scholarly journals Intercellular trafficking via plasmodesmata: molecular layers of complexity

Author(s):  
Ziqiang Patrick Li ◽  
Andrea Paterlini ◽  
Marie Glavier ◽  
Emmanuelle M. Bayer

Abstract Plasmodesmata are intercellular pores connecting together most plant cells. These structures consist of a central constricted form of the endoplasmic reticulum, encircled by some cytoplasmic space, in turn delimited by the plasma membrane, itself ultimately surrounded by the cell wall. The presence and structure of plasmodesmata create multiple routes for intercellular trafficking of a large spectrum of molecules (encompassing RNAs, proteins, hormones and metabolites) and also enable local signalling events. Movement across plasmodesmata is finely controlled in order to balance processes requiring communication with those necessitating symplastic isolation. Here, we describe the identities and roles of the molecular components (specific sets of lipids, proteins and wall polysaccharides) that shape and define plasmodesmata structural and functional domains. We highlight the extensive and dynamic interactions that exist between the plasma/endoplasmic reticulum membranes, cytoplasm and cell wall domains, binding them together to effectively define plasmodesmata shapes and purposes.

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Kang Zhu ◽  
Jun Shi ◽  
Utpal Singh ◽  
Sarah E. Wyatt ◽  
Ray A. Bressan ◽  
...  

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Boal

Despite a variety of shapes and sizes, the generic mechanical structure of cells is remarkably similar from one cell type to the next. All cells are bounded by a plasma membrane, a fluid sheet that controls the passage of materials into and out of the cell. Plant cells and bacteria reinforce this membrane with a cell wall, permitting the cell to operate at an elevated osmotic pressure. Simple cells, such as the bacterium shown in Figure 1a, possess a fairly homogeneous interior containing the cell's genetic blueprint and protein workhorses, but no mechanical elements. In contrast, as can be seen in Figure 1b, plant and animal cells contain internal compartments and a filamentous cytoskeleton—a network of biological ropes, cables, and poles that helps maintain the cell's shape and organize its contents.Four principal types of filaments are found in the cytoskeleton: spectrin, actin, microtubules, and a family of intermediate filaments. Not all filaments are present in all cells. The chemical composition of the filaments shows only limited variation from one cell to another, even in organisms as diverse as humans and yeasts. Membranes have a more variable composition, consisting of a bi-layer of dual-chain lipid molecules in which are embedded various proteins and frequently a moderate concentration of cholesterol. The similarity of the cell's mechanical elements in chemical composition and physical characteristics encourages us to search for universal strategies that have developed in nature for the engineering specifications of the cell. In this article, we concentrate on the cytoskeleton and its filaments.


1965 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 1401-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Cronshaw

Cambial derivatives of Acer rubrum have been examined at stages of their differentiation following fixation in 3% or 6% glutaraldehyde with a post fixation in osmium tetroxide. At early stages of development numerous free ribosomes are present in the cytoplasm, and elements of the endoplasmic reticulum tend to align themselves parallel to the cell surfaces. The plasma membrane is closely applied to the cell walls. During differentiation a complex system of cytoplasmic microtubules develops in the peripheral cytoplasm. These microtubules are oriented, mirroring the orientation of the most recently deposited microfibrils of the cell wall. The microtubules form a steep helix in the peripheral cytoplasm at the time of deposition of the middle layer of the secondary wall. During differentiation the free ribosomes disappear from the cytoplasm and numerous elements of rough endoplasmic reticulum with associated polyribosomes become more evident. In many cases the endoplasmic reticulum is associated with the cell surface. During the later stages of differentiation there are numerous inclusions between the cell wall and the plasma membrane.


Planta ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 215 (5) ◽  
pp. 770-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyoshi Yamada ◽  
Katsushi Kuroda ◽  
Yutaka Jitsuyama ◽  
Daisuke Takezawa ◽  
Keita Arakawa ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 5210-5226 ◽  
Author(s):  
V I Titorenko ◽  
D M Ogrydziak ◽  
R A Rachubinski

We have identified and characterized mutants of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica that are deficient in protein secretion, in the ability to undergo dimorphic transition from the yeast to the mycelial form, and in peroxisome biogenesis. Mutations in the SEC238, SRP54, PEX1, PEX2, PEX6, and PEX9 genes affect protein secretion, prevent the exit of the precursor form of alkaline extracellular protease from the endoplasmic reticulum, and compromise peroxisome biogenesis. The mutants sec238A, srp54KO, pex2KO, pex6KO, and pex9KO are also deficient in the dimorphic transition from the yeast to the mycelial form and are affected in the export of only plasma membrane and cell wall-associated proteins specific for the mycelial form. Mutations in the SEC238, SRP54, PEX1, and PEX6 genes prevent or significantly delay the exit of two peroxisomal membrane proteins, Pex2p and Pex16p, from the endoplasmic reticulum en route to the peroxisomal membrane. Mutations in the PEX5, PEX16, and PEX17 genes, which have previously been shown to be essential for peroxisome biogenesis, affect the export of plasma membrane and cell wall-associated proteins specific for the mycelial form but do not impair exit from the endoplasmic reticulum of either Pex2p and Pex16p or of proteins destined for secretion. Biochemical analyses of these mutants provide evidence for the existence of four distinct secretory pathways that serve to deliver proteins for secretion, plasma membrane and cell wall synthesis during yeast and mycelial modes of growth, and peroxisome biogenesis. At least two of these secretory pathways, which are involved in the export of proteins to the external medium and in the delivery of proteins for assembly of the peroxisomal membrane, diverge at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum.


