and future research directions in the area of mechanoperception and response are recommended.