FRA1 Kinesin Modulates the Lateral Stability of Cortical Microtubules through Cellulose Synthase–Microtubule Uncoupling Proteins

ABSTRACTConstruction of the cell wall demands harmonized deposition of cellulose and matrix polysaccharides. Cortical microtubules orient the deposition of cellulose by guiding the trajectory of plasma membrane-embedded cellulose synthase complexes. Vesicles containing matrix polysaccharides are thought to be transported by the FRA1 kinesin to facilitate their secretion along cortical microtubules. The cortical microtubule cytoskeleton thus provides a platform to coordinate the delivery of cellulose and matrix polysaccharides, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we show that the tail region of the FRA1 kinesin physically interacts with CMU proteins which are important for the microtubule-dependent guidance of cellulose synthase complexes. Interaction with CMUs did not affect microtubule binding or motility of the FRA1 kinesin but had an opposing effect on the cortical microtubule localization of CMU1 and CMU2 proteins, thus regulating the lateral stability of cortical microtubules. Phosphorylation of the FRA1 tail region by CKL6 inhibited binding to CMUs and consequently reversed the extent of cortical microtubule decoration by CMU1 and CMU2. Genetic experiments demonstrated the significance of this interaction to the growth and reproduction of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. We propose that modulation of CMU’s microtubule localization by FRA1 provides a mechanism to control the coordinated deposition of cellulose and matrix polysaccharides.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Arabidopsis cortical microtubules position cellulose synthase delivery to the plasma membrane and interact with cellulose synthase trafficking compartments.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1161250.621738 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Clive Lloyd

Keyword(s):

Plasma Membrane ◽

Cellulose Synthase ◽

Cortical Microtubules

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Inhibition of cell expansion enhances cortical microtubule stability in the root apex of Arabidopsis thaliana

Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki ◽

10.1186/s40709-021-00143-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Veronica Giourieva ◽

Emmanuel Panteris

Keyword(s):

Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽

Cell Wall ◽

Cell Expansion ◽

Cortical Microtubule ◽

Root Apex ◽

Cellulose Synthase ◽

Cellulose Biosynthesis ◽

Cortical Microtubules ◽

Wild Type ◽

Microtubule Stability

Abstract Background Cortical microtubules regulate cell expansion by determining cellulose microfibril orientation in the root apex of Arabidopsis thaliana. While the regulation of cell wall properties by cortical microtubules is well studied, the data on the influence of cell wall to cortical microtubule organization and stability remain scarce. Studies on cellulose biosynthesis mutants revealed that cortical microtubules depend on Cellulose Synthase A (CESA) function and/or cell expansion. Furthermore, it has been reported that cortical microtubules in cellulose-deficient mutants are hypersensitive to oryzalin. In this work, the persistence of cortical microtubules against anti-microtubule treatment was thoroughly studied in the roots of several cesa mutants, namely thanatos, mre1, any1, prc1-1 and rsw1, and the Cellulose Synthase Interacting 1 protein (csi1) mutant pom2-4. In addition, various treatments with drugs affecting cell expansion were performed on wild-type roots. Whole mount tubulin immunolabeling was applied in the above roots and observations were performed by confocal microscopy. Results Cortical microtubules in all mutants showed statistically significant increased persistence against anti-microtubule drugs, compared to those of the wild-type. Furthermore, to examine if the enhanced stability of cortical microtubules was due to reduced cellulose biosynthesis or to suppression of cell expansion, treatments of wild-type roots with 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB) and Congo red were performed. After these treatments, cortical microtubules appeared more resistant to oryzalin, than in the control. Conclusions According to these findings, it may be concluded that inhibition of cell expansion, irrespective of the cause, results in increased microtubule stability in A. thaliana root. In addition, cell expansion does not only rely on cortical microtubule orientation but also plays a regulatory role in microtubule dynamics, as well. Various hypotheses may explain the increased cortical microtubule stability under decreased cell expansion such as the role of cell wall sensors and the presence of less dynamic cortical microtubules.

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