Distinct nanoscale dynamics of growth receptor complexes link hormone perception to rapid cell wall remodeling

PSK rapidly alters nanoscale cell wall properties in elongating Arabidopsis hypocotyls, and its receptor dynamics differ from brassinosteroid signaling.

• Why it matters: Early hormone perception mechanisms that link receptor activation to immediate mechanical remodeling—especially for PSK—remain unclear.
• What they did: Using atomic force microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, the study compared PSK versus BR effects on wall mechanical properties, porosity, and apoplastic pH, and used super-resolution microscopy to track BRI1, PSKR1, and BAK1 dynamics.
• The result: BR I1 shifts to a faster diffusive state after ligand perception, PSKR1 forms tighter clusters, and BAK1 shows reduced cluster density after PSK; BAK1 loss disrupts PSKR1 reorganization, with RLP44 required but its dynamics unchanged.