Mechanism for Mimosa leaf-curling?

[gross at georgian.edu]

 See Kameyama et al., 2000, Nature 407:37.  I believe the turgor changes
still occur but that the molecular process of bending is thought to be due
to decreased actin tyrosine-phosphorylation in the pulvinus.


Michael F. Gross, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Assistant Dean for Program Initiatives
Director, M.S. in Biology Program
Director, S. Mary Grace Burns Arboretum of Georgian Court College

Mailing Address:
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gross at georgian.edu



                                                                                                 
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                    10/02/01 11:40 AM                                                            
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 




Hi Plant-edders,

In www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/records/rec117.htm I explained the
mechanism behind the sensitive leaf curl of Mimosa in terms of change in
turgor pressure.

A member of the public has emailed me to suggest that the current
thinking is that it involves contractile proteins in the cytoskeleton.

Can you shed any light on this please?

Thanks

John



Dr. John Hewitson
Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)
Homerton College
Cambridge CB2 2PH  UK
email: hom-saps at lists.cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 507168
Fax: +44 (0)1223 215004
web site: http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk

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