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Plasmodesmata

Plasmodesmata

The organs in a multicellular organism’s body are made up of tissues formed by cells. To work together cohesively, cells must communicate. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells alike. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal...

Plasmodesmata

Plasmodesmata

In a multicellular organism, cells must communicate to work together in a coordinated manner. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...

The Apoplast and Symplast

The Apoplast and Symplast

Plant growth depends on its ability to take up water and dissolved minerals from the soil. The root system of every plant is equipped with the necessary tissues to facilitate the entry of water and solutes. The plant tissues involved in the transport of water and minerals have two major compartments - the apoplast and the symplast. The apoplast includes everything outside the plasma membrane of living cells and consists of cell walls, extracellular spaces, xylem, phloem, and tracheids. The...

The Phragmoplast

The Phragmoplast

Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...

The Phragmoplast

The Phragmoplast

Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Protein Sorting to Plasmodesmata in Nicotiana benthamiana

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Protein Sorting to Plasmodesmata in Nicotiana benthamiana

Published on: November 1, 2024

Plasmodesmata: structure, function and biogenesis.

Andrew J Maule¹

¹John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK. andy.maule@bbsrc.ac.uk

Current Opinion in Plant Biology

|October 1, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Plasmodesmata are vital plant cell conduits for molecule exchange, crucial for growth and defense. Recent strategies are beginning to unravel the molecular composition and function of these enigmatic structures.

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Last Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Protein Sorting to Plasmodesmata in Nicotiana benthamiana

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Published on: November 1, 2024

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta

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Shootward Movement of CFDA Tracer Loaded in the Bottom Sink Tissues of Arabidopsis

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Published on: May 11, 2019

Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

Plasmodesmata are essential intercellular channels in plants.
They facilitate the transport of molecules, influencing growth, development, and defense.
Understanding their precise composition and function remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the current understanding of plasmodesmata.
To highlight recent advancements in dissecting plasmodesmal composition and function.
To provide insight into future research directions for these plant cell structures.

Main Methods:

Molecular dissection strategies have been employed.
Analysis of plasmodesmal composition.
Investigation of plasmodesmal function.

Main Results:

Emerging strategies are enabling a detailed molecular understanding of plasmodesmata.
The role of plasmodesmata in plant processes is becoming clearer.
Significant progress is being made in characterizing these structures.

Conclusions:

Plasmodesmata are key to plant life, facilitating intercellular communication.
Recent molecular approaches are crucial for understanding plasmodesmata.
Future research will continue to elucidate the mysteries of plasmodesmata.