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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Published on: September 22, 2023

Spatial transcriptomics uncover sucrose post-phloem transport during maize kernel development.

Yuxin Fu^1,2,3, Wenxin Xiao¹, Lang Tian¹

¹College of Life Science, Shanghai Normal University, 100 Guilin Road, Shanghai, 200233, China.

Nature Communications

|November 8, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study maps gene expression in maize kernels, identifying cell populations and genes controlling starch, protein, and oil storage. These findings enhance understanding of maize kernel development and agronomic traits.

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025

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Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Genomics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Maize kernels are complex structures with multiple genetic origins.
Limited spatial gene expression data hinders understanding of cell-specific functions and gene discovery in maize.

Purpose of the Study:

To map spatial gene expression profiles within maize kernels during grain filling.
To identify distinct cell populations and molecular markers.
To elucidate spatial storage mechanisms for starch, protein, and oil.

Main Methods:

Microscopic sectioning of maize kernels.
Spatial transcriptomics analysis.
Electronical RNA in situ hybridization for gene expression visualization.

Main Results:

Identification of 11 distinct cell populations within the maize kernel.
Discovery of 332 molecular marker genes.
Systematic elucidation of spatial storage mechanisms for starch, protein, and oil.

Conclusions:

Provides a high-resolution spatial map of gene expression in maize kernels.
Identifies key genes and cell populations involved in kernel development and substance storage.
Offers insights into functional genes controlling important agronomic traits in maize.