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The New Phytologist Jul 2024Plasmodesmata are plasma membrane-lined connections that join plant cells to their neighbours, establishing an intercellular cytoplasmic continuum through which... (Review)
Review
Plasmodesmata are plasma membrane-lined connections that join plant cells to their neighbours, establishing an intercellular cytoplasmic continuum through which molecules can travel between cells, tissues, and organs. As plasmodesmata connect almost all cells in plants, their molecular traffic carries information and resources across a range of scales, but dynamic control of plasmodesmal aperture can change the possible domains of molecular exchange under different conditions. Plasmodesmal aperture is controlled by specialised signalling cascades accommodated in spatially discrete membrane and cell wall domains. Thus, the composition of plasmodesmata defines their capacity for molecular trafficking. Further, their shape and density can likewise define trafficking capacity, with the cell walls between different cell types hosting different numbers and forms of plasmodesmata to drive molecular flux in physiologically important directions. The molecular traffic that travels through plasmodesmata ranges from small metabolites through to proteins, and possibly even larger mRNAs. Smaller molecules are transmitted between cells via passive mechanisms but how larger molecules are efficiently trafficked through plasmodesmata remains a key question in plasmodesmal biology. How plasmodesmata are formed, the shape they take, what they are made of, and what passes through them regulate molecular traffic through plants, underpinning a wide range of plant physiology.
Topics: Plasmodesmata; Biological Transport; Plants; Plant Cells
PubMed: 38494438
DOI: 10.1111/nph.19666 -
Journal of Plant Research Jan 2015Plant viruses utilize plasmodesmata (PD), unique membrane-lined cytoplasmic nanobridges in plants, to spread infection cell-to-cell and long-distance. Such invasion... (Review)
Review
Plant viruses utilize plasmodesmata (PD), unique membrane-lined cytoplasmic nanobridges in plants, to spread infection cell-to-cell and long-distance. Such invasion involves a range of regulatory mechanisms to target and modify PD. Exciting discoveries in this field suggest that these mechanisms are executed by the interaction between plant cellular components and viral movement proteins (MPs) or other virus-encoded factors. Striking working analogies exist among endogenous non-cell-autonomous proteins and viral MPs, in which not only do they all use PD to traffic, but also they exploit same regulatory components to exert their functions. Thus, this review discusses on the viral strategies to move via PD and the PD-regulatory mechanisms involved in viral pathogenesis.
Topics: Cell Movement; Models, Biological; Plant Viruses; Plants; Plasmodesmata; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 25527904
DOI: 10.1007/s10265-014-0683-6 -
Plant Science : An International... Oct 2018It is now widely accepted that plant RNAs can have effects at sites far away from their sites of synthesis. Cellular mRNA transcripts, endogenous small RNAs and... (Review)
Review
It is now widely accepted that plant RNAs can have effects at sites far away from their sites of synthesis. Cellular mRNA transcripts, endogenous small RNAs and defense-related small RNAs all move from cell to cell via plasmodesmata (PD), and may even move long distances in the phloem. Despite their small size, PD have complicated substructures, and the area of the pore available for RNA trafficking can be remarkably small. The intent of this review is to bring into focus the role of PD in cell-to-cell and long distance communication in plants. We consider how cellular RNAs could move through the cell to the PD and thence through PD. The protein composition of PD and the possible roles of PD proteins in RNA trafficking are also discussed. Recent evidence for RNA metabolism in organelles acting as a factor in controlling PD flux is also presented, highlighting new aspects of plant intra- and intercellular communication. It is clear that while the phenomenon of RNA mobility is common and essential, many questions remain, and these have been highlighted throughout this review.
