Stress Knocking on the Wall
Cell wall integrity (CWI) is essential for plants to withstand environmental challenges. Our research focuses on a subset of C2H2 zinc finger (ZF) transcription factors, particularly ZAT11 and ZAT18, which are strongly linked to stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. These factors play key roles in the plant’s ability to sense, adapt to, and survive environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, oxidative stress, and pathogen attacks.
Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and other techniques, we have observed changes in the composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in ZAT mutant lines. This highlights how ZFs regulate the mechanical and structural properties of the cell wall, connecting transcriptional regulation to CWI and environmental adaptation. Now, we want to connect all the dots:
Understand how ZAT11 and ZAT18 regulate CWI responses during environmental stress.
Explore how cell walls act as sensors to perceive changes in the environment and trigger appropriate adaptive responses.
Investigate the role of ZFs in modulating cell wall composition and mechanics to balance growth and stress tolerance.
By studying these transcription factors, we aim to reveal how plants use their cell walls as a mechanochemical interfaceto sense and respond to their environment. This research advances our understanding of plant adaptability and resilience, showing how cell wall integrity is central to environmental perception and survival.
