Working with Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism, researchers at Michigan State University revealed the biomolecular controls of one of the systems that reglates cell death and plant health. Credit: Kara Headley/MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory
"The ER produces essential biomolecules, including lipids and a third of the proteins used by cells. It also facilitates cells' communication with the external environment," Brandizzi said."Certain physiological and stress situations can lead to a failure of the biosynthetic ability of this organelle, a situation known as ER stress, which can be lethal."
Unfortunately, these mechanisms are largely mysterious and highly complicated. Fortunately, Ko and his co-authors—also members of Brandizzi's lab—are skilled at simplifying. Joining Ko and Brandizzi on the project were Joo Yong Kim, a postdoctoral research associate, and Ethan Thibault, a doctoral student.
But when cells grow or undergo certain stresses, including attack by pathogens, the demand for protein folding outpaces capacity. This leads to a traffic jam of unfolded proteins. That's ER stress and, when it gets too severe, it can be fatal. The researchers then watched how the plants matured after being exposed to a compound that inhibits protein folding. That is, the researchers essentially kickstarted the traffic jam on the ER highway.