Sogang University team discovers cuticle's key role in plant wound healing

Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism plants use to heal their wounds, revealing that the cuticle, the waxy outer layer, is more than just a barrier. A team led by Professor Seo Mi-jeong from Sogang University's Department of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Lee Hyo-jun's team at Korea University, has demonstrated that the cuticle actively coordinates the plant's entire wound-healing process.

Plants, unable to move or speak, possess a sophisticated defense system to respond to external injuries. When a plant is wounded, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are rapidly generated within the cells. While ROS signals are crucial for cell regeneration and callus formation at the wound site, their uncontrolled spread can lead to abnormal callus induction in undamaged tissues.

This new study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, identifies the FERONIA (FER) receptor kinase as a key player. The research shows that FER directly promotes cuticle development on the epidermis. The resulting cuticle then acts as a physical and chemical firewall, blocking the spread of ROS. Specifically, the newly formed cuticle adjacent to wounded cells suppresses the uncontrolled propagation of ROS, prevents disorganized callus formation in healthy tissues, and induces programmed cell death (PCD) at the wound boundary, ensuring a clean and efficient closure.

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The cuticle is not just a physical barrier but a key structure that coordinates the entire process of plant wound healing.

This groundbreaking discovery fundamentally changes the understanding of plant defense and repair mechanisms. The research highlights the dynamic role of the cuticle, moving beyond its traditional perception as a passive protective layer. The findings have significant implications for agricultural science and plant biology, potentially leading to new strategies for enhancing plant resilience and crop yields.

Professor Seo Mi-jeong's team is continuing their research, focusing on developing global competitiveness in future bio-materials for agriculture. Their work is supported by a project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, aiming to advance green bio-material industrialization technologies.

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The FERONIA (FER) receptor kinase directly promotes the development of the epidermis's cuticle, which then acts as a firewall against reactive oxygen species.