Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
10:25
High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Published on: August 13, 2016
11.3K
AtSEC22 Regulates Cell Morphogenesis via Affecting Cytoskeleton Organization and Stabilities
Li Guan1, Shurui Yang2, Shenglin Li1
1Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|June 21, 2021
Summary
The plant protein AtSEC22 is crucial for cell development. Its deficiency disrupts vesicle trafficking and cytoskeleton dynamics, leading to severe defects in plant morphogenesis and overall growth.
Area of Science:
- Plant cell biology
- Molecular plant science
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The plant cytoskeleton is vital for cell morphogenesis and vesicle trafficking.
- SNARE proteins, like vesicle-SNARE Sec22, mediate vesicle fusion.
- The role of Arabidopsis AtSEC22 in plant development remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the function of AtSEC22 in regulating plant development.
- To investigate the impact of AtSEC22 deficiency on cell morphogenesis and membrane trafficking.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and analysis of an AtSEC22 knock-down mutant (atsec22-4).
- Phenotypic characterization of the mutant, including root length, plant height, and organ morphology.
- Microscopic examination of cellular structures (ER, Golgi) and cytoskeleton organization.
Main Results:
- The atsec22-4 mutant displayed severe developmental defects: shorter roots, dwarfism, partial abortion, altered trichomes, and irregular stomata.
- Vesicle trafficking was blocked in atsec22-4, causing protein entrapment in the ER and ER/Golgi collapse.
- AtSEC22 deficiency led to impaired cytoskeleton organization and stability.
Conclusions:
- AtSEC22 plays essential roles in regulating membrane trafficking pathways in plants.
- AtSEC22 is critical for maintaining cytoskeleton dynamics and organization.
- Proper AtSEC22 function is indispensable for normal plant cell morphogenesis and development.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
5.1K
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
5.1K
02:17Microtubule Instability
5.5K
Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
5.5K
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
2.1K
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
2.1K
01:02Role of Septins
1.9K
Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
1.9K
01:16Cell Motility through Blebbing
2.2K
Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
2.2K
01:02Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition
2.7K
Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of...
2.7K