Chancellor's Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
Ph.D. Cellular and Developmental Biology Harvard University, 1991
Luan Laboratory studies how plants perceive and respond to environmental signals. Research effort is focused on calcium signaling mechanisms that entail "coding" of calcium signatures by calcium channels and "decoding" of calcium signatures by the CBL-CIPK network. Downstream of these early signaling events, plants respond and adapt to environmental changes by altering the biochemical processes including those at the plasma membrane, vacuolar membrane, and in the chloroplasts.
Signal Transduction Mechanisms in Plants
Specificity in cell signaling is paramount to plant responses to specific environmental changes. Although calcium is a ubiquitous messenger in plant responses to numerous signals, the mechanism of signal-response specificity remains unclear. Studies in the past four decades in both animal and plant cell models have established the "calcium signature" concept that depicts a specific calcium change in response to each specific signal. How is a calcium "signature" specified or encoded by the activities of large number of calcium transporters and channels working together is an exciting but challenging question to answer. Several studies in Luan lab represent breakthroughs in this area.
Mechanism of calcium oscillation during tip growth of pollen tube and root hair: Tip growth or polarized cell growth is a critical mechanism for guided elongation in pollen tube and root hair. Similar processes happen in other eukaryotic organisms such as fungal hyphae growth and axon guidance in animals. In all these guided growth processes, calcium oscillation is a key signal. The regularly paced cycling of ups and downs in calcium levels code for specific cues for the cell to grow in a particular direction (so-called guidance). How does calcium level in a cell oscillate regularly? What are the molecular machines that orchestrate such oscillations? Using pollen tube as a model, Luan lab discovered a molecular oscillator consisting of two CNGC calcium channel subunits and a calcium sensor (calmodulin). Such an oscillatory machine would activate or inactivate depending on the level of calcium. In other words, the opening and closing of the Ca-influx channel is "self-regulatory" and "self-sustained" (Pan et al., 2019, Dev Cell). Another CNGC channel is involved in Ca-oscillation in root hairs (Zhang et al., 2017, Mol Plant).
Mechanism of calcium spiking in pollen tube reception: After pollen tube arrives at the ovule, synergid cells in the ovule communicate with the pollen tube to coordinate cell death processes to release sperm cells and initiate fertilziation. This signaling process also involves calcium spiking. Recent work (Gao et al., 2022 Nature) discovered RALF peptides secreted from pollen tube as critical signals to bind receptors in the synergid cells that in turn recruit a calcium channel to initiate calcium spiking. The calcium channel is a member of the mildew resistance locus O (MLO) family that consist of proteins involved in mildew resistance, reproduction, and root mechanical sensing. Identification of MLOs as calcium channels builds a connection between RALF peptides to calcium signaling and will inspire study of calcium signaling in mildew resistance and root mechanical sensing. As MLOs are unique in plants, indicating unique calcium signaling mechanisms in this domain of life.
Mechanism of calcium spiking in plant innate immunity: In both plant and animal immune responses, calcium serves as a critical second messenger. In response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), calcium levels in plant cells rapidly increase to signal presence of pathogens. Plant cells then respond to the calcium signal by mounting a series of biochemical reactions to defend themselves against pathogen-induced damages. How is the PAMP-induced calcium signal produced? Luan lab identified a CNGC-type calcium channel that couples the pathogen pattern to Ca influx, bridging a critical gap in our knowledge on plant immune signaling. The CNGC channel is normally gated close by calmodulin and activated by the pattern-recognition receptor (PRR)-associated kinases (Tian et al., 2019, Nature). After Ca influx, excessive Ca must be removed from the cytoplasm to prevent toxicity and reset for future signaling. In this regard, Luan lab discovered a mechanism for the PTI signaling to activate vacuolar sequestration to deliver Ca into the vacuole (Wang et al., 2024, Nature).
