Phototropism In Plants Research Articles

Identification of a non-canonical planar cell polarity pathway triggered by light in the developing mouse retina.

The coordinated spatial arrangement of organelles within a tissue plane, known as planar cell polarity (PCP), is critical for organ development and function. Gradients of morphogens and their receptors typically set-up PCP, but whether non-molecular cues, akin to phototropism in plants, also play a part remains unknown. Here, we report that basal bodies of newborn photoreceptor cells in the mouse retina are positioned centrally on the apical surface but then move laterally during the first postnatal week, generating cell-intrinsic asymmetry in the retinal plane. After 1week, when the eyes open, basal bodies of cone cilia, but not rods, become coordinated across the plane to face the center of the retina. We further show that light is essential for cone PCP, triggering a cascade in which cone transducin interacts with the G-protein-signaling modulator protein 2 (GPSM2) to establish PCP. This work identifies a non-canonical PCP pathway initiated by light.

Trajectory Optimization to Enhance Observability for Bearing-Only Target Localization and Sensor Bias Calibration.

This study addresses the challenge of bearing-only target localization with sensor bias contamination. To enhance the system's observability, inspired by plant phototropism, we propose a control barrier function (CBF)-based method for UAV motion planning. The rank criterion provides only qualitative observability results. We employ the condition number for a quantitative analysis, identifying key influencing factors. After that, a multi-objective, nonlinear optimization problem for UAV trajectory planning is formulated and solved using the proposed Nonlinear Constrained Multi-Objective Gray Wolf Optimization Algorithm (NCMOGWOA). Simulations validate our approach, showing a threefold reduction in the condition number, significantly enhancing observability. The algorithm outperforms others in terms of localization accuracy and convergence, achieving the lowest Generational Distance (GD) (7.3442) and Inverted Generational Distance (IGD) (8.4577) metrics. Additionally, we explore the effects of the CBF attenuation rates and initial flight path angles.

Programming crack patterns with light in colloidal plasmonic films

Crack formation observed across diverse fields like geology, nanotechnology, arts, structural engineering or surface science, is a chaotic and undesirable phenomenon, resulting in random patterns of cracks generally leading to material failure. Limiting the formation of cracks or “programming” the path of cracks is a great technological challenge since it holds promise to enhance material durability or even to develop low cost patterning methods. Drawing inspiration from negative phototropism in plants, we demonstrate the capability to organize, guide, replicate, or arrest crack propagation in colloidal films through remote light manipulation. The key consists in using plasmonic photothermal absorbers to generate “virtual” defects enabling controlled deviation of cracks. We engineer a dip-coating process coupled with selective light irradiation enabling simultaneous deposition and light-directed crack patterning. This approach represents a rare example of a robust self-assembly process with long-range order that can be programmed in both space and time.

Biomimetic Photothermal Actuator Exhibits Robust Motion and Omnidirectional Phototropism

Organisms in the natural world receive signals from the external environment and exhibit continuous propulsion. However, creating artificial systems that can rapidly track energy sources in real-time without human intervention and electronic circuit programming poses a significant challenge. Here, we have developed a soft actuator that mimics the phototropism of plants and possesses autonomous sensing and driving capabilities. The soft actuator is based on a thermo responsive PNIPAAM hydrogel, and its uniform incorporation of light-absorbing agents imparts photothermal response characteristics. Our preparation method involves a combination of ice templating and UV cryo-polymerization techniques, utilizing water as the primary solvent. This process results in the formation of substantial microscopic pores within the PNIPAAM hydrogel, greatly enhancing the rate at which water enters and exits the polymer network. The rapid response and recovery properties of the hydrogel soft actuator allow it to quickly track and align with a stimulus light source. Moreover, it can bend to 90° and undergo continuous oscillations, representing a substantial enhancement in performance compared to conventional composite PNIPAAM hydrogels. Furthermore, the soft actuator exhibits a low dependence on the type of incident light, as it can respond not only to pinpoint laser beams but also to broad-spectrum white light. This intelligent soft actuator holds promising applications in non-contact soft robotics, underwater propulsion systems, and various other fields.

