Regulation of vacuole fusion, a pivotal mechanism mitigating salt-induced inhibition of root cell growth

Regulation of vacuole fusion, a pivotal mechanism mitigating salt-induced inhibition of root cell growth | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Regulation of vacuole fusion, a pivotal mechanism mitigating salt-induced inhibition of root cell growth Cecilia Rodriguez-Furlan, Oliver Betz, Wylie Tiernan, Kurtis Shipman, and 6 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5861118/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Vacuoles are essential for plant growth and morphogenesis. Vacuoles fused under normal conditions, promoting cell elongation and organ growth. Changes in vacuole dynamics affect root growth, but how these dynamics are modulated during stress remains unclear. We found that short-term exposure to low-salt concentrations decreases root growth, primarily impairing root cell elongation. In root cells, vacuole fusion consistently decreases despite an increase in the overall vacuole volume. Accordingly, RABG3f, which regulates the formation of tethering complexes necessary for fusion, is retained at enlarged endosomes. Genetic interference of the vacuole fusion machinery results in salt-insensitive root phenotypes that are reversed by the pharmacological induction of vacuole fusion. Importantly, these mutants recover root growth more efficiently after salt stress, indicating that vacuole fusion inhibition serves as a protective mechanism. This fundamental mechanism may serve broader roles in stress tolerance by inhibiting fusion, increasing vacuole convolution, and mitigating stress impact on root growth. Biological sciences/Plant sciences/Plant cell biology Biological sciences/Plant sciences/Plant stress responses/Abiotic Vacuole fusion RABG3f ccz1ab vti11 actin Wortmannin osmotic stress convolution salt stress root growth Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files NCOMMS2505169rs.pdf Reporting Summary Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5861118","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":413355201,"identity":"f840fd21-a027-40be-a64b-eaf9107f6849","order_by":0,"name":"Cecilia 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