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Amino acid transporters mediate autonomous delivery of nanoparticle vehicles into living plants

Author

Listed:
  • Xue Xia

    (Henan University
    Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Jiawei Dong

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Aijie Li

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Yanlin Wang

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Yang Liu

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Yingfang Zhu

    (Henan University)

  • Liang Xu

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Zhiyang Jing

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Jing Wang

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Yan Zou

    (Henan University
    Henan University
    University of Technology Sydney)

  • Shiyong Sun

    (Henan University)

  • Lu Wang

    (University of Newcastle)

  • Yiqing Lu

    (Henan University
    Macquarie University)

  • Alex Soeriyadi

    (Agnetic Bio Innovation)

  • Xuelu Wang

    (Henan University)

  • John W. Patrick

    (University of Newcastle)

  • Christina E. Offler

    (University of Newcastle)

  • Meng Zheng

    (Henan University
    Henan University)

  • Chun-Peng Song

    (Henan University)

  • Bingyang Shi

    (Henan University
    University of Technology Sydney)

Abstract

Presence of the cell wall and the lack of streamlined pathways for cellular delivery of external agents into plants is a core challenge of plant biotechnology and crop engineering development. However, both viral and bacterial transmission have their own restrictions and the few non-heavy metal nanodelivery platforms require external forces for tissue penetration. Such dependency limits any high-throughput application considering the large plant numbers to be treated in the field or even laboratory exercises. Herein, we demonstrate Aspartic acid (Asp) decorated poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (Asp-PEG-PDPA) copolymers assembled micelles (Asp/PDPA-NP), a platform that utilises amino acid transporters (AtAAP1 and AtLHT1) as receptors for clathrin-dependent endocytosis, freely translocate to release loaded cargo into various plant tissue/cell types in a species-independent manner within ≤10 minutes through simple spray or co-culture. As proof-of-concept, abscisic acid (ABA)-loaded Asp/PDPA-NP was tested for its efficacy to confer plant drought resistance. Asp/PDPA-NP@ABA reduced the effective ABA dose down to 1 nM (one million-fold) and elicited anti-drought potency in representative eudicot (soybean) and monocot (maize) crop species. Owing to its delivery efficiency, Asp/PDPA-NP holds promise as a potent carrier for diverse chemicals and biomolecules in plant systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue Xia & Jiawei Dong & Aijie Li & Yanlin Wang & Yang Liu & Yingfang Zhu & Liang Xu & Zhiyang Jing & Jing Wang & Yan Zou & Shiyong Sun & Lu Wang & Yiqing Lu & Alex Soeriyadi & Xuelu Wang & John W. Pat, 2025. "Amino acid transporters mediate autonomous delivery of nanoparticle vehicles into living plants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60829-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60829-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Neil Savage, 2022. "Improving crop resilience with nanoparticles," Nature, Nature, vol. 608(7922), pages 16-17, August.
    2. Min-Jie Cao & Yu-Lu Zhang & Xue Liu & Huan Huang & X. Edward Zhou & Wen-Long Wang & Ai Zeng & Chun-Zhao Zhao & Tong Si & Jiamu Du & Wen-Wu Wu & Fu-Xing Wang & H. Eric Xu & Jian-Kang Zhu, 2017. "Combining chemical and genetic approaches to increase drought resistance in plants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Julia Bailey-Serres & Jane E. Parker & Elizabeth A. Ainsworth & Giles E. D. Oldroyd & Julian I. Schroeder, 2019. "Genetic strategies for improving crop yields," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7781), pages 109-118, November.
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