GFP-FABD2 fusion construct allows in vivo visualization of the dynamic actin cytoskeleton in all cells of Arabidopsis seedlings

Actin cytoskeleton and plasma membrane aquaporins are involved in different drought response of Arabidopsis rhd2 and der1 root hair mutants

Actin cytoskeleton and reactive oxygen species are principal determinants of root hair polarity and tip growth. Loss of function in RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG C/ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 2 (AtRBOHC/RHD2), an NADPH oxidase emitting superoxide to the apoplast, and in ACTIN 2, a vegetative actin isovariant, in rhd2-1 and der1-3 mutants, respectively, lead to similar defects in root hair formation and elongation Since early endosome-mediated polar localization of AtRBOHC/RHD2 depends on actin cytoskeleton, comparing the proteome-wide consequences of both mutations might be of eminent interest. Therefore, we employed a differential proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis rhd2-1 and der1-3 mutants. Both mutants exhibited substantial alterations in abundances of stress-related proteins. Notably, plasma membrane (PM)-localized PIP aquaporins showed contrasting abundance patterns in the mutants compared to wild-types. Drought-responsive proteins were mostly downregulated in rhd2-1 but upregulated in der1-3. Proteomic data suggest that opposite to der1-3, altered vesicular transport in rhd2-1 mutant likely contributes to the deregulation of PM-localized proteins, including PIPs. Moreover, lattice light sheet microscopy revealed reduced actin dynamics in rhd2-1 roots, a finding contrasting with previous reports on der1-3 mutant. Phenotypic experiments demonstrated a drought stress susceptibility in rhd2-1 and resistance in der1-3. Thus, mutations in AtRBOHC/RHD2 and ACTIN2 cause similar root hair defects, but they differently affect the actin cytoskeleton and vesicular transport. Reduced actin dynamics in rhd2-1 mutant is accompanied by alteration of vesicular transport proteins abundance, likely leading to altered protein delivery to PM, including aquaporins, thereby significantly affecting drought stress responses.

HDA6 modulates Arabidopsis pavement cell morphogenesis through epigenetic suppression of ROP6 GTPase expression and signaling

The transcriptional regulation of Rho-related GTPase from plants (ROPs), which determine cell polarity formation and maintenance during plant development, still remains enigmatic. In this study, we elucidated the epigenetic mechanism of histone deacetylase HDA6 in transcriptional repression of ROP6 and its impact on cell polarity and morphogenesis in Arabidopsis leaf epidermal pavement cells (PCs). We found that the hda6 mutant axe1-4 exhibited impaired jigsaw-shaped PCs and convoluted leaves. This correlated with disruptions in the spatial organizations of cortical microtubules and filamentous actin, which is integral to PC indentation and lobe formation. Further transcriptional analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that HDA6 specifically represses ROP6 expression through histone H3K9K14 deacetylation. Importantly, overexpression of dominant negative-rop6 in axe1-4 restored interdigitated cell morphology. Our study unveils HDA6 as a key regulator in Arabidopsis PC morphogenesis through epigenetic suppression of ROP6. It reveals the pivotal role of HDA6 in the transcriptional regulation of ROP6 and provides compelling evidence for the functional interplay between histone deacetylation and ROP6-mediated cytoskeletal arrangement in the development of interdigitated PCs.

Natural variation in a short region of the Acidovorax citrulli type III-secreted effector AopW1 is associated with differences in cytotoxicity and host adaptation

Bacterial fruit blotch, caused by Acidovorax citrulli, is a serious disease of melon and watermelon. The strains of the pathogen belong to two major genetic groups: group I strains are strongly associated with melon, while group II strains are more aggressive on watermelon. A. citrulli secretes many protein effectors to the host cell via the type III secretion system. Here we characterized AopW1, an effector that shares similarity to the actin cytoskeleton-disrupting effector HopW1 of Pseudomonas syringae and with effectors from other plant-pathogenic bacterial species. AopW1 has a highly variable region (HVR) within amino acid positions 147 to 192, showing 14 amino acid differences between group I and II variants. We show that group I AopW1 is more toxic to yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana cells than group II AopW1, having stronger actin filament disruption activity, and increased ability to induce cell death and reduce callose deposition. We further demonstrated the importance of some amino acid positions within the HVR for AopW1 cytotoxicity. Cellular analyses revealed that AopW1 also localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and plant endosomes. We also show that overexpression of the endosome-associated protein EHD1 attenuates AopW1-induced cell death and increases defense responses. Finally, we show that sequence variation in AopW1 plays a significant role in the adaptation of group I and II strains to their preferred hosts, melon and watermelon, respectively. This study provides new insights into the HopW1 family of bacterial effectors and provides first evidence on the involvement of EHD1 in response to biotic stress.

