Abstract:

The formation of biomolecular condensates via phase separation has emerged as the key way of organization inside cells. Biomolecular condensates possess specific functions and provide a microenvironment for specific biochemical reactions, and finely regulates cellular activities in space and time. Phase separation is a highly dynamic process that is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, pH, salt concentration, and other physicochemical factors. Consequently, phase separation can rapidly respond to external stimuli, serving as a stress sensor to perceive and transduce stress signals. In recent years, the involvement of phase separation in plants has gained increasing attention, particularly in the context of stress sensing and response. This article summarizes recent research on the roles of phase separation in stress signal perception and response, and provides an overview of the research progress regarding the role of phase separation in plant stress responses. The aim is to provide insights for further studies on the roles of phase separation in stress perception and adaptation in plants.

Key words: biomolecular condensate, phase separation, stress sensor, plant, stress response