Aw, snap! How reversible protein lipidation helps plants deal with sudden temperature dives.

This article discusses a study conducted on the model legume species Medicago truncatula to understand how plants cope with sudden drops in temperature. The researchers focused on a transcription factor called MtNAC80, which is highly expressed in response to cold stress. They discovered that MtNAC80 undergoes reversible protein lipidation, specifically S-acylation, which allows it to associate with cell membranes. The study also identified the proteins responsible for the acylation and de-acylation of MtNAC80, as well as its target genes involved in reducing oxidative stress. Understanding these mechanisms could have implications for improving crop tolerance to cold snaps. [Extracted from the article]