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Plants survive in ever-changing environments by tightly regulating protein degradation and trafficking. Central to this process are TOM1-like (TOL) proteins, which substitute for the missing ESCRT-0 complex in plants. Acting as key cargo selectors, TOLs link ubiquitin recognition with diverse trafficking pathways—including vacuolar degradation, exocytosis, and autophagy. Our work reveals that distinct TOL proteins not only safeguard cellular homeostasis but also integrate environmental signals such as drought, ABA, and high temperature. Strikingly, different combinations of tol mutant plant lines show defects in growth and stress adaptation, pointing to specialized roles in hormonal crosstalk and selective degradation pathways. Using genetics, biochemistry, and advanced imaging, we aim to decode how individual TOLs orchestrate endosomal
trafficking and contribute to plant resilience. By uncovering their functional diversity, we hope to open new strategies for strengthening crops against climate stress.
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