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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta
Published on: August 15, 2017
Heavy Metal-Associated Isoprenylated Plant Proteins (HIPPs) at Plasmodesmata: Exploring the Link between Localization
Zoe Kathleen Barr1,2, Tomáš Werner3, Jens Tilsner1,2
1Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, BMS Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK.
Abstract:
Heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant proteins (HIPPs) are a metallochaperone-like protein family comprising a combination of structural features unique to vascular plants. HIPPs possess both one or two heavy metal-binding domains and an isoprenylation site, facilitating a posttranslational protein lipid modification. Recent work has characterized individual HIPPs across numerous different species and provided evidence for varied functionalities. Interestingly, a significant number of HIPPs have been identified in proteomes of plasmodesmata (PD)-nanochannels mediating symplastic connectivity within plant tissues that play pivotal roles in intercellular communication during plant development as well as responses to biotic and abiotic stress. As characterized functions of many HIPPs are linked to stress responses, plasmodesmal HIPP proteins are potentially interesting candidate components of signaling events at or for the regulation of PD. Here, we review what is known about PD-localized HIPP proteins specifically, and how the structure and function of HIPPs more generally could link to known properties and regulation of PD.
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