Insect haptoelectrical stimulation of Venus flytrap triggers exocytosis in gland cells

Significance The Venus flytrap has been in the focus of scientists since Darwin’s time. Carnivorous plants, with their specialized lifestyle, including insect capture, as well as digestion and absorption of prey, developed unique tools to gain scarce nutrients. In this study, we describe mechanistic insights into the cascade of events following the capture of insect prey. Action potentials evoked by the struggling prey are translated into touch-inducible hormone signals that promote the formation of secretory vesicles. Different varieties of digestive compounds are released sequentially into the flytrap’s “green stomach” and break down the captured animal. Amperometry provides insight into the kinetics and chemistry of the stimulus-coupled glandular secretion process.