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Cell division

Plant cell division: building walls in the right places

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 2, pages 33–39 (2001)Cite this article

Key Points

ONLINE SUMMARY

  • In plant cells, the division plane is predicted before mitosis by the location of a preprophase (PPB) band of microtubules and actin filaments in the cell cortex.

  • The phragmoplast, a cytoskeletal structure that guides the formation of the new cell wall after mitosis, interacts with the cortical site formerly occupied by the preprophase band to position the new wall at that site. This interaction requires actin, and recent evidence indicates a possible role for myosins as well

  • The plane of division for many plant cells can be predicted by their shapes. Cytoskeletal filaments radiating from the nucleus to the cortex may 'read' cell shape to determine the plane of division.

  • In asymmetrically dividing cells, the plane of division is coordinated with cell polarity, which has been shown to depend on actin, the cell wall and secretion.

  • In asymmetrically dividing cells of the maize leaf epidermis, Brick1 and Pangloss 1 are required for polarization of the mother cell and two Discordia genes are required for guidance of phragmoplasts to the former PPB site.

  • The Tangled1 gene of maize is required for phragmoplast guidance in most or all leaf cells. Molecular analysis of the Tangled1 gene and protein indicates that TAN1 protein might participate in the orientation of cytoskeletal structures in dividing cells through an association with microtubules.

Abstract

Plant cells are surrounded by walls that define their shapes and fix their positions with tissues. Consequently, establishment of a plant's cellular framework during development depends largely on the positions in which new walls are formed during cytokinesis. Experiments using various approaches are now building on classical studies to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the spatial control of cytokinesis.

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Figure 1: Effects of deformation on the plane of cell division.
Figure 2: Selection of the division plane in an elongated, highly vacuolated cell18,19,20.
Figure 3: Cytoskeletal organization in dividing plant cells.
Figure 4: Stomatal development in maize34.
Figure 5: Effects of four mutations that disrupt the normal orientation of SMC divisions in maize34.
Figure 6: Function and localization of TANGLED1 (TAN1) in dividing cells of maize leaf primordia31,41,42.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093-0116, California, USA

    Laurie G. Smith

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  1. Laurie G. Smith
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Additional information

Our research is focused on the spatial regulation of cytokinesis and cell expansion during plant development. By screening for mutations altering the regular cell patterns of the maize leaf epidermis, we have identified several genes required for one or both of these processes, many of which are described in this review.

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DATABASE LINKS

GNOM

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE SCIENCES

Plant cell wall biosynthesis

Plant cell walls

Glossary

PROPHASE

An early stage of the cell cycle, during which the chromosomes become condensed in preparation for mitosis.

TRANSVACUOLAR CYTOPLASMIC STRANDS

Strands of cytoplasm passing through the vacuole that link the cytoplasm around the nucleus with the cortical cytoplasm just inside the plasma membrane.

MICROTUBULE

A hollow tube, 25 nm in diameter, formed by the lateral association of 13 protofilaments, which are themselves polymers of α- and β-tubulin subunits.

PREPROPHASE BAND (PPB)

A cytoskeletal array composed of F-actin and microtubules that is found in the cell cortex of plant cells during prophase. Its position predicts the future location of the new cell wall.

F-ACTIN

(Filamentous actin). A flexible, helical polymer of G-actin (globular actin) monomers that is 5–9 nm in diameter.

CYTOKINESIS

The division of one cell into two at the conclusion of the cell cycle.

PHRAGMOPLAST

A cytoskeletal structure composed of microtubules and actin filaments that guides the formation of a new cell wall during cytokinesis (see Fig. 3).

STOMATAL COMPLEX

A group of cells in the shoot epidermis, which functions as a regulated aperture that controls the exchange of gases and moisture between internal tissues and the air.

GUARD MOTHER CELL

A precursor cell that divides to form a pair of guard cells (see 'stomatal complex').

SUBSIDIARY MOTHER CELL

A precursor cell that divides to form at least one subsidiary cell.

SUBSIDIARY CELLS

Cells flanking the guard cells of the stomatal complex. They contribute to the regulation of stomatal opening and closing by exchanging ions with the adjacent guard cells.

GUARD CELLS

The pair of cells in the centre of a stomatal complex that flank the stomatal pore.

CYTOCHALASIN

A fungal compound that specifically interferes with actin polymerization.

ZYGOTE

A single diploid cell formed by the fusion of haploid female and male gametes.

GUANINE NUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE FACTOR

(GEF). A protein that facilitates the exchange of GDP (guanine diphosphate) for GTP (guanine triphosphate) in the nucleotide-binding pocket of a GTP-binding protein.

ADP-RIBOSYLATION FACTOR (ARF) G PROTEIN

A GTP-binding protein that regulates the ribosylation of ADP (adenosine diphosphate).

CELL CORTEX

A thin layer of cytoplasm immediately adjacent to the inner surface of the plasma membrane.

LEAF PRIMORDIUM

A newly initiated organ that will eventually give rise to a mature leaf.

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Smith, L. Plant cell division: building walls in the right places. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2, 33–39 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35048050

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