A wound-inducible organelle derived from endoplasmic reticulum: a plant strategy against environmental stresses?

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most multitalented and adaptable compartment in plant cells. Recently, a wound-inducible organelle, which is derived from ER and designated the ER body, was found in Arabidopsis. Wounding and methyl jasmonate induce many ER bodies in rosette leaves, which have no ER bodies under normal conditions. In contrast, tender seedlings have a wide distribution of the ER bodies especially in all the epidermal cells, which are easily stressed by the external environment. The ER bodies play a role in a novel and unique type of endomembrane system that is involved in the response of plant cells to environmental stress and wounding.