Slits in the wall! Pulvinar slits confer unique cell wall mechanics for leaf movement

Review Multidisciplinary Sciences

The mechanics of plant morphogenesis

Enrico Coen et al.

SCIENCE (2023)

Article Plant Sciences

Pulvinar slits: Cellulose-deficient and de-methyl-esterified pectin-rich structures in a legume motor cell

Masahiro Takahara et al.

Summary: A unique cell wall structure, termed pulvinar slits, was discovered in a legume motor cell, the cortical motor cells (CMCs), which play a role in repetitive and reversible organ deformation during leaf movement. These pulvinar slits have circumferential slits with low levels of cellulose deposition, and predominantly contain de-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan. Furthermore, computer modeling and experiments showed that pulvinar slits facilitate anisotropic extension and can alter their opening width in response to turgor pressure and osmotic conditions.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (2023)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Multiscale structural anisotropy steers plant organ actuation

David A. Sleboda et al.

Summary: Research has found that the multiscale structure of plant tissue plays a crucial role in leaf movement. By investigating the morphology and anatomy of Mimosa pudica pulvinus at multiple hierarchical scales and swelling pulvini with osmotic perturbations, researchers have observed that the hierarchical structure guides the hydraulic deformation of pulvini. The findings suggest that the multiscale mechanics are essential for translating cell-level turgor variations into organ-scale pulvinus motion in vivo.

CURRENT BIOLOGY (2023)

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Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Mechanics of Reversible Deformation during Leaf Movement and Regulation of Pulvinus Development in Legumes

Miyuki T. Nakata et al.

Summary: This review provides an introduction to leaf movement and reversible deformation from the perspective of mechanics and molecular genetics, summarizing the basic mathematics of cell volume changes, cell wall function, and the mechanics of bending deformation at a macro scale. The findings of recent molecular genetic studies of pulvinar development and the mechanisms of adaxial/abaxial patterning are also reviewed.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2022)

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Article Green & Sustainable Science & Technology