Genetius

Using a microfluidic valve rootchip, the study simultaneously tracked ROS and calcium dynamics in compressed roots and found three kinetic phases linking mechanosensitive channel activity, NADPH oxidase‑dependent ROS accumulation, and secondary calcium influx. Pharmacological inhibition revealed that a fast calcium response is mediated by plasma‑membrane mechanosensitive channels, while a slower calcium increase is driven by ROS production.

The study identifies a conserved hydrophobic core within the coiled‑coil (CC) domain of helper NLRs (NRCs) that is essential for NRC4-mediated cell death and immunity. Structural and functional analyses show that this core regulates subcellular localization, oligomerization, and phospholipid association of NRC4, highlighting a novel mechanistic feature of NLR function.