Decoding of Calcium Signals by the CBL-CIPK NetworkAfter a calcium signature is produced by specific channels, plant cells must precisely interpret the calcium signal in order to respond correctly. This “decoding” process begins with a molecule that serve as a calcium sensor that usually specifically binds calcium and initiates conformational change, leading to further downstream responses. Luan lab discovered a family of plant-specific calcium sensors related to animal/fungal calcineurin B (thus referred to as CBLs; Kudla et al., 1999, PNAS) that bind calcium and further interact with a family of protein kinases (called CIPKs for CBL-Interacting Protein Kinases, Shi et al., 1999 Plant Cell). The 10 CBLs and 26 CIPKs in Arabidopsis constitute a large CBL-CIPK network for “decoding” of calcium signals in response to external signals. The functional specificity, synergism, and antagonism among various CBLs and CIPKs constitute a complex signaling network for cellular regulation and crosstalk (reviewed in Luan et al., 2009, COPB; Luan 2009, Trends Plant Sci., Tang and Luan, 2017, COPB; Tang et al 2020, Trends Plant Sci).
CBL-CIPK in the regulation of nutrient sensing and homeostasis: Plants are growing in a nutrient-poor environment especially after a long history of farming. Agricultural production is heavily relying on the application of chemical fertilizers, imposing a serious economic and environmental problem worldwide. One solution would be to breed crops that can tolerate low-nutrient soils to reduce the use of fertilizers. Work in Luan laboratory identified a CBL-CIPK signaling pathway that regulates the activity of a voltage-gated potassium channel involved in K-uptake in plant roots and another CBL-CIPK pathway for vacuolar K remobilization. Manipulation of CBL-CIPK network can potentially enhance the growth of plants under low-K soils, impacting agriculture and environment. (See Li et al., 2006, PNAS, Lee et al., 2007, PNAS; Tang et al 2020 Nature Plants). Furthermore, another CBL-CIPK network also regulates nutrient homeostasis through targeting transport processes across the tonoplast (vacuolar membrane). This mechanism is exemplified by high Mg-detoxification mediated by multiple CBL-CIPK complexes associated with tonoplast (Tang et al., 2012, Cell Res.; 2015, PNAS; Tang and Luan, 2017, COPB). The CBL-CIPK network has become a major signaling mechanism for the regulation of mineral nutrition by targeting transporters in various subcellular locations. Characterization of these transporters is also a primary area of research in Luan lab (Xu et al., 2019, Nature Plants; Zhang et al., 2018, Mol Plant; Wang et al., 2017, PLoS Biol.; Zhang et al., 2017, PNAS).CBL-CIPK in stress and ABA responses: Several CBL-CIPK pathways have been identified to function in plant responses to environmental stress conditions including salt, drought, and cold. CBL-CIPK network is also involved in the response to plant hormones such as ABA that regulates stress responses. The crosstalk and interaction among the CBLs and CIPKs form a complex signaling network that links environmental responses to biochemical processes in plant cells. (See Cheong et al., 2003, Plant Cell; Pandey et al., 2004, Plant Cell; Lee et al., 2009, PNAS; Maierhofer et al., 2014, Sci Signaling).
CBL-CIPK-CAX pathway in Ca homesotasis: Ca serves as a critical mineral nutrient and signal but can become toxic to plant cells. In particular, soil often contains mM levels of free Ca, 10,000X higher than the cytosolic level, risking an overload and cytotoxicity. Luan lab discovered an "auto-regulatory" mechanism by which the Ca sensing CBLs couple CIPKs that in turn phosphorylate and activate vacuolar CAX transporters to sequester excessive Ca into the vacuole, providing a guarding system to maintain cytosolic Ca homeostasis (Wang et al., 2024 Nature).
Integration of Peptide Hormones with Calcium SignalsPAMPs-triggered innate immunity (PTI) depends on calcium signaling (Tian et al., 2019, Nature). RALF signaling in pollen tube reception also depends on calcium signaling. (Gao et al., 2022, Nature). Both the PTI and pollen tube reception are initiated by peptides (flg22 or RALFs) that bind to the cell surface receptor kinases. There are hundreds of receptor like kinases in plants partnering with various ligands to respond to environmental signals. Activation of many of such receptor kinases by their ligands, like in the case of flg22-FLS2 and RALF-FER/LRE, is accompanied by production of calcium signals. Luan lab works on the mechanisms of peptide-receptor signaling and its integration with calcium signals. Several other studies are associated with this aspect of the research (Jing et al., 2019, Plant Cell; Zheng et al., 2018, Plant Cell; Li et al., 2018, PLoS Biol.; Chen et al., 2016, PNAS; Du et al., 2016, PNAS).
