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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Live Imaging of Microtubule Dynamics in Glioblastoma Cells Invading the Zebrafish Brain
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Microtubule dynamics modulate sensing during cold acclimation in grapevine suspension cells
Lixin Wang1, Ehsan Sadeghnezhad2, Michael Riemann3
1Molecular Cell Biology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany; Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei, China.
Summary
Cold acclimation in crops is improved by understanding how chilling stress affects microtubules and CBF4 gene expression. Microtubule dynamics influence calcium signaling, leading to cold tolerance and potential for breeding. Keywords: cold acclimation, crop resilience, CBF4, microtubules, calcium signaling.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Cold acclimation is crucial for preventing cold-induced damage in crops.
- Efficient cold acclimation depends on effective perception and processing of chilling stress.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance is vital for crop improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microtubules in cold acclimation using a transgenic V. rupestris cell line.
- To correlate microtubule dynamics with the expression of the Cold Box Factor 4 (CBF4) transcription factor.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in cold-induced CBF4 expression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transgenic V. rupestris cell line expressing GFP-labelled tubulin to visualize microtubules.
- Applied cold stress and microtubule-modulating agents (taxol, pronamide) to study cold acclimation.
- Measured CBF4 expression as a molecular indicator of cold response.
- Conducted inhibitor studies to identify signaling components, including calcium influx.
- Screened V. sylvestris populations for genetic variation in CBF4 induction.
Main Results:
- Chilling stress induced cold tolerance and increased CBF4 expression.
- Cold acclimation was achieved by stabilizing or transiently eliminating microtubules, independent of cold.
- Transcriptional activation of CBF4 was linked to calcium influx.
- Identified genetic variation in CBF4 induction within V. sylvestris, suggesting breeding potential.
Conclusions:
- Microtubule dynamics play a key role in regulating cold-induced calcium influx and CBF4 expression.
- A working model suggests microtubule dynamics control cold-induced calcium signaling, leading to CBF4 induction and cold hardening.
- Findings provide insights into genetic variation for cold adaptability, valuable for crop breeding.
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