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seen within minutes after touch, and over 700 genes have altered transcript
levels within 30 min. The prevalence of touch-responsive genes and the
rapidity with which such changes in gene expression occur are indications
that nonspecialized plants do possess capacity for rapid responses to touch.
Recent research reveals the types of genes upregulated by touch and
implicate Ca 2+ signaling, cell wall modification and disease resistance as
potential downstream responses. Further work is needed to reveal the
physiological relevance of these touch-induced changes in gene expres-
sion. Furthermore, touch-induced genes are powerful molecular tools for
thedissectionoftheperceptionandresponsepathwaysthatenableplants
to perceive mechanical stimuli and manifest appropriate responses. Per-
ception mechanisms and intercellular and intracellular transduction ma-
chinery and signals await future discovery.
Acknowledgements. Our research in this area is supported by the Depart-
ment of Energy (grant no. DE-FG02-03ER15394) and the National Science
Foundation (grant nos. IBN-9982654, IBN-0321532 and IBN-0313432).
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