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Membrane dynamics during plant autophagosome formation.
Plant Cell. 36, 1312-1333. DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae099
Research Interests
Research Interests
- Autophagosome formation in plants and green algae
- Selective autophagy in plant stress response
- Mitochondrial dynamics and quality control
- Lipid transport and membrane biology
Unlike the typically networked mitochondria in mammals, plant mitochondria are often physically discrete. While wholesale degradation of an entire mitochondrion has been observed; under heat stress, mitochondria reshape into a swollen, network-like pattern. We uncovered that the plant-specific mitochondrial fission machinery mediates heat-induced "piecemeal mitophagy" for plants to cope with heat stress.
Mitochondrial dynamics and Quality Control
Mitochondrial dynamics and Quality Control
Further reading: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2504921122
Research highlight by Croucher Foundation: https://croucher.org.hk/en/news/how-plants-deal-with-heat-stress
CUHK press release: https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/en/press/cuhk-researchers-unlock-the-pathway-for-piecemeal-removal-of-plant-mitochondria-to-cope-with-heat-stress/
A membrane-less biomolecular condensate for plant autophagosome formation
A membrane-less biomolecular condensate for plant autophagosome formation
We recently identified an ER-associated condensate mediated by ERC1 for autophagosome initiation in plant cells. ERC1 interactome and functional analysis reveal an undescribed role of ERC1 in NBR1 turnover and heat stress recovery. This work unveils a biomolecular condensation–driven mechanism for plant autophagosome formation and sheds light on plant adaptation to heat stress.
Further reading: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2425689122
Research highlight by Nature Plants: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02191-7
CUHK press release: https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/en/press/cuhk-discovers-plant-unique-membrane-less-compartment-that-helps-resist-heat-stress/
Interested PhD and Postdoc candidates are encouraged to send an email to xhzhuang@cuhk.edu.hk, with the following information to explain why you are interested in joining our lab:
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