Robust actuator based on photothermally responsive hydrogel with fast recovery capability

Propulsion by deformation and oscillation is a familiar law of motion in nature. Often, these motions are signaled and driven by constant external conditions, such as the phototropism of plants. Here, we have prepared a soft photosensitive material utilizing ice templates and cryo-polymerization, which combines light absorbers and thermally responsive hydrogels and thus possesses superb photothermal conversion, mechanical deformation, and fast recovery capabilities. The soft actuator based on this material generates a dynamically balanced oscillation with intermittent shadows creating a continuous self-feedback loop, allowing the actuator to operate continuously and durably under constant illumination. Combining the modules of conjugate heat transfer, non-isothermal flow, and fluid-solid coupling, we have gained a deeper understanding of the interaction of the soft actuator with the temperature and flow fields. In the future, the soft actuator can be widely developed and combined with other conventional drive strategies in an attempt to apply in soft robotics, underwater operations, and other fields.

Modulation of Phototropin Signalosome with Artificial Illumination Holds Great Potential in the Development of Climate-Smart Crops.

Changes in environmental conditions like temperature and light critically influence crop production. To deal with these changes, plants possess various photoreceptors such as Phototropin (PHOT), Phytochrome (PHY), Cryptochrome (CRY), and UVR8 that work synergistically as sensor and stress sensing receptors to different external cues. PHOTs are capable of regulating several functions like growth and development, chloroplast relocation, thermomorphogenesis, metabolite accumulation, stomatal opening, and phototropism in plants. PHOT plays a pivotal role in overcoming the damage caused by excess light and other environmental stresses (heat, cold, and salinity) and biotic stress. The crosstalk between photoreceptors and phytohormones contributes to plant growth, seed germination, photo-protection, flowering, phototropism, and stomatal opening.Molecular genetic studies using gene targeting and synthetic biology approaches have revealed the potential role of different photoreceptor genes in the manipulation of various beneficial agronomic traits. Overexpression of PHOT2 in Fragaria ananassa leads to the increase in anthocyanin content in its leaves and fruits. Artificial illumination with blue light alone and in combination with red light influence the growth, yield, and secondary metabolite production in many plants, while in algal species, it affects growth, chlorophyll content, lipid production and also increases its bioremediation efficiency. Artificial illumination alters the morphological, developmental, and physiological characteristics of agronomic crops and algal species. This review focuses on PHOT modulated signalosome and artificial illumination-based photo-biotechnological approaches for the development of climate-smart crops.

Selective 13C labelling reveals the electronic structure of flavocoenzyme radicals

Flavocoenzymes are nearly ubiquitous cofactors that are involved in the catalysis and regulation of a wide range of biological processes including some light-induced ones, such as the photolyase-mediated DNA repair, magnetoreception of migratory birds, and the blue-light driven phototropism in plants. One of the factors that enable versatile flavin-coenzyme biochemistry and biophysics is the fine-tuning of the cofactor’s frontier orbital by interactions with the protein environment. Probing the singly-occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the intermediate radical state of flavins is therefore a prerequisite for a thorough understanding of the diverse functions of the flavoprotein family. This may be ultimately achieved by unravelling the hyperfine structure of a flavin by electron paramagnetic resonance. In this contribution we present a rigorous approach to obtaining a hyperfine map of the flavin’s chromophoric 7,8-dimethyl isoalloxazine unit at an as yet unprecedented level of resolution and accuracy. We combine powerful high-microwave-frequency/high-magnetic-field electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) with 13C isotopologue editing as well as spectral simulations and density functional theory calculations to measure and analyse 13C hyperfine couplings of the flavin cofactor in DNA photolyase. Our data will provide the basis for electronic structure considerations for a number of flavin radical intermediates occurring in blue-light photoreceptor proteins.

Phosphorylation of NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 affects photosensory adaptation during the phototropic response.

