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Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta
Published on: August 15, 2017
The cytoskeleton in plasmodesmata: a role in intercellular transport?
Rosemary G White1, Deborah A Barton
1Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Division of Plant Industry, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. rosemary.white@csiro.au
Journal of Experimental Botany
|August 25, 2011
Summary
Plant cell cytoskeleton components, actin and myosin, regulate transport through plasmodesmata (PD). Their interaction with cargo and PD structure influences cell-to-cell communication and viral movement.
Area of Science:
- Plant cell biology
- Cytoskeleton dynamics
- Intercellular transport
Background:
- Actin and myosin are plant cell cytoskeleton components found at plasmodesmata (PD).
- Previous studies localized actin and myosin to PD using electron microscopy and immunofluorescence.
- Recent research tagged plant myosin VIII with GFP, locating it at PD-rich pitfields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the organization and regulatory role of actin and myosin within the PD cytoplasmic sleeve.
- To explore how cytoskeleton disrupters affect PD conformation and cell-to-cell transport rates.
- To understand the interaction of the cytoskeleton with viral transport through PD.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy to localize actin and myosin at PD.
- Use of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged plant myosin VIII.
- Application of actin and myosin disrupters to observe effects on PD permeability and transport.
Main Results:
- Actin and myosin disrupters can alter PD conformation and cell-to-cell transport rates.
- Evidence suggests differentiation between PD types in response to cytoskeleton disrupters.
- Viruses utilize cytoskeleton elements for intracellular and intercellular transport.
Conclusions:
- Actin and myosin-associated proteins play a crucial role in regulating cell-to-cell transport via PD.
- These proteins likely interact with cargo, facilitating its loading into PD.
- The cytoskeleton's function in PD may vary with cell development, tissue type, and individual PD.
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