About this Research Topic
Traditionally the pH in plant cells is believed to be relatively stable. For example, the pH of cytosol is around 7.0 while that of vacuole being 5.0 or 5.5. However, evidence has been accruing to suggest that there are transient changes in the pH of the cytosol, vacuole, and apoplast. The modulation of pH could trigger changes in the metabolism, growth, and development of plant cells. Changes in pH occurred several plant tissues: mesophyll, guard cell, phloem, vascular bundles, root hairs, and pollen tube. These pH changes were compartmentalized to either apoplast, vacuole, and cytosol, besides the boundary layer of cells. Though there has been an explosion of information on such pH changes, comprehensive reviews are limited. It is, therefore, an appropriate time to plan and present a Research Topic on the pH changes in plant cells, their origin, and function.
The importance of pH in plant cells is fast emerging as a signal and secondary messenger. During stomatal movement, pH is an important secondary messenger. The role of pH as a secondary messenger can be complemented by intracellular Ca2+ and related protein kinases. Similarly, the origin of pH change, whether from apoplast, plasma membrane, or tonoplast, is still debated. The cytosolic pH changes can help plants fight plant pathogens, trigger hypersensitive responses and promote the biosynthesis of secondary compounds, like carotenoids and GABA. Acidification of plant cells is an integral component of auxin action. Transient changes in pH can mediate inter-organelle interaction and exert both short-/long-term effects. The goal of the Research Topic is to bring out all aspects of pH in plant cells into focus. This Research Topic collection will trigger further interest in the importance of pH in plant cells while providing a comprehensive base of knowledge.
This Research Topic focuses on new developments and emerging ideas on the importance of pH in plant cells. The topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, and opinions/hypotheses. The contributions can be on all pH-related phenomena in plant cells, for example, but not limited to, the following areas.
• Cutting-edge technologies to monitor pH changes in plant cells
• Emerging importance cytosolic pH in plant cells
• pH as a signal during hormonal action
• Role in the growth of roots, pollen tubes, and shoot tip
• Modulation of primary and secondary metabolism
• Differentiation and development: of root nodules
• Adaptation to abiotic and biotic stress
• Interaction with ion transport, particularly nitrate, calcium, and ammonium
• Alkalization or acidification in different compartments of plant cell
The importance of pH in plant cells is fast emerging as a signal and secondary messenger. During stomatal movement, pH is an important secondary messenger. The role of pH as a secondary messenger can be complemented by intracellular Ca2+ and related protein kinases. Similarly, the origin of pH change, whether from apoplast, plasma membrane, or tonoplast, is still debated. The cytosolic pH changes can help plants fight plant pathogens, trigger hypersensitive responses and promote the biosynthesis of secondary compounds, like carotenoids and GABA. Acidification of plant cells is an integral component of auxin action. Transient changes in pH can mediate inter-organelle interaction and exert both short-/long-term effects. The goal of the Research Topic is to bring out all aspects of pH in plant cells into focus. This Research Topic collection will trigger further interest in the importance of pH in plant cells while providing a comprehensive base of knowledge.
This Research Topic focuses on new developments and emerging ideas on the importance of pH in plant cells. The topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, and opinions/hypotheses. The contributions can be on all pH-related phenomena in plant cells, for example, but not limited to, the following areas.
• Cutting-edge technologies to monitor pH changes in plant cells
• Emerging importance cytosolic pH in plant cells
• pH as a signal during hormonal action
• Role in the growth of roots, pollen tubes, and shoot tip
• Modulation of primary and secondary metabolism
• Differentiation and development: of root nodules
• Adaptation to abiotic and biotic stress
• Interaction with ion transport, particularly nitrate, calcium, and ammonium
• Alkalization or acidification in different compartments of plant cell
Keywords: pH in plant cells, plant cell, pH, secondary messenger, signaling, stomata, growth, roots, stress, ion transport
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