Photosensory adaptation, which can be classified as sensor or effector adaptation, optimizes the light sensing of living organisms by tuning their sensitivity to changing light conditions. During the phototropic response in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the light-dependent expression controls of blue-light (BL) photoreceptor phototropin 1 (phot1) and its modulator ROOT PHOTOTROPISM2 (RPT2) are known as the molecular mechanisms underlying sensor adaptation. However, little is known about effector adaption in plant phototropism. Here, we show that control of the phosphorylation status of NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 (NPH3) leads to effector adaptation in hypocotyl phototropism. We generated unphosphorable and phosphomimetic NPH3 proteins on seven phosphorylation sites in the etiolated seedlings of Arabidopsis. Unphosphorable NPH3 showed a shortening of its retention time in the cytosol and caused an inability to adapt to very low fluence rates of BL (∼10-5 µmol m-2 s-1) during the phototropic response. In contrast, the phosphomimetic NPH3 proteins had a lengthened retention time in the cytosol and could not enable the adaptation to BL at fluence rates of 10-3 µmol m-2 s-1 or more. Our results indicate that the activation level of phot1 and the corresponding phosphorylation level of NPH3 determine the dissociation rate and the reassociation rate of NPH3 on the plasma membrane, respectively. These mechanisms may moderately maintain the active state of phot1 signaling across a broad range of BL intensities and contribute to the photosensory adaptation of phot1 signaling during the phototropic response in hypocotyls.

Phototropin2-mediated hypocotyl phototropism is negatively regulated by JAC1 and RPT2 in Arabidopsis

Hypocotyl phototropism is redundantly mediated by phot1 and phot2, two blue light receptor phototropins, under the intensity of blue light>1 μmol m−2 s−1. As light intensity increases, phot1 inhibits the phot2-mediated response. To date, only Arabidopsis Root Phototropism2 (RPT2) has been shown to participate in phot1-mediated inhibition of phototropism. To dissect the signaling network that underlies phot1-mediated inhibition, we carried out a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening assay for RPT2 interacting proteins and identified J-domain protein required for chloroplast accumulation response 1 (JAC1). The interaction between JAC1 and RPT2 was verified by bimolecular fluorescence complementation and Co-IP assays. JAC1 is expressed mainly in cotyledons and hypocotyls. Like RPT2, JAC1 can be induced by blue light, suggesting that it may function similarly to RPT2 in the inhibition of phototropism. Genetic analysis showed that jac1 mutation significantly enhanced the hypocotyl bending of phot1 mutants towards intermediate-intensity blue light, and this effect was inhibited by the constitutive expression of JAC1 in the phot1 jac1 mutant. The phot1 rpt2 double mutant also exhibited enhanced phototropism compared with the phot1 mutant. Taken together, our data clearly demonstrate that JAC1 cooperates with RPT2 to negatively regulate hypocotyl phototropism in plants and may act either downstream of or in parallel with phot1.

Phototropism rapidly exploring random tree: An efficient rapidly exploring random tree approach based on the phototropism of plants

Inspired by the phototropism of plants, a novel variant of the rapidly exploring random tree algorithm as called phototropism rapidly exploring random tree is proposed. The phototropism rapidly exploring random tree algorithm expands less tree nodes during the exploration period and has shorter path length than the original rapidly exploring random tree algorithm. In the algorithm, a virtual light source is set up at the goal point, and a light beam propagation method is adopted on the map to generate a map of light intensity distribution. The phototropism rapidly exploring random tree expands its node toward the space where the light intensity is higher, while the original rapidly exploring random tree expands its node based on the uniform sampling strategy. The performance of the phototropism rapidly exploring random tree is tested in three scenarios which include the simulation environment and the real-world environment. The experimental results show that the proposed phototropism rapidly exploring random tree algorithm has a higher sampling efficiency than the original rapidly exploring random tree, and the path length is close to the optimal solution of the rapidly exploring random tree* algorithm without considering the non-holonomic constraint.

An efficient far-red emitting Ba2LaNbO6:Mn4+ nanophosphor for forensic latent fingerprint detection and horticulture lighting applications

Due to their unique optical properties like narrow emission bands, the applicability of fluorescent nanomaterials have recently been extended to various fields such as forensic science and urban farming. Herein, we report a novel fluorescent material of Mn4+ ions doped Ba2LaNbO6 (BLN:Mn4+) with nanorod-like morphology for latent fingerprint detection as well as plant growth light-emitting diodes (LEDs) through a facile citric acid-assisted sol-gel route. The crystallization, elemental composition and oxidation states present in the BLN:Mn4+ nanophosphors are confirmed by the X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The photoluminescence spectra reveal a promising red emission band at 685 nm wavelength region under both 351 and 510 nm excitations, which is the required far-red emission for phototropism in plants. Furthermore, the optimized BLN:0.25Mn4+ nanophosphors exhibited all the features required for three levels of latent fingerprint detection on various nonporous surfaces under 365 nm illumination. The fluctuation of the red value on pixel profile confirms the good affinity of BLN:0.25Mn4+ nanophosphors with the fingerprint ridges. Because of their excellent luminescent properties and brilliant performance in the latent fingerprint detection process, the synthesized BLN:Mn4+ nanophosphors can be considered as a promising fluorescent material for the fabrication of plant growth LEDs and latent fingerprint applications.