ARP2/3 complex associates with peroxisomes to participate in pexophagy in plants

Actin-related protein (ARP2/3) complex is a heteroheptameric protein complex, evolutionary conserved in all eukaryotic organisms. Its conserved role is based on the induction of actin polymerization at the interface between membranes and the cytoplasm. Plant ARP2/3 has been reported to participate in actin reorganization at the plasma membrane during polarized growth of trichomes and at the plasma membrane-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites. Here we demonstrate that individual plant subunits of ARP2/3 fused to fluorescent proteins form motile spot-like structures in the cytoplasm that are associated with peroxisomes in Arabidopsis and tobacco. ARP2/3 is found at the peroxisome periphery and contains the assembled ARP2/3 complex and the WAVE/SCAR complex subunit NAP1. This ARP2/3-positive peroxisomal domain colocalizes with the autophagosome and, under conditions that affect the autophagy, colocalization between ARP2/3 and the autophagosome increases. ARP2/3 subunits co-immunoprecipitate with ATG8f and peroxisome-associated ARP2/3 interact in vivo with the ATG8f marker. Since mutants lacking functional ARP2/3 complex have more peroxisomes than wild type, we suggest that ARP2/3 has a novel role in the process of peroxisome degradation by autophagy, called pexophagy.

NET4 and RabG3 link actin to the tonoplast and facilitate cytoskeletal remodelling during stomatal immunity

Members of the NETWORKED (NET) family are involved in actin-membrane interactions. Here we show that two members of the NET family, NET4A and NET4B, are essential for normal guard cell actin reorganization, which is a process critical for stomatal closure in plant immunity. NET4 proteins interact with F-actin and with members of the Rab7 GTPase RABG3 family through two distinct domains, allowing for simultaneous localization to actin filaments and the tonoplast. NET4 proteins interact with GTP-bound, active RABG3 members, suggesting their function being downstream effectors. We also show that RABG3b is critical for stomatal closure induced by microbial patterns. Taken together, we conclude that the actin cytoskeletal remodelling during stomatal closure involves a molecular link between actin filaments and the tonoplast, which is mediated by the NET4-RABG3b interaction. We propose that stomatal closure to microbial patterns involves the coordinated action of immune-triggered osmotic changes and actin cytoskeletal remodelling likely driving compact vacuolar morphologies.

Kinetin induces microtubular breakdown, cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death in tobacco BY-2 cells

Plant cells can undergo regulated cell death in response to exogenous factors (often in a stress context), but also as regular element of development (often regulated by phytohormones). The cellular aspects of these death responses differ, which implies that the early signalling must be different. We use cytokinin-induced programmed cell death as paradigm to get insight into the role of the cytoskeleton for the regulation of developmentally induced cell death, using tobacco BY-2 cells as experimental model. We show that this PCD in response to kinetin correlates with an arrest of the cell cycle, a deregulation of DNA replication, a loss of plasma membrane integrity, a subsequent permeabilisation of the nuclear envelope, an increase of cytosolic calcium correlated with calcium depletion in the culture medium, an increase of callose deposition and the loss of microtubule and actin integrity. We discuss these findings in the context of a working model, where kinetin, mediated by calcium, causes the breakdown of the cytoskeleton, which, either by release of executing proteins or by mitotic catastrophe, will result in PCD.