Representative Book
Coding and Decoding of Calcium Signals in Plants. Ed. S. Luan, Springer 2012
Google Scholar Index (all publications): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NckY6S4AAAAJ&hl=en
Recent Review Articles
Wang C, Luan S. (2024) Calcium homeostasis and signaling in plant immunity. Curr Opin Plant Biol. 77:102485. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102485.
Luan S and Wang C (2021) Calcium signaling mechanisms across kingdoms. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 37:311-340. doi: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120219-035210.
Tang RJ, Wang C, Li K, and Luan S (2020) The CBL-CIPK calcium signaling network: Unified themes from 20 years of discoveries. Trends in Plant Sci. 25(6):604-617.
Tian W, Wang C, Gao Q, Li LG, Luan S. (2020) Calcium spikes, waves, and oscillations: encoding mechanisms and functions in plant growth and defense. Nature Plants 6(7):750-759. doi: 10.1038/s41477-020-0667-6
Tang RJ, Luan S. (2017) Regulation of calcium and magnesium homeostasis in plants: from transporters to signaling network. Curr Opin Plant Biol. 39:97-105.
Representative Research Articles
Wang C, Tang RJ, Kou S, Xu X, Lu Y, Rauscher K, Voelker A, Luan S. (2024) Mechanisms of calcium homeostasis orchestrate plant growth and immunity. Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07100-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38418878.
Yan C, Gao Q, Yang M, Shao Q, Xu X, Zhang Y, Luan S. (2024) Ca2+/calmodulin-mediated desensitization of glutamate receptors shapes plant systemic wound signalling and anti-herbivore defence. Nat Plants. 10(1):145-160. doi: 10.1038/s41477-023-01578-8. Epub 2024 Jan 2. PMID: 38168609.
Li KL, Xue H, Tang RJ, Luan S. (2023) TORC pathway intersects with a calcium sensor kinase network to regulate potassium sensing in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 120(47):e2316011120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2316011120. Epub 2023 Nov 15. PMID: 37967217; PMCID: PMC10665801.
Li KL, Tang RJ, Wang C, Luan S. (2023) Potassium nutrient status drives posttranslational regulation of a low-K response network in Arabidopsis. Nat Commun. 14(1):360. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-35906-5. PMID: 36690625; PMCID: PMC9870859.
Liu B, Feng C, Fang X, Ma Z, Xiao C, Zhang S, Liu Z, Sun D, Shi H, Ding X, Qiu C, Li J, Luan S, Li L, He K. (2023) The anion channel SLAH3 interacts with potassium channels to regulate nitrogen-potassium homeostasis and the membrane potential in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell doi: 10.1093/plcell/koad014. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36653170.
Gao Q, Wang C, Xi Y, Shao Q, Hou C, Li L, Luan S. (2023) RALF signaling pathway activates MLO calcium channels to maintain pollen tube integrity. Cell Res. 33(1):71-79. doi: 10.1038/s41422-022-00754-3. Epub 2023 Jan 2. PMID: 36588121; PMCID: PMC9810639.
Luan M, Zhao F, Sun G, Xu M, Fu A, Lan W, Luan S. (2022) A SPX domain vacuolar transporter links phosphate sensing to homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Mol Plant. 15(10):1590-1601. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.09.005. Epub 2022 Sep 12. PMID: 36097639.
Fichman Y, Zandalinas SI, Peck S, Luan S, Mittler R. (2022) HPCA1 is required for systemic reactive oxygen species and calcium cell-to-cell signaling and plant acclimation to stress. Plant Cell 34(11):4453-4471. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koac241. PMID: 35929088; PMCID: PMC9724777.
Tang RJ, Yang Y, Yan YW, Mao DD, Yuan HM, Wang C, Zhao FG, Luan S. (2022) Two transporters mobilize magnesium from vacuolar stores to enable plant acclimation to magnesium deficiency. Plant Physiol. 190(2):1307-1320. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac330. PMID: 35809075; PMCID: PMC9516776.
Gao Q, Wang C, Xi Y, Shao Q, Li L, Luan S. (2022) A receptor-channel trio conducts Ca2+ signalling for pollen tube reception. Nature doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04923-7. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35794475.
Meng SF, Zhang B, Tang RJ, Zheng XJ, Chen R, Liu CG, Jing YP, Ge HM, Zhang C, Chu YL, Fu AG, Zhao FG, Luan S, Lan WZ. (2022) Four plasma membrane-localized MGR transporters mediate xylem Mg2+ loading for root-to-shoot Mg2+ translocation in Arabidopsis. Mol Plant 15(5):805-819. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.01.011. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PMID: 35063662.