New evidence of Early Cretaceous petrified wood in Yumen, north-western Gansu, China and its palaeogeographical implication

ABSTRACT The phenomenon characterised by faster growth of the side of trees exposed to sunlight relative to the opposite side is termed plant phototropism. Vertical trunks of silicified wood occur in situ in the Hongliuxia area of Yumen City in north-western Gansu Province, China. A few trunks in the area exhibit well-preserved growth rings. Two petrified stumps reveal positive phototropism values of 279°–293° in the northwest direction. Living plants in Yumen City, Lanzhou City of Gansu Province and Beijing City showed positive phototropism values of 210°–255°±5° in the south-west direction. The evidence from wood phototropism supports clockwise rotation of the North China Block from previous palaeomagnetic studies since the Early Cretaceous. The petrified wood stumps in the Hongliuxia area of Yumen City are associated with 109 Ma strata corresponding to the main stage of the Yanshanian movement.

An Experimental System for Examining Phototropic Response of Gametophytic Shoots in the Moss Physcomitrella patens.

Shoot phototropism benefits growth and metabolism in land plants by enabling them to position their photosynthetic organs in favorable light conditions. Nonvascular land plants, like the ancestors of modern mosses, are believed to have been among the first plants to occupy the land. To understand the evolutional history of shoot phototropism in land plants, we have established a system for experimentally studying phototropism in gametophores of the moss Physcomitrella patens. Here we will describe the key points in our system, including obtaining etiolated gametophores, the light sources used for inducing bending, and the methods for evaluation of phototropic responses.

Phototropism of Petrified Wood and Its Relation with the Rotation of Different Blocks in China and the Possibility of Application in the World

Normally, trees on the side directly exposed to sunlight will grow faster than the opposing side. This phenomenon is termed plant phototropism. Moreover, palaeomagnetists have revealed that the Junnar Block has never rotated since the Mesozoic. The petrified woods in the Jiangjunmiao area of Qitai County show the positive phototropism direction of SSW220. By compared with the modern normal growth stumps in plain area, which have positive phototropism direction of SSW 219 ± 5, this observation supports the conclusion of palaeomagnetic researchers: the Junggar basin has never rotated since the Late Jurassic.

Phototropism in land plants: Molecules and mechanism from light perception to response

Phototropism is the response a plant exhibits when it is faced with a directional blue light stimulus. Though a seemingly simple differential cell elongation response within a responding tissue that results in organ curvature, phototropism is regulated through a complex set of signal perception and transduction events that move from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. In nature phototropism is one of several plant responses that have evolved to optimize photosynthesis and growth. In the present work we will review the state of the field with respect to the molecules and mechanisms associated with phototropism in land plants. A systematic literature search was done to identify relevant advances in the field. Though we tried to focus on literature within the past decade (1998-present), we have discussed and cited older literature where appropriate because of context or its significant impact to the present field. Several previous review articles are also cited where appropriate and readers should seek those out. A total of 199 articles are cited that fulfill the criteria listed above. Though important numerous and significant advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular, biochemical, cell biological and physiologic mechanisms underlying phototropism in land plants over the past decade, there are many remaining unanswered questions. The future is indeed bright for researchers in the field and we look forward to the next decade worth of discoveries.

Structural Basis for Substrate Selectivity of the E3 Ligase COP1

COP1 proteins are E3 ubiquitin ligases that regulate phototropism in plants and target transcription factors for degradation in mammals. The substrate-binding region of COP1 resides within a WD40-repeat domain that also binds to Trib proteins, which are adaptors for C/EBPα degradation. Here we report structures of the human COP1 WD40 domain in isolation, and complexes of the human and Arabidopsis thaliana COP1 WD40 domains with the binding motif of Trib1. The human and Arabidopsis WD40 domains are seven-bladed β propellers with an inserted loop on the bottom face of the first blade. The Trib1 peptide binds in an extended conformation to a highly conserved surface on the top face of the β propeller, indicating a general mode for recognition of peptide motifs by COP1. Together, these studies identify the structural basis and key interactions formotif recognition by COP1, and hint at how Trib1 autoinhibition is overcome to target C/EBPα for degradation.