Topics: Cell Communication; Plants; Plasmodesmata; RNA, Plant
PubMed: 30107876
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.07.001 -
Biology Open Oct 2023Cell-cell communication is a central feature of multicellular organisms, enabling division of labour and coordinated responses. Plasmodesmata are membrane-lined pores... (Review)
Review
Cell-cell communication is a central feature of multicellular organisms, enabling division of labour and coordinated responses. Plasmodesmata are membrane-lined pores that provide regulated cytoplasmic continuity between plant cells, facilitating signalling and transport across neighboring cells. Plant development and survival profoundly depend on the existence and functioning of these structures, bringing them to the spotlight for both fundamental and applied research. Despite the rich conceptual and translational rewards in sight, however, the study of plasmodesmata poses significant challenges. This Review will mostly focus on research published between May 2022 and May 2023 and intends to provide a short overview of recent discoveries, innovations, community resources and hypotheses.
Topics: Plasmodesmata; Cell Communication; Signal Transduction; Plant Development; Biology
PubMed: 37874138
DOI: 10.1242/bio.060123 -
Trends in Plant Science Apr 2011Plasmodesmata are intercellular channels that establish a symplastic communication pathway between neighboring cells in plants. Owing to this role, opportunistic... (Review)
Review
Plasmodesmata are intercellular channels that establish a symplastic communication pathway between neighboring cells in plants. Owing to this role, opportunistic microbial pathogens have evolved to exploit plasmodesmata as gateways to spread infection from cell to cell within the plant. However, although these pathogens have acquired the capacity to breach the plasmodesmal trafficking pathway, plants are unlikely to relinquish control over a structure essential for their survival so easily. In this review, we examine evidence that suggests plasmodesmata play an active role in plant immunity against viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens. We discuss how these pathogens differ in their lifestyles and infection modes, and present the defense strategies that plants have adopted to prevent the intercellular spread of an infection.
Topics: Host-Pathogen Interactions; Immunity, Innate; Plant Cells; Plant Immunity; Plants; Plasmodesmata
PubMed: 21334962
DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2011.01.004 -
Trends in Plant Science May 2016Plant receptor kinases (RKs) and receptor proteins (RPs) are involved in a plethora of cellular processes, including developmental decisions and immune responses. There... (Review)
Review
Plant receptor kinases (RKs) and receptor proteins (RPs) are involved in a plethora of cellular processes, including developmental decisions and immune responses. There is increasing evidence that plasmodesmata (PD)-localized RKs and RPs act as nexuses that perceive extracellular signals and convey them into intra- and intercellular responses by regulating the exchange of molecules through PD. How RK/RP complexes regulate the specific and nonspecific traffic of molecules through PD, and how these receptors are specifically targeted to PD, have been elusive but underpin comprehensive understanding of the function and regulation of the symplast. In this review we gather the current knowledge of RK/RP complex function at PD and how they might regulate intercellular traffic.
Topics: Plant Proteins; Plasmodesmata; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 26655263
DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.11.002 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2015The symplastic communication network established by plasmodesmata (PD) and connected phloem provides an essential pathway for spatiotemporal intercellular signaling in... (Review)
Review
The symplastic communication network established by plasmodesmata (PD) and connected phloem provides an essential pathway for spatiotemporal intercellular signaling in plant development but is also exploited by viruses for moving their genomes between cells in order to infect plants systemically. Virus movement depends on virus-encoded movement proteins (MPs) that target PD and therefore represent important keys to the cellular mechanisms underlying the intercellular trafficking of viruses and other macromolecules. Viruses and their MPs have evolved different mechanisms for intracellular transport and interaction with PD. Some viruses move from cell to cell by interacting with cellular mechanisms that control the size exclusion limit of PD whereas other viruses alter the PD architecture through assembly of specialized transport structures within the channel. Some viruses move between cells in the form of assembled virus particles whereas other viruses may interact with nucleic acid transport mechanisms to move their genomes in a non-encapsidated form. Moreover, whereas several viruses rely on the secretory pathway to target PD, other viruses interact with the cortical endoplasmic reticulum and associated cytoskeleton to spread infection. This chapter provides an introduction into viruses and their role in studying the diverse cellular mechanisms involved in intercellular PD-mediated macromolecular trafficking.
