GABA signalling modulates stomatal opening to enhance plant water use efficiency and drought resilience

Bo Xu, Yu Long, Xueying Feng, Xujun Zhu, Na Sai, Larissa Chirkova, Annette Betts, Johannes Herrmann, Everard J. Edwards, Mamoru Okamoto, Rainer Hedrich and Matthew Gilliham ()
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Bo Xu: Waite Research Institute
Yu Long: Waite Research Institute
Xueying Feng: Waite Research Institute
Xujun Zhu: Waite Research Institute
Na Sai: Waite Research Institute
Larissa Chirkova: University of Adelaide
Annette Betts: CSIRO Agriculture & Food
Johannes Herrmann: University of Würzburg
Everard J. Edwards: CSIRO Agriculture & Food
Mamoru Okamoto: University of Adelaide
Rainer Hedrich: University of Würzburg
Matthew Gilliham: Waite Research Institute

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The non-protein amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been proposed to be an ancient messenger for cellular communication conserved across biological kingdoms. GABA has well-defined signalling roles in animals; however, whilst GABA accumulates in plants under stress it has not been determined if, how, where and when GABA acts as an endogenous plant signalling molecule. Here, we establish endogenous GABA as a bona fide plant signal, acting via a mechanism not found in animals. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, we show guard cell GABA production is necessary and sufficient to reduce stomatal opening and transpirational water loss, which improves water use efficiency and drought tolerance, via negative regulation of a stomatal guard cell tonoplast-localised anion transporter. We find GABA modulation of stomata occurs in multiple plants, including dicot and monocot crops. This study highlights a role for GABA metabolism in fine tuning physiology and opens alternative avenues for improving plant stress resilience.

Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21694-3

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21694-3

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