Heat-triggered lipid flipping by OsALA5 stabilizes rice plasma membranes
Rice uses a rapid, transporter-level response to heat: the plasma membrane P4-ATPase OsALA5, with its β-subunit OsALIS2, increases transport of saturated phosphatidylcholine to the cytoplasmic leaflet within minutes of heat exposure, stabilizing membrane fluidity and reducing ion leakage and cell death. This heat-induced, leaflet-specific redistribution occurs without changes in OsALA5 expression and is conserved in Arabidopsis and yeast. A rare OsALA5 haplotype ( Hap7 ) enhances heat tolerance and yields across multi-year field trials, highlighting a practical breeding target for heat-resilient crops.