A multifunctional nanocomposite coated with a BSA membrane for cascaded nitric oxide therapy

Gas therapy based on nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer, and in conjunction with multi-mode combination therapy, offers new possibilities for achieving significant hyperadditive effects. In this study, an integrated AI-MPDA@BSA nanocomposite for diagnosis and treatment was constructed for PDA based photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and cascade NO release. Natural NO donor L-arginine (L-Arg) and photosensitizer (PS) IR780 were loaded into mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conjugated to the MPDA to increase the dispersibility and biocompatibility of the nanoparticles, as well as to serve as a gatekeeper controlling IR780 release from the MPDA pores. The AI-MPDA@BSA produced singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and converted it into NO through a chain reaction based on L-Arg, enabling a combination of photodynamic therapy and gas therapy. Moreover, due to the photothermal properties of MPDA, the AI-MPDA@BSA performed good photothermal conversion, which allowed photoacoustic imaging. As expected, both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that the AI-MPDA@BSA nanoplatform has a significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells and tumors, and no apparent systemic toxicity or side effects were detected during the treatment period.

Nuclear movement in growing Arabidopsis root hairs involves both actin filaments and microtubules

Nuclear migration during growth and development is a conserved phenomenon among many eukaryotic species. In Arabidopsis, movement of the nucleus is important for root hair growth, but the detailed mechanism behind this movement is not well known. Previous studies in different cell types have reported that the myosin XI-I motor protein is responsible for this nuclear movement by attaching to the nuclear transmembrane protein complex WIT1/WIT2. Here, we analyzed nuclear movement in growing root hairs of wild-type, myosin xi-i, and wit1 wit2 Arabidopsis lines in the presence of actin and microtubule-disrupting inhibitors to determine the individual effects of actin filaments and microtubules on nuclear movement. We discovered that forward nuclear movement during root hair growth can occur in the absence of myosin XI-I, suggesting the presence of an alternative actin-based mechanism that mediates rapid nuclear displacements. By quantifying nuclear movements with high temporal resolution during the initial phase of inhibitor treatment, we determined that microtubules work to dampen erratic nuclear movements during root hair growth. We also observed microtubule-dependent backwards nuclear movement when actin filaments were impaired in the absence of myosin XI-I, indicating the presence of complex interactions between the cytoskeletal arrays during nuclear movements in growing root hairs.

Imaging the living plant cell: From probes to quantification

At the center of cell biology is our ability to image the cell and its various components, either in isolation or within an organism. Given its importance, biological imaging has emerged as a field of its own, which is inherently highly interdisciplinary. Indeed, biologists rely on physicists and engineers to build new microscopes and imaging techniques, chemists to develop better imaging probes, and mathematicians and computer scientists for image analysis and quantification. Live imaging collectively involves all the techniques aimed at imaging live samples. It is a rapidly evolving field, with countless new techniques, probes, and dyes being continuously developed. Some of these new methods or reagents are readily amenable to image plant samples, while others are not and require specific modifications for the plant field. Here, we review some recent advances in live imaging of plant cells. In particular, we discuss the solutions that plant biologists use to live image membrane-bound organelles, cytoskeleton components, hormones, and the mechanical properties of cells or tissues. We not only consider the imaging techniques per se, but also how the construction of new fluorescent probes and analysis pipelines are driving the field of plant cell biology.

Mechanical stress effects on transcriptional regulation of genes encoding microtubule- and actin-associated proteins

Plant cytoskeleton regulation has been studied using a new approach based on both (1) pharmacological analysis of tubulin and actin inhibitors and (2) mechanical stimulation achieved by using a slow-rotating (2 rpm) clinostat in combination with transcriptional analysis of genes encoding TUA6, ACT2, MAP65-1, CLASP, PLDδ, FH4 and FH1 proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana seedling roots. The obtained data suggest feedback between the organization of microtubule (MT) and actin filament (AF) networks and the expression of the ACT2, TUA6, MAP65-1, CLASP and FH1/FH4 genes. Different regulation of feedback between MT/AF organization and TUA6, ACT2, MAP65-1, CLASP, FH4 and FH1 gene expression was noted during slow clinorotation, possibly due to altered mechanical impact on the cortical cytoskeleton. For the first time