When cells lose water: Lessons from biophysics and molecular biology

Organisms living in deserts and anhydrobiotic species are useful models for unraveling mechanisms used to overcome water loss. In this context, late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins and sugars have been extensively studied for protection against desiccation stress and desiccation tolerance. Thi...

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Published inProgress in biophysics and molecular biology Vol. 99; no. 1; pp. 1 - 6
Main Authors Caramelo, Julio J., Iusem, Norberto D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 2009
Subjects
Abiotic stress
Biophysics - trends
Cell Physiological Phenomena
Desiccation
Drought
Heat-Shock Response - physiology
LEA proteins
Models, Biological
Molecular Biology - trends
Natively unfolded
Water - metabolism
ABA
CD
DSR
Abiotic stress
Desiccation
LEA
Natively unfolded
ER
LEA proteins
FTIR
UPR
ROS
Drought
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Summary:Organisms living in deserts and anhydrobiotic species are useful models for unraveling mechanisms used to overcome water loss. In this context, late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins and sugars have been extensively studied for protection against desiccation stress and desiccation tolerance. This article aims to reappraise the current understanding of these molecules by focusing on converging contributions from biochemistry, molecular biology, and the use of biophysical tools. Such tools have greatly advanced the field by uncovering intriguing aspects of protein 3-D structure, such as folding upon stress. We summarize the current research on cellular responses against water deficit at the molecular level, considering both plausible water loss–sensing mechanisms and genes governing signal transduction pathways. Finally, we propose models that could guide future experimentation, for example, by concentrating on the behavior of selected proteins in living cells.
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ISSN:0079-6107
1873-1732
DOI:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2008.10.001