Environmental stresses, such as temperature fluctuations, drought, salinity, or oxidative stress, induce a wide range of physiological and molecular changes across all living organisms. A central element of the cellular response to these constraints lies in the protection and regulation of essential macromolecules, notably DNA, RNA, and proteins. Among these, the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) metabolism has emerged as a particularly dynamic and responsive layer of gene expression control.
One protective mechanism relies on the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates known as biomolecular condensates. These structures mainly appear under stress conditions and enable the concentration of RNA and proteins. The mechanisms underlying their formation have been extensively studied in plants, revealing the key players involved in their nucleation. More recently, post-translational modifications of these players have been identified as a new dimension in the regulation of condensate formation.
A review published by Margaux Legoux (LGDP, Perpignan), Jean-Philippe Reichheld (LGDP, Perpignan), and Rémy Merret (IBMP) in the journal New Phytologist highlights the central role of these post-translational modifications in the mechanisms driving cytoplasmic condensate formation in plants.
This article emphasizes the importance of these protein modifications in aggregation processes triggered by stress and, more broadly, their contribution to the global adaptive strategies of plants in response to environmental constraints.