Sesquiterpene Lactones: More Than Protective Plant Compounds With High Toxicity

ABSTRACTSesquiterpene lactones (STLs) constitute a large group of secondary metabolites that are widely distributed in several angiosperm plant families and a few bryophytes, including liverworts. These metabolites are particularly diversified in the family Asteraceae, in which more than 5,000 compounds have been reported so far. In addition to their pharmacological importance and potential therapeutic applications, most STLs display a wide range of protective activities in plants, including acting as anti-herbivory and antimicrobial substances or inhibiting growth of competing plants. These activities are mainly related to their characteristic α,β-unsaturated structural elements, which can participate in Michael-type additions with biological nucleophiles that contain sulfhydryl groups. Supporting the protective roles of STLs, they are mainly located in glandular trichomes of aerial parts because the highly nonspecific toxicity of such compounds necessitates compartmentalization to prevent autotoxicity. However, STLs have also been reported in other aerial and underground organs, where they are assumed to exhibit other biological activities. Recent studies have suggested that these metabolites not only display protective activities due to toxicity but also play key physiological roles in mediating rhizosphere communication among plants, soil microorganisms and plant parasites. STLs have been directly implicated in plant phototropism, resulting in differential growth of a plant organ due to auxin inhibition when accumulated in response to a light stimulus. This review therefore not only highlights the protective roles of STLs in producing plants but also explores the physiological roles of these metabolites, thus providing insights for new research approaches for understanding the roles of STLs in plants and their potential future applications.

The origin and evolution of phototropins

Plant phototropism, the ability to bend toward or away from light, is predominantly controlled by blue-light photoreceptors, the phototropins. Although phototropins have been well-characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana, their evolutionary history is largely unknown. In this study, we complete an in-depth survey of phototropin homologs across land plants and algae using newly available transcriptomic and genomic data. We show that phototropins originated in an ancestor of Viridiplantae (land plants + green algae). Phototropins repeatedly underwent independent duplications in most major land-plant lineages (mosses, lycophytes, ferns, and seed plants), but remained single-copy genes in liverworts and hornworts—an evolutionary pattern shared with another family of photoreceptors, the phytochromes. Following each major duplication event, the phototropins differentiated in parallel, resulting in two specialized, yet partially overlapping, functional forms that primarily mediate either low- or high-light responses. Our detailed phylogeny enables us to not only uncover new phototropin lineages, but also link our understanding of phototropin function in Arabidopsis with what is known in Adiantum and Physcomitrella (the major model organisms outside of flowering plants). We propose that the convergent functional divergences of phototropin paralogs likely contributed to the success of plants through time in adapting to habitats with diverse and heterogeneous light conditions.

The Phototropism of Jurassic Petrified Wood in North China Plate

Trees on the side directly exposed to sunlight generally grow faster than on the opposite side, a phenomenon termed plant phototropism. There are in situ vertical trunks of silicified wood in the Xiadelongwan area of Yanqing County, north Beijing, where the first National Geologic Park of Petrified Wood of China has been built since 2002. A few trunks have well-preserved growth rings. One petrified stump from the formation shows a positive phototropism direction of SW230°. As compared with the modern normal growth stumps in Beijing plain area, which have a positive phototropism direction of SW210 ° ± 5°, the evidence of wood phototropism supports the conclusion of previous palaeomagnetic studies that the North China Plate has rotated clockwise since the Late Jurassic. The known petrified wood stumps in the Yanshan-Liaoning area are mainly found from the strata of 165–136 Ma, which corresponds to the main stage of the Yanshanian Movement.

Initiation of phototropic growth: The where, the how and the now

For centuries, phototropism has given researchers a convenient experimental system to study how light directs plant growth. Yet, despite over a century of research, deciphering how plants reorientate their growth to maximize photosynthetic light capture and promote seedling survival has proved remarkably challenging. In this article, we present a brief historical overview of our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying shoot phototropism in higher plants and discuss recent progress that now provides new insights on where this adaptive growth response is initiated in dicotyledonous seedlings.