Membrane Lipids in the Interaction of Plants with Their Abiotic and Biotic Environment

Dear Colleagues,

Plants are sessile organisms that have to cope with a tremendous array of abiotic environmental variations, from sudden changes occurring within hours to long-term stresses at seasonal scale. Fixed in the soil, they acclimate reversibly to light intensity and quality variations, such as high UV irradiance; changes in temperatures, such as freezing; exposure to noxious gases and ozone; changes in soil composition, such as acidic pH; lack of phosphorous, nitrogen, or other nutrients; anoxia; excess of water; drought; etc. One of the first modifications occurring in plants subjected to abiotic stresses is a regulation of metabolic pathways and a reprogramming of gene expression controlling the balance between membrane lipid classes, their fatty acid profiles, and their subcellular localization, ending up with a so-called (glycerol)lipid remodeling. Strikingly, membrane lipids are also primordial molecular actors in plant responses to viruses and bacteria, pathogenic or not, and all sorts of biotic interactions. Sphingolipids and sterols are key components of membrane domains acting as functional platforms in biotic interactions. Some viruses and bacteria can divert plant subcellular membranes for their own benefit. Major phyto-hormones activated during biotic stresses include jasmonic acid and other oxylipins deriving from polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is noteworthy that, in various abiotic and biotic interactions, phosphoinositides derived from membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol operate in signaling pathways. To address the impact of climate change on plants, membrane lipids need, therefore, to be closely examined. This Special Issue aims to summarize the current knowledge on the role of membrane lipids and their derivatives in the interaction of plants with their abiotic and biotic environment.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Éric Maréchal
Dr. Rebecca Roston
Guest Editors

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