Strategies for optimizing plant mechanics deciphered from cell wall specialization

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Elucidation of the strategies of mechanical optimization in plants toward the establishment of the bases for sustainable structure system
• Project/Area Number: 18H05489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Demura Taku 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, デジタルグリーンイノベーションセンター, 教授 (40272009)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西谷 和彦 神奈川大学, 理学部, 教授 (60164555) ; 大谷 美沙都 東京大学, 大学院新領域創成科学研究科, 准教授 (60435633)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 植物細胞壁 / マイクロドメイン / 重力屈性 / あて材形成 / 植物器官新生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to understand the regulation of cell wall plasticity through a structural mechanics approach. First, we found that the secondary cell wall actually has stronger structural properties than the primary cell wall, and that mechanical stimuli to the cells significantly affect secondary cell wall deposition. We also identified sulfamethizole as a novel compound involved in cell wall microdomain formation. In addition, we found that secondary cell wall modification significantly changes the pattern of gravitropism. Moreover, we developed a method to examine the tree shape from a mechanical point of view using FEM and other techniques. Furthermore, we found that the characteristic cell wall structure “pulvinar slit” of a legume motor cells is involved in repetitive and reversible mechanical movements.

Free Research Field

植物分子および生理科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、植物が進化の過程で独自に発達させてきた力学装置の代表例である細胞壁を対象とした構造力学的アプローチによる解析を行い、植物の最適化戦略としての細胞壁マイクロドメイン化や、重力屈性、あて材形成、細胞壁の可塑性制御について新たな知見を得ることができた。これらは、これまでの分子生物学的な解析のみでは得られることがなかったことから、学術的価値が高い。