Lund University study reveals how plants respond to touch

A Swedish study has revealed how plants respond to physical touch and mechanical stress at a molecular level. Researchers at Lund University conducted experiments on Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant, to observe internal reactions to mechanical stimulation.

The study demonstrated that a chain of three proteins known as MAP kinase activates in less than a minute when the plant is stressed. This activation triggers signals that influence the activity of hundreds to thousands of genes related to the plant's growth and early response to stimulation.

While it has been known for over 25 years that mechanical stimulation activates MAP kinases, this research clarifies their role as molecular messengers rather than the initial sensors. Researchers noted that while the MAP kinase pathway affects approximately 800 genes involved in early responses, the specific mechanism by which the initial mechanical signal is detected remains unknown and is a subject for future investigation.