Molecular encounters at microtubule ends in the plant cell cortex

The cortical arrays that accompany plant cell division and elongation are organized by a subtle interplay between intrinsic properties of microtubules, their self-organization capacity and a variety of cellular proteins that interact with them, modify their behaviour and drive organization of diverse, higher order arrays during the cell cycle, cell growth and differentiation. As a polar polymer, the microtubule has a minus and a plus end, which differ in structure and dynamic characteristics, and to which different sets of partners and activities associate. Recent advances in characterization of minus and plus end directed proteins provide insights into both plant microtubule properties and the way highly organized cortical arrays emerge from the orchestrated activity of individual microtubules.