The secret motor protein that slams leaf pores shut—and saves crops

 



While the role of ABA in drought response is well-established, researchers have now identified a surprising contributor to this process: myosin XI, a motor protein traditionally known for transporting cellular components. To explore this, a team of researchers led by Professor Motoki Tominaga from Waseda University, Japan, conducted a study to determine whether myosin XI actively contributes to drought response in plants and to uncover the processes involved. "Although previous studies have suggested a potential involvement of myosin XI in drought stress responses, the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear," shares Tominaga. The findings of this research were published in Volume 44 of Plant Cell Reports on June 19, 2025. The study was co-authored by Graduate Student Haiyang Liu, also from Waseda University.

The results were striking. Plants lacking myosin XI, especially the 2ko and 3ko mutants, showed a higher rate of water loss, impaired stomatal closure, and lower survival under drought. They were also less responsive to ABA, as seen in higher germination rates and reduced inhibition of root growth under hormone treatment. At the cellular level, these mutants exhibited reduced ROS production as well as disrupted microtubule remodeling, both of which are essential for ABA-induced stomatal closure. Key stress-related genes also showed decreased expression, indicating that myosin XI plays a regulatory role in ABA signaling.

These findings reveal that myosin XI is not just a transport protein, but it actively supports plant drought defense by coordinating ROS signaling, microtubule remodeling, and gene activation in guard cells. This enables plants to close stomata more effectively and conserve water. "It was found that in multiple mutants of plant myosin XI, the rate of water loss during drought is four times faster than in the wild type," notes Tominaga. "This finding offers a new perspective on how plants adapt to environmental changes."

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