Our latest preprint, published in Molecular Plant, explores how key components of the plant endosomal sorting complex (ESCRT)—specifically TOL3, SNF7.1, and VPS4—diverge in function during salt stress in barley.
Using our innovative DRD-BIBLOX system for near-natural growth conditions, we found that high salinity impairs barley seedling development and root architecture, while proteomic analysis revealed tissue-specific regulation of ESCRT proteins. Notably, HvSNF7.1 and HvVPS4 act as distinct modulators of stress tolerance, and TOL proteins play novel roles in salinity adaptation—knockouts proved lethal in barley, and in Arabidopsis, AtTOL3 loss hampers germination under salt. These findings pave the way for enhancing crop resilience in saline environments.