Peeking at a plant through the holes in the wall – exploring the roles of plasmodesmata

Abstract

Plasmodesmata (PD) are membrane-lined pores that connect neighbouring plant cells and allow molecular exchange via the symplast. Past studies have revealed the basic structure of PD, some of the transport mechanisms for molecules through PD, and a variety of physiological processes in which they function. Recently, with the help of newly developed technologies, several exciting new features of PD have been revealed. New PD structures were observed during early formation of PD and between phloem sieve elements and phloem pole pericycle cells in roots. Both observations challenge our current understanding of PD structure and function. Research into novel physiological responses, which are regulated by PD, indicates that we have not yet fully explored the potential contribution of PD to overall plant function. In this Viewpoint article, we summarize some of the recent advances in understanding the structure and function of PD and propose the challenges ahead for the community.

Komunikacja symplastowa – nadkomórkowy system regulacji różnicowania komórek

“…Międzykomórkowe przemieszczanie się czynników transkrypcyjnych i regulatorowych RNAs jest niezbędne do ustalenia tożsamości komórkowej w merystemach i tkankach. Wniosek ten poparty jest wynikami badań na liniach transgenicznych Arabidopsis z zablokowaną możliwością przemieszczania się cząsteczek sygnałowych przez PD, w wyniku czego dochodzi do poważnych defektów rozwojowych zarodków, w tym efektów letalnych [47]. Poniżej przedstawiono niektóre przykłady takiej zależności w trakcie morfogenezy roślin.…”

Intercellular Communication as a Series of Narrow Escape Problems

“…Plant cells are connected by channels called plasmodesmata that link the cytoplasm from neighbouring cells to form the symplast [8], creating a prime route for signalling molecules (Fig. 1 A).…”

“…The aperture of individual plasmodesmata may be altered by the deposition or removal of callose in the cell wall [11]. This process changes the size and number of particles that may be transported, often this is referred to as the size exclusion limit [8]. Methods for quantifying these parameters of plasmodesmata density, size and aperture are costly and experimentally labour-intense.…”

Response of plasmodesmata formation in leaves of C4 grasses to growth irradiance

“…PD are cytoplasmic conduits that traverse plant cell walls to enable intercellular continuity. Evidence for the existence of PD in plants was published more than a hundred years ago (Tangl, ), but a comprehensive understanding of their role in developmental, intercellular transport, and signalling processes as well as their molecular anatomy and genetic networks controlling their function still remains to be realized (Lu, Danila, Cho, & Faulkner, ). The main challenge underlying PD research has been their minute size and difficulty in viable isolation.…”