Tang RJ, Meng SF, Zheng XJ, Zhang B, Yang Y, Wang C, Fu AG, Zhao FG, Lan WZ, Luan S. (2022) Conserved mechanism for vacuolar magnesium sequestration in yeast and plant cells. Nature Plants 8(2):181-190. doi: 10.1038/s41477-021-01087-6. Epub 2022 Jan 27. PMID: 35087208.
Ma B, Zhang L, Gao Q, Wang J, Li X, Wang H, Liu Y, Lin H, Liu J, Wang X, Li Q, Deng Y, Tang W, Luan S, He Z. (2021) A plasma membrane transporter coordinates phosphate reallocation and grain filling in cereals. Nature Genetics 53(6):906-915. doi: 10.1038/s41588-021-00855-6.
Wang X, Feng C, Tian L, Hou C, Tian W, Hu B, Zhang Q, Ren Z, Niu Q, Song J, Kong D, Liu L, He Y, Ma L, Chu C, Luan S, Li L. (2021) A transceptor-channel complex couples nitrate sensing to calcium signaling in Arabidopsis. Mol Plant. 14(5):774-786. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2021.02.005. Epub 2021 Feb 16. PMID: 33601051.
Tang R-J., Zhao FG, Wang C, Kleist T, Lemaux PG, Luan S. (2020) A calcium signaling network activates vacuolar remobilization to enable plant adaptation to low-K environment. Nature Plants 6(4):384-393
Shao Q, Q Gao, Lhamo D, Zhang H, Luan S (2020) Two glutamate-and pH-regulated Ca2+ channels are required for systemic wound signaling in Arabidopsis. Science Signaling 13 (640)
Tian W, Hou C, Ren Z, Wang C, Zhao F, Dahlbeck D, Hu S, Zhang L, Niu Q, Li L, Staskawicz B, Luan, S. (2019) A calmodulin-gated calcium channel links pathogen patterns to plant immunity. Nature 2019 Jul 17. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1413-y. [Epub ahead of print]
Jing Y, Zheng X, Zhang D, Shen N, Wang Y, Yang L, Fu A, Shi J, Zhao F, Lan W, Luan S. (2019) Danger-Associated Peptides Interact with PIN-Dependent Local Auxin Distribution to Inhibit Root Growth in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell doi: 10.1105/tpc.18.00757.
Xu L, Zhao H, Wan R, Liu Y, Xu Z, Tian W, Ruan W, Wang F, Deng M, Wang J, Dolan L, Luan S, Xue S, Yi K. (2019) Identification of vacuolar phosphate efflux transporters in land plants. Nature Plants 5(1):84-94. doi: 10.1038/s41477-018-0334-3.
Pan Y, Chai X, Gao Q, Zhou L, Zhang S, Li L, Luan S. (2019) Dynamic Interactions of Plant CNGC Subunits and Calmodulins Drive Oscillatory Ca2+ Channel Activities. Developmental Cell 48(5):710-725.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.12.025.
Li C, Liu X, Qiang X, Li X, Li X, Zhu S, Wang L, Wang Y, Liao H, Luan S, Yu F. (2018) EBP1 nuclear accumulation negatively feeds back on FERONIA-mediated RALF1 signaling. PLoS Biol. 16(10):e2006340. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006340.
Zhang B, Zhang C, Liu C, Jing Y, Wang Y, Jin L, Yang L, Fu A, Shi J, Zhao F, Lan W, Luan S. (2018) Inner Envelope CHLOROPLAST MANGANESE TRANSPORTER 1 Supports Manganese Homeostasis and Phototrophic Growth in Arabidopsis. Mol Plant 11(7):943-954. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2018.04.007.
Zheng X, Kang S, Jing Y, Ren Z, Li L, Zhou JM, Berkowitz G, Shi J, Fu A, Lan W, Zhao F, Luan S. (2018) Danger-Associated Peptides Close Stomata by OST1-Independent Activation of Anion Channels in Guard Cells. Plant Cell 30(5):1132-1146. doi: 10.1105/tpc.17.00701.
