The LSM proteins, key regulators of mRNA metabolism, are essential for plant response to adverse environmental conditions

Dr. Julio Salinas' group at CIB described the participation of the cytoplasmic LSM1-7 complex, involved in central aspects of mRNA metabolism, in the response of plants to adverse environmental conditions originated by abiotic stresses such as freezing temperatures, drought or high salt.

This study, recently published in The Plant Cell, uncovers the central role of LSM1-7 in the extensive gene expression reprogramming required for plant adaptation to challenging situations. More important, the identification of LSM1-7 direct mRNA targets revealed that this complex modulates gene expression through targeting specific mRNAs for decapping and subsequent degradation depending on the type of stress. These results constitute the first evidence in eukaryotes of the capacity of LSM1-7 to selectively interact with specific mRNAs, which is essential for plant adaption to the environment.