2023/11/23 by Ganesh M. Nawkar, Martina Legris, Anupama Goyal +7 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Light effects on plants #Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms #Plant Molecular Biology Research
paper · doi:10.1126/science.adh9384
openalex publication_date 2023/11/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
In plants, light direction is perceived by the phototropin photoreceptors, which trigger directional growth responses known as phototropism. The formation of a phototropin activation gradient across a photosensitive organ initiates this response. However, the optical tissue properties that functionally contribute to phototropism remain unclear. In this work, we show that intercellular air channels limit light transmittance through various organs in several species. Air channels enhance light scattering in Arabidopsis hypocotyls, thereby steepening the light gradient. This is required for an efficient phototropic response in Arabidopsis and Brassica. We identified an embryonically expressed ABC transporter required for the presence of air channels in seedlings and a structure surrounding them. Our work provides insights into intercellular air space development or maintenance and identifies a mechanism of directional light sensing in plants.