Wang Y, Yang L, Tang Y, Tang R, Jing Y, Zhang C, Zhang B, Li X, Cui Y, Zhang C, Shi J, Zhao F, Lan W, Luan S. (2017) Arabidopsis choline transporter-like 1 (CTL1) regulates secretory trafficking of auxin transporters to control seedling growth. PLoS Biol. 2017 Dec 28;15(12):e2004310. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2004310. eCollection 2017 Dec.Zhang S, Pan Y, Tian W, Dong M, Zhu H, Luan S, Li L. (2017) Arabidopsis CNGC14 Mediates Calcium Influx Required for Tip Growth in Root Hairs. Mol Plant 10(7):1004-1006. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2017.02.007.
Rosa M, Abraham-Juárez MJ, Lewis MW, Fonseca JP, Tian W, Ramirez V, Luan S, Pauly M, Hake S. (2017) The Maize MID-COMPLEMENTING ACTIVITY Homolog CELL NUMBER REGULATOR13/NARROW ODD DWARF Coordinates Organ Growth and Tissue Patterning. Plant Cell 29(3):474-490. doi: 10.1105/tpc.16.00878.
Zhang H, Zhao FG, Tang RJ, Yu Y, Song J, Wang Y, Li L, Luan S. (2017) Two tonoplast MATE proteins function as turgor-regulating chloride channels in <i>Arabidopsis</i>. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Feb 15. pii: 201616203. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1616203114.
Du C, Li X, Chen J, Chen W, Li B, Li C, Wang L, Li J, Zhao X, Lin J, Liu X, Luan S, Yu F. (2016) Receptor kinase complex transmits RALF peptide signal to inhibit root growth in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Dec 20;113(51):E8326-E8334.
Chen J, Yu F, Liu Y, Du C, Li X, Zhu S, Wang X, Lan W, Rodriguez PL, Liu X, Li D, Chen L, Luan S. (2016) FERONIA interacts with ABI2-type phosphatases to facilitate signaling cross-talk between abscisic acid and RALF peptide in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Sep 13;113(37):E5519-27. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1608449113.
Liu J, Yang L, Luan M, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhang B, Shi J, Zhao FG, Lan W, Luan S. (2015) A vacuolar phosphate transporter essential for phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Nov 24;112(47):E6571-8.
Tang RJ, Zhao FG, Garcia VJ, Kleist TJ, Yang L, Zhang HX, Luan S. (2015) Tonoplast CBL-CIPK calcium signaling network regulates magnesium homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 112(10):3134-9.
Hou X, Fu A, Garcia VJ, Buchanan BB, Luan S. (2015) PSB27: A thylakoid protein enabling Arabidopsis to adapt to changing light intensity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 112(5):1613-8.
Tian W, Hou C, Ren Z, Pan Y, Jia J, Zhang H, Bai F, Zhang P, Zhu H, He Y, Luo S, Li L, Luan S. (2015) A molecular pathway for CO₂ response in Arabidopsis guard cells. Nat Commun. 20;6:6057. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7057.
Maierhofer T, Diekmann M, Offenborn JN, Lind C, Bauer H, Hashimoto K, S Al-Rasheid KA, Luan S, Kudla J, Geiger D, Hedrich R. (2014) Site- and kinase-specific phosphorylation-mediated activation of SLAC1, a guard cell anion channel stimulated by abscisic acid. Sci Signal. 9;7(342):ra86.
Mao D, Chen J, Tian L, Liu Z, Yang L, Tang R, Li J, Lu C, Yang Y, Shi J, Chen L, Li D, Luan S (2014) Arabidopsis Transporter MGT6 Mediates Magnesium Uptake and Is Required for Growth under Magnesium Limitation. Plant Cell 26(5):2234-2248.
Hou C, Tian W, Kleist T, He K, Garcia V, Bai F, Hao Y, Luan S, Li L (2014) DUF221 proteins are a family of osmosensitive calcium-permeable cation channels conserved across eukaryotes. Cell Res. 24(5):632-5.
Zhou L, Lan W, Jiang Y, Fang W, Luan S (2014) A calcium-dependent protein kinase interacts with and activates a calcium channel to regulate pollen tube growth. Mol Plant. 7(2):369-76.
Che Y, Fu A, Hou X, McDonald K, Buchanan BB, Huang W, Luan S (2013) C-terminal processing of reaction center protein D1 is essential for the function and assembly of photosystem II in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110(40):16247-52.
