The transcriptional mechanism behind Mimosa pudica leaf-folding in response to physical disturbance

Priming is a mechanism used by plants to rapidly respond to external stimuli, becoming essential for their survival and resistance to unfavorable conditions. The physiological state acquired by a plant after the exposure to repeated stress is the result of molecular mechanisms determining plant's memory of past stress events. Mimosa pudica is a plant known for its ability to respond to physical disturbance by folding its leaves. The movement is determined by a strong Ca2+ influx, which acts as both osmotic pressure regulator and secondary messenger for gene expression. Considering the need to intervene in a sustainable way to counteract the ever-increasing biotic and abiotic stresses caused by climate change, it would be particularly interesting to deepen our knowledge on stress tolerance development in primed plants. From this perspective, M. pudica can be a valuable model for studying the molecular mechanisms related to adaptive memory acquisition after repeated stress events. In this study, the gene regulatory networks underlying M. pudica leaf closure following single and multiple mechanical disturbances (droppings) were investigated.