We investigated the change in stiffness of the external primary cell wall of living Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in the presence of metallic stress using atomic force microscopy. Results reveal for the first time the uncoupling between mechanical response (CW stiffening) and root extension arrest. Molecular synergy has also been demonstrated in the physiological response to stress, where the Aluminum stress response enhances the Iron stress response via the organic acid malate.
Kaur H, Teulon J-M, Godon C, Desnos T, Chen S-wW and Pellequer J-L (2024) Correlation between plant cell wall stiffening and root extension arrest phenotype in the combined abiotic stress of Fe and Al. Plant Cell Environ. 47:574–584.