Liu X, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Feng Z, Li Q, Yang HQ, Luan S, Li J, He ZH (2013) Auxin controls seed dormancy through stimulation of abscisic acid signaling by inducing ARF-mediated ABI3 activation in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110(38):15485-90.
Park SW, Li W, Viehhauser A, He B, Kim S, Nilsson AK, Andersson MX, Kittle JD, Ambavaram MM, Luan S, Esker AR, Tholl D, Cimini D, Ellerström M, Coaker G, Mitchell TK, Pereira A, Dietz KJ, Lawrence CB (2013) Cyclophilin 20-3 relays a 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid signal during stress responsive regulation of cellular redox homeostasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110(23):9559-64.
Lee SC, Lim CW, Lan W, He K, Luan S. (2013) ABA signaling in guard cells entails a dynamic protein-protein interaction relay from the PYL-RCAR family receptors to ion channels. Mol Plant. 6(2):528-38.
Tang RJ, Liu H, Yang Y, Yang L, Gao XS, Garcia VJ, Luan S, Zhang HX (2012) Tonoplast calcium sensors CBL2 and CBL3 control plant growth and ion homeostasis through regulating V-ATPase activity in Arabidopsis. Cell Res. 2012 Dec;22(12):1650-65.
Yu F, Qian L, Nibau C, Duan Q, Kita D, Levasseur K, Li X, Lu C, Li H, Hou C, Li L, Buchanan BB, Chen L, Cheung AY, Li D, Luan S. (2012) FERONIA receptor kinase pathway suppresses abscisic acid signaling in Arabidopsis by activating ABI2 phosphatase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 109(36):14693-8.
Meng L, Buchanan BB, Feldman LJ, Luan S. (2012) CLE-like (CLEL) peptides control the pattern of root growth and lateral root development in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 109, 1760-5.
Batistic, O., Kim, K-N., Kleist, T., Kudla, J., Luan, S. (2011) The CBL-CIPK signaling network in plants. Book Chapter in “Coding and Decoding of Calcium Signals in Plants”. Edited by S. Luan, Springer Publishing Inc.
Li H, Luan S. (2010) P53 is a histone chaperone required for repression of ribosomal RNA gene expression in Arabidopsis. Cell Res. 20, 357-66.
Lan, W., Wang, W., Buchanan, BB. and Luan, S. (2010) A Rice HKT-type transporter conceals a calcium-permeable cation channel. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 107, 7089-94.
Yu F, Shi J, Zhou J, Gu J, Chen Q, Li J, Cheng W, Mao D, Tian L, Buchanan BB, Li L, Chen L, Li D, Luan S. (2010) ANK6, a mitochondrial ankyrin repeat protein, is required for male-female gamete recognition in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 107, 22332-7.
Wu, W-H., Wang, Y., Lee, S.C., Lan, W., Luan, S. (2010) Regulation of ion channels by the calcium signaling network in plant cells. Book Chapter in “Ion Channels and Plant Stress Responses” Book edited by V. Demidchik and F. Maathuis; Springer Publishing Inc.
Chae, L., Cheong, Y., Kim, K., Pandey, G., Luan, S. (2010) Protein kinases and phosphatases in abiotic stress responses in plants. Book Chapter in “Abiotic Stress Adaptation in Plants” Book edited by Pareek, et al. Springer Publishing Inc.
Sun SY, Chao DY, Li XM, Shi M, Gao JP, Zhu MZ, Yang HQ, Luan S, Lin HX (2009) OsHAL3 mediates a new pathway in the light-regulated growth of rice. Nat Cell Biol. 11, 845-51.
Luan, S. (2009) The CBL-CIPK network in plant calcium signaling. Trends in Plant Sci. 14(1):37-42.
Luan, S., Lan, W., and S-C, Lee (2009) Potassium nutrition, sodium toxicity, and calcium signaling: connections through the CBL-CIPK network. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 12, 339-346.
Lee, S., Lan, W., Buchanan, BB, Luan, S. (2009) Protein kinase and phosphatase pair interacts with an ion channel to regulate ABA signaling in plant guard cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 106, 21419-24.
Luan, S. (2008) Paradigms and networks for intracellular calcium signaling in plants. Book Chapter in Annual Plant Reviews, vol 33 “Intracellular Signaling in Plants”. Ed. Z. Yang, Wiley-Blackwell.
