A deeper understanding of plant messenger RNAs
To coordinate their behaviours and growth, plants need communication between their cells. Scientists recently discovered a category of signalling molecules known as messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that travel between cells in plants. Yet their exact nature – and how they moved inside plants – was unclear. “We knew that messenger RNAs can move between tissues and cells, but we did not know anything about their function,” says Friedrich Kragler from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology. In the PLAMORF(opens in new window) project, which was funded by the European Research Council(opens in new window), scientists led by Kragler investigated these pieces of genetic information to find out more.
Modelling and investigating the features of mRNAs
Kragler’s main focus was to identify the mechanism which allows an mRNA to move between cells and what consequences it has for the plant. Another group led by Richard Morris at the John Innes Centre(opens in new window) in the United Kingdom was tasked with modelling and analysing features of mRNAs. The other group headed by Julia Kehr at the University of Hamburg(opens in new window) focused on RNA binding proteins, which are found in the vascular system of plants. PLAMORF led to several major findings. One was that RNA binding proteins can form condensates, a special form of liquid aggregates which the researchers believe can regulate accessibility and mobility of mRNAs – to both protect and deliver them elsewhere around the plant. “These condensates can be formed by changing environmental conditions,” notes Kragler, including drought and heat stress. Another major output was the development of a new database to analyse their findings, after they discovered their original one had a high degree of misinformation and possible false positives. “Knowing that statistical noise is relatively high, we suggested to the whole community how it should be analysed and how to do it in the right way,” adds Kragler. This took two years and a lot of hard work. “It was one of the most complex things we ever did.” The research also found that a lack of mobility in mRNAs changes the phenotype of the plant, reflected in differing times when flowers form, for example. “That means this mobility has a function to maintain plant growth in a robust way,” Kragler notes.
Delivering genetic information through transgenic roots
One significant outcome of the project was covered widely in the media, including several major newspapers. This research, based on methods and findings from the project, created transgenic roots that can be grafted onto other plants and deliver enzymes that change genetic information. This can be used to alter a plant’s genome in a way that is inherited in the next generation, rapidly speeding up breeding of promising crops – such as those more resilient to climate change. “Depending on the species, you can save up to 20 or 30 years of breeding time,” says Kragler. Many other groups are now using this technology to improve their breeding.
Boosting European food security
The findings from PLAMORF could have huge impacts on food security, by making crops more resilient to climate change impacts, including heat, water and pathogens. “The outcome was in general, very positive, with a lot of aspects on the academic side, technology-wise to industry, and also to help speed up breeding programmes for future challenges in Europe,” remarks Kragler. “So I’m actually quite happy.”