Topics: Biological Transport; Cell Communication; Cytoskeleton; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Plant Cells; Plant Viral Movement Proteins; Plant Viruses; Plants; Plasmodesmata; RNA, Viral; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 25287194
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1523-1_2 -
Archives of Virology Sep 2016Intercellular spread of plant viruses involves passage of the viral genome or virion through a plasmodesma (PD). Some viruses severely modify the PD structure, as they...
Intercellular spread of plant viruses involves passage of the viral genome or virion through a plasmodesma (PD). Some viruses severely modify the PD structure, as they assemble a virion carrying tubule composed of the viral movement protein (MP) inside the PD channel. Successful modulation of the host plant to allow infection requires an intimate interaction between viral proteins and both structural and regulatory host proteins. To date, however, very few host proteins are known to promote virus spread. Plasmodesmata-located proteins (PDLPs) localised in the PD have been shown to contribute to tubule formation in cauliflower mosaic virus and grapevine fanleaf virus infections. In this study, we have investigated the role of PDLPs in intercellular transport of another tubule-forming virus, cowpea mosaic virus. The MP of this virus was found to interact with PDLPs in the PD, as was shown for other tubule-forming viruses. Expression of PDLPs and MPs in protoplasts in the absence of a PD revealed that these proteins do not co-localise at the site of tubule initiation. Furthermore, we show that tubule assembly in protoplasts does not require an interaction with PDLPs at the base of the tubule, as has been observed in planta. These results suggest that a physical interaction between MPs and PDLPs is not required for assembly of the movement tubule and that the beneficial role of PDLPs in virus movement is confined to the structural context of the PD.
Topics: Comovirus; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Leaves; Plant Proteins; Plant Viral Movement Proteins; Plants, Genetically Modified; Plasmodesmata; Protein Transport; Nicotiana
PubMed: 27339685
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2936-2 -
Journal of Experimental Botany Apr 2014Plant cells utilize mobile transcription factors to transmit intercellular signals when they perceive environmental stimuli or initiate developmental programmes. Studies... (Review)
Review
Plant cells utilize mobile transcription factors to transmit intercellular signals when they perceive environmental stimuli or initiate developmental programmes. Studies on these novel cell-to-cell signals have accumulated multiple pieces of evidence showing that non-cell-autonomous transcription factors play pivotal roles in most processes related to the formation and development of plant organs. Recent studies have explored the evolution of mobile transcription factors and proposed mechanisms for their trafficking through plasmodesmata, where a selective system exists to facilitate this process. Mobile transcription factors contribute to the diversity of the intercellular signalling network, which is also established by peptides, hormones, and RNAs. Crosstalk between mobile transcription factors and other intercellular molecules leads to the development of complex biological signalling networks in plants. The regulation of plasmodesmata appears to have been another major step in controlling the intercellular trafficking of transcription factors based on studies of many plasmodesmal components. Furthermore, diverse omics approaches are being successfully applied to explore a large number of candidate transcription factors as mobile signals in plants. Here, we review these fascinating discoveries to integrate current knowledge of non-cell-autonomous transcription factors.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Cell Communication; Plant Development; Plant Proteins; Plants; Plasmodesmata; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 24347464
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ert422 -
Current Biology : CB Dec 2018Multicellular organisms rely on cell-to-cell communication and resource exchange to coordinate the various diverse processes involved in growth, development, and...
Multicellular organisms rely on cell-to-cell communication and resource exchange to coordinate the various diverse processes involved in growth, development, and environmental responses across tissues and organs. Most complex multicellular organisms have highly organised and specialised anatomies, which develop by processes underpinned by regulated mechanisms for intercellular coordination. Indeed, in 1897 Wilhelm Pfeffer noted that for a plant to coordinate its physiological responses across the whole, there must be continuity throughout the entire organism, and that connections between cells must transport material and messages between tissues. Intercellular communication is an integral factor in any tissue-wide or organ-wide process in a multicellular organism.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plasmodesmata
PubMed: 30562524
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.11.004