Dominguez-Solis JR, He Z, Lima A, Ting J, Buchanan BB, Luan S. (2008) A cyclophilin links redox and light signals to cysteine biosynthesis and stress responses in chloroplasts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105(42):16386-91. Epub 2008 Oct 9. Abstract
Li L, Liu K, Hu Y, Li D, Luan S. (2008) Single mutations convert an outward K+ channel into an inward K+ channel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105(8):2871-6. Epub 2008 Feb 19. Abstract
Chen X, Lin WH, Wang Y, Luan S, Xue HW. (2008) An inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase functions in PHOTOTROPIN1 signaling in Arabidopis by altering cytosolic Ca2+. Plant Cell 20(2):353-66. Epub 2008 Feb 5. Abstract
Li H, He Z, Lu G, Lee SC, Alonso J, Ecker JR, Luan, S. (2007) A WD40 Domain Cyclophilin Interacts with Histone H3 and Functions in Gene Repression and Organogenesis in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 19, 2403-2416.
Pandey GK, Cheong YH, Kim BG, Grant JJ, Li L, Luan, S. (2007) CIPK9: a calcium sensor-interacting protein kinase required for low-potassium tolerance in Arabidopsis. Cell Res. 17, 411-421. Abstract
Fu A, He Z, Cho HS, Lima A, Buchanan BB, Luan S. (2007) A chloroplast cyclophilin functions in the assembly and maintenance of photosystem II in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104, 15947-15952. Abstract
Cheong YH, Pandey GK, Grant JJ, Batistic O, Li L, Kim BG, Lee SC, Kudla J, Luan S. (2007) Two calcineurin B-like calcium sensors, interacting with protein kinase CIPK23, regulate leaf transpiration and root potassium uptake in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 52, 223-239. Abstract
Lee SC, Lan WZ, Kim BG, Li L, Cheong YH, Pandey GK, Lu G, Buchanan BB, Luan S. (2007) A protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation network regulates a plant potassium channel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104, 15959-15964. Abstract
Liu, K., Li, L., Luan, S. (2006) Intracellular potassium sensing of SKOR, a shaker-type K-channel from Arabidopsis. Plant J. 46, 260-268.
Sokolov, L., Allery, A., Buchanan, B.B., and Luan, S. (2006) A redox-regulated chloroplast protein phosphatase binds to starch diurnally and functions in its accumulation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 103, 9732-9737.
Li, L., Kim, B., Cheong, Y., Pandey, G., and Luan, S. (2006) A calcium signaling pathway regulates a potassium channel for low-potassium response in Arabidopsis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 103:12625-30.
Lima A, Lima S, Wong JH, Phillips RS, Buchanan BB, Luan S. (2006) A redox-active FKBP-type immunophilin functions in accumulation of the photosystem II supercomplex in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103:12631-6.
Ren ZH, Gao JP, Li LG, Cai XL, Huang W, Chao DY, Zhu MZ, Wang ZY, Luan S*, Lin HX*. (2005) A rice quantitative trait locus for salt tolerance encodes a sodium transporter. Nature Genetics 37, 1141-1146. (News and Views on page 1029-1030, *corresponding author).
Romano P, Gray J, Horton P, Luan S. (2005) Plant immunophilins: functional versatility beyond protein maturation. (Tanksley Review) New Phytol. 166, 753-69.
Gopalan G, He Z, Balmer Y, Romano P, Gupta R, Heroux A, Buchanan BB, Swaminathan K, Luan S. (2004) Structural analysis uncovers a role for redox in regulating FKBP13, an immunophilin of the chloroplast thylakoid lumen. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101, 13945-50.
Pandey, G., Cheong, Y., Kim, N., Luan, S. (2004) Calcium sensor calcineurin B-like 9 modulates sensitivityand biosynthesis of ABA in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 16, 1912-1924.
Kim, K., Cheong, Y., Grant, J., Pandey, G., and Luan, S. (2003) CIPK3, a calcium sensor-associated protein kinase that regulates abscisic acid and cold signal transduction in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 15, 411-423.
Luan, S. (2003) Protein phosphatases in plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 54, 69-90.
