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Phloem and Sugar Transport

Phloem and Sugar Transport

Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.

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...

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.

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.

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 5, 2025

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

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

Published on: May 11, 2019

A Dof-CLE circuit controls phloem organization.

Pingping Qian¹, Wen Song^2,3,4,5, Miki Zaizen-Iida^6,7

¹Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan. qianpp2013@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp.

|July 11, 2022

Summary

Dof transcription factors drive phloem cell differentiation but also induce CLE peptides to limit overgrowth. This feedback loop ensures proper phloem development by balancing cell formation and regulation.

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Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Developmental Biology
Molecular Genetics

Background:

The phloem, crucial for nutrient transport, comprises sieve elements (SEs) and companion cells (CCs).
Understanding the genetic regulation of phloem development is key to plant physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of Dof-class transcription factors in phloem development.
To investigate the regulatory mechanisms controlling SE and CC differentiation and their potential feedback loops.

Main Methods:

Analysis of Dof transcription factor expression and function in phloem.
Investigating the interaction between Dof factors, CLE peptides, BAM receptors, and CIK co-receptors.
Mutational analysis of CLE, BAM, and CIK genes to observe effects on SE/CC formation.

Main Results:

Dof transcription factors are essential and sufficient for SE and CC differentiation.
Dof factors induce CLE peptides (CLE25, CLE26, CLE45), which are perceived by BAM/CIK receptors.
CLE peptides negatively regulate phloem development by reducing Dof protein levels and repressing SE/CC formation.
Mutations in CLE, BAM, or CIK genes lead to ectopic SE/CC formation, forming clusters.
Phloem precursor cells overcome CLE-mediated inhibition by upregulating Dof production via positive feedback.

Conclusions:

Phloem Dof transcription factors initiate phloem cell formation while simultaneously inducing CLE peptides to prevent excessive development.
A negative feedback loop involving Dof factors and CLE peptides, mediated by BAM/CIK receptors, precisely controls phloem cell production.
This regulatory mechanism ensures normal phloem patterning and prevents the formation of supernumerary sieve elements and companion cells.