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Resistance of plants to gravitational force

  • Current Topics in Plant Research
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Abstract

Developing resistance to gravitational force is a critical response for terrestrial plants to survive under 1 × g conditions. We have termed this reaction “gravity resistance” and have analyzed its nature and mechanisms using hypergravity conditions produced by centrifugation and microgravity conditions in space. Our results indicate that plants develop a short and thick body and increase cell wall rigidity to resist gravitational force. The modification of body shape is brought about by the rapid reorientation of cortical microtubules that is caused by the action of microtubule-associated proteins in response to the magnitude of the gravitational force. The modification of cell wall rigidity is regulated by changes in cell wall metabolism that are caused by alterations in the levels of cell wall enzymes and in the pH of apoplastic fluid (cell wall fluid). Mechanoreceptors on the plasma membrane may be involved in the perception of the gravitational force. In this review, we discuss methods for altering gravitational conditions and describe the nature and mechanisms of gravity resistance in plants.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to numerous colleagues and collaborators. Thanks are also due to Professor T. Hoson and Dr. K. Wakabayashi of Osaka City University for critical reading of the manuscript and valuable suggestions. The present study was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Grant for Ground-based Research for Space Utilization from Japan Space Forum, and by Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society.

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Correspondence to Kouichi Soga.

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K. Soga is the recipient of the BSJ Award for Young Scientist, 2011.

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Soga, K. Resistance of plants to gravitational force. J Plant Res 126, 589–596 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-013-0572-4

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