Kim, K., Cheong, Y., Grant, J., Pandey, G., and Luan, S. (2003) CIPK3, a calcium sensor-associated protein kinase that regulates abscisic acid and cold signal transduction in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 15, 411-423. [Abstract | PDF]
Cheong, Y., Kim, K., Pandey, G.K., Gupta, R., Grant, J., and Luan, S. (2003) CBL1, a Calcium Sensor That Differentially Regulates Salt, Drought, and Cold Responses in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 15, 1833-1845. [Abstract | PDF]
Gupta, R., Mould, R., and Luan, S. (2002) A chloroplast FKBP interact and regulates the accumulation of Rieske subunit of cytochrome b/f complex in photosynthetic electron transport. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 15806-15811. [Abstract | PDF]
Gupta, R., Ting, T., Sokolov, L., Johnson, S.J., and Luan, S. (2002) AtPTEN1, a tumor suppressor homologue essential for pollen development in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 14, 2495--2507. [Abstract | PDF]
Gupta, R., He, Z., and Luan, S. (2002) Functional relationship of cytochrome c6 and plastocyanin in Arabidopsis. Nature 417, 567-571. [Abstract | PDF]
Chen W, Provart NJ, Glazebrook J, Katagiri F, Chang H, Eulgem T, Mauch F, Luan S, et al. and Zhu T. (2002). Expression Profile Matrix of Arabidopsis Transcription Factor Genes Suggests Their Putative Functions in Response to Environmental Stresses. Plant Cell 14, 559-574. [Abstract | PDF | Supplemental data]
Li L, Tutone AF, Drummond RS, Gardner RC, and Luan S. (2001) A novel family of magnesium transport genes in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 13, 2761-2775. [Abstract | PDF]
Liu, K., and Luan, S. (2001) Internal Aluminum Block of Plant Inward K+ Channels. Plant Cell 13, 1453-1465.[PDF]
Shi, J., Kim, N., Gupta, R., Luan, S.*, and Kudla, J. (1999) Novel protein kinases as common targets for Arabidopsis calcineurin B-like Ca2+ sensors. Plant Cell 11, 2393-2406. *corresponding author
Kudla, J., Xu, Q., Harter, K., Gruissem, W. and Luan, S. (1999) Genes for calcineurin B-like proteins in Arabidopsis are differentially regulated by stress signals. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 4718-4723. (Accompanied by a PNAS Editorial Commentary: How Plants Learn. PNAS 96, 4216-4218).
Liu, K. and Luan, S. (1998) Voltage-dependent K+ channels as targets for osmosensing in guard cells. Plant Cell 10, 1957-1970.
Xu, Q., Fu, H., Gupta, R. and Luan, S. (1998) Characterization of a protein tyrosine phosphatase encoded by a stress-responsive gene in Arabidopsis . Plant Cell 10, 849-858.
Fu, H. and Luan, S. (1998) AtKUP1: a dual-affinity K+ transporter from Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 10, 63-73.
Luan, S.*, Kudla, J., Gruissem, W. and Schreiber, S.L. (1996) Molecular characterization of a FKBP-type immunophilin from higher plants. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 6964-6969. *corresponding author
Luan, S., and Schreiber, S.L. (1994) pCyP B: a chloroplast-localized, heat shockresponsive cyclophilin from fava bean. Plant Cell 6, 885-892.
Luan, S., Albers, M.W., and Schreiber, S.L. (1994) Light-regulated, tissue-specific immunophilins in a higher plant. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 984-988.
Luan, S., Li, W., Rusnak, F., Assmann, S.M. and Schreiber, S.L. (1993) Immunosuppressants implicate protein phosphatase-regulation of K+ channels in guard cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 2202-2206. (Accompanied by a PNAS Editorial Commentary PNAS 90, 3125-3126).
150L - Laboratory for Plant Cell Biology
150 - Plant Cell Biology
H196 - Honors Research
200D - Plant Cell Biology
299 - Graduate Research
Honors & Awards
Chancellor's Professorship, UC Berkeley, 2022-2025
Highly Cited Researcher (Plant and Animal Sciences, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) Web of Science, Clarivate
ASPB Fellow Award, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2020
International Fellow Award, Indian Society of Plant Physiologists, 2015
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2012
Senior Research Award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany 2008
Charles Albert Shull Award, American Society of Plant Biologists 2008
Honorary Scientist, Rural Development Agency, South Korea 2005
Sheng Luan
Berkeley, California 94720