Author(s):  
A.R. Hardham ◽  
B.E.S. Gunning

Microtubules in the plant cell cortex are usually aligned parallel to microfibrils of cellulose that are being deposited in the cell wall, and are considered to function in guiding or orienting cellulose synthetase complexes that lie in or on the plasma membrane. The cellulose component is largely responsible for the mechanical reaction of the wall to turgor forces, thereby determining cell size and shape, and therefore the role of the cortical microtubules is a fundamental part of the overall morphogenetic process in plants. It is important to determine the structure of cortical arrays of microtubules and to learn how the cell regulates their development, neither of these aspects having been investigated adequately since the original description likened the microtubules to “hundreds of hoops around the cell”.


1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
A K Bal ◽  
D P Verma ◽  
H Byrne ◽  
G A Maclachlan

Two forms of cellulase, buffer soluble (BS) and buffer insoluble (BI), are induced as a result of auxin treatment of dark-grown pea epicotyls. These two cellulases have been purified to homogeneity. Antibodies raised against the purified cellulases were conjugated with ferritin and were used to localize the two cellulases. Tissue sections were fixed in cold paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde and incubated for 1 h in the ferritin conjugates. The sections were washed with continuous shaking for 18 h and subsequently postfixed in osmium tetroxide. Tissue incubated in unconjugated ferritin was used as a control. A major part of BI cellulase is localized at the inner surface of the cell wall in close association with microfibrils. BS cellulase is localized mainly within the distended endoplasmic reticulum. Gogli complex and plasma membrane appear to be completely devoid of any cellulase activity. These observations are consistent with cytochemical localization and biochemical data on the distribution of these two cellulases among various cell and membrane fractions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (24) ◽  
pp. 4729-4744
Author(s):  
L. Roxana Gutierrez-Armijos ◽  
Rodrigo A. C. Sussmann ◽  
Ariel M. Silber ◽  
Mauro Cortez ◽  
Agustín Hernández

Abnormal sterols disrupt cellular functions through yet unclear mechanisms. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, accumulation of Δ8-sterols, the same type of sterols observed in patients of Conradi–Hünermann–Happle syndrome or in fungi after amine fungicide treatment, leads to cell wall weakness. We have studied the influence of Δ8-sterols on the activity of glucan synthase I, the protein synthetizing the main polymer in fungal cell walls, its regulation by the Cell Wall Integrity (CWI) pathway, and its transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane. We ascertained that the catalytic characteristics were mostly unaffected by the presence of abnormal sterols but the enzyme was partially retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to glucan deficit at the cell wall. Furthermore, we observed that glucan synthase I traveled through an unconventional exocytic route to the plasma membrane that is associated with low density intracellular membranes. Also, we found out that the CWI pathway remained inactive despite low glucan levels at the cell wall. Taken together, these data suggest that Δ8-sterols affect cell walls by inhibiting unconventional secretion of proteins leading to retention and degradation of glucan synthase I, while the compensatory CWI pathway is unable to activate. These results could be instrumental to understand defects of bone development in cholesterol biosynthesis disorders and fungicide mechanisms of action.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1577-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Sumner

The postanthesis synergids and zygote of Brassica campestris cv. Candle were examined using techniques of light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. The pollen tube enters the degenerate synergid by way of the filiform apparatus. A degeneration of one of the two synergids occurs after anthesis and is independent of pollination. The first sign of synergid degeneration is a more intense staining of one of the synergids, followed by a loss of organelle membrane integrity. There is a disappearance of the plasma membrane and dictyosome cisternae; however, profiles of degenerate synergid mitochondria, plastids, and dilated endoplasmic reticulum remain along with dictyosome vesicles that contain periodic acid – thiocarbo-hydrazide – silver proteinate positive substances. The zygote, shortly after fertilization, is reduced in size and lacks the large micropylar vacuole characteristic of the mature unfertilized egg cell. Plastids and mitochondria are concentrated around the centrally located nucleus of the zygote, and dictyosomes, active in vesicle production, are located in the lateral and chalazal regions of the cell, adjacent to the cell wall. The lateral cell walls are periodic acid – Schiff's and Calcofluor positive, while the ampulliform chalazal tip of the cell is weakly periodic acid – Schiff s positive and Calcofluor negative. Microtubules, with the long axis perpendicular to the long axis of the zygote, are abundant in the ampulliform chalazal tip of the cell. Following fertilization the central cell becomes highly vacuolate. There is continuity between the zygote – central cell plasma membrane, the central cell vacuole tonoplast, and membranes of the central cell endoplasmic reticulum. Central cell wall projections, of the transfer cell type, are located in the lateral regions of the megagametophyte adjacent to the developing zygote cell and are positioned adjacent to the region of inner and outer integument starch. Key words: Brassica, ultrastructure, synergid, megagametophyte, pollen tube, zygote.


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