The formin protein RMD regulates rice stomatal opening by modulating tonoplast-endoplasmic reticulum associations

The stoma is key to plant growth and development, with highly controlled functions. However, the regulatory mechanisms of stomata remain largely unknown in monocot crop species. In this study, we reveal that guard cell physiology is regulated by actin cytoskeleton-mediated changes to tonoplast-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites in rice. This mechanism is mediated via the formin protein Rice Morphology Determinant and the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein VAP1 at intersections of the ER and actin filaments. Notably, monocot (rice) guard cells contain two distinct types of vacuoles, where the central vacuole size and stomatal aperture are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, VAP1 localized at both the ER and central vacuole, which closely aligned with the ER and actin cytoskeleton. Genetic interactions of vap1 and rmd-1 led to defects in rice stomatal aperture, which impacted light-induced stomatal opening. Our results significantly extend our knowledge of crop stomatal regulation.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Cell Reports
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116689
Primary Topic
Cellular transport and secretion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The formin protein RMD regulates rice stomatal opening by modulating tonoplast-endoplasmic reticulum associations

Wenguo Cai, Staffan Persson, Lingyan Cao, Miing‐Tiem Yong et al.
Cell Reports
Cellular transport and secretion
article

The formin protein RMD regulates rice stomatal opening by modulating tonoplast-endoplasmic reticulum associations

Wenguo Cai, Staffan Persson, Lingyan Cao, Miing‐Tiem Yong, Zhong‐Hua Chen, Jianxin Shi, Jinliang Rao, Zengyu Liu, Shu‐Wei Chang, Wanqi Liang, Isabella Østerlund, Jiao Zhang, Dabing Zhang, Zhe Qu
article en

Abstract

The stoma is key to plant growth and development, with highly controlled functions. However, the regulatory mechanisms of stomata remain largely unknown in monocot crop species. In this study, we reveal that guard cell physiology is regulated by actin cytoskeleton-mediated changes to tonoplast-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites in rice. This mechanism is mediated via the formin protein Rice Morphology Determinant and the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein VAP1 at intersections of the ER and actin filaments. Notably, monocot (rice) guard cells contain two distinct types of vacuoles, where the central vacuole size and stomatal aperture are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, VAP1 localized at both the ER and central vacuole, which closely aligned with the ER and actin cytoskeleton. Genetic interactions of vap1 and rmd-1 led to defects in rice stomatal aperture, which impacted light-induced stomatal opening. Our results significantly extend our knowledge of crop stomatal regulation.

Cell ReportsVol. 44(12)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Guangxi University (CN), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), State Key Laboratory For Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources (CN), Western Sydney University (AU), Australian Wine Research Institute (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Cellular transport and secretion
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.