Plant cytoskeleton articles from across Nature Portfolio

Brassinosteroids are perceived by the plasma membrane receptor BRI1. This Review summarizes what is known about the multi-layered interaction network that fine-tunes the activity and dynamics of BRI1 at the cell surface.

The microtubule-associated protein MIDD1 fine-tunes the secondary cell wall patterns in xylem vessels by forming co-condensates with KINESIN-13A, which induces the massive catastrophe of microtubules, in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cellulose is synthesized by cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs), which are trafficked and delivered from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane. Here Liu et al. reveal a non-canonical route for CSCs exiting from the Golgi.

In plant metaxylem, three-dimensional cell wall arches are formed over pit membranes. Here, the authors show that the microtubule-associated proteins, MAP70-5 and MAP70-1, confine microtubules within the pit aperture and direct growth of pit arches in the proper orientation.

Martinek et al. found that the ARP2/3 complex forms spot-like structures on peroxisomes where it colocalizes and interacts with autophagosomes. Other experiments suggest that ARP2/3 is involved in pexophagy in plant cells.

Protein tethers can bridge the actin cytoskeleton with cellular membranes. Here, the authors show that two members of the NETWORKED family, NET4A and NET4B, tether actin filaments and the tonoplast through interaction with RABG3b and are essential for actin reorganization during stomatal closure in plant immunity.

Microscopic visualization of the ARP2/3 complex showed that it colocalizes with peroxisomes in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco cells in vivo. Colocalization with an autophagy marker and analysis of peroxisomes in autophagy-mutant or ARP2/3-mutant lines demonstrated that ARP2/3 facilitates peroxisome degradation by the autophagic pathway, that is, pexophagy.

In Arabidopsis, the final size of the seed is determined early on during its development by the growth of a single multinucleate cell, the coenocytic endosperm. The endosperm arises from a second fertilization event, alongside the embryo, and dominates the onset of seed development while later nourishing and supporting embryo growth.

Duplication of KCBP, which encodes a plant-specific microtubule-based kinesin motor, occurs solely in legumes of the clade that form symbiosomes. The nodule-enriched KCBP (nKCBP) is co-opted by rhizobia to control central vacuole morphogenesis in symbiotic cells, thus achieving symbiosome development and nitrogen fixation.

Plant microtubules align along directions of anisotropic mechanical stress. Live cell imaging of epidermal pavement cells reveals that cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs) are present in regions of anisotropic mechanical stress in patterns similar to those of microtubules. The coupling of microtubules and CSCs hampers the response of microtubules to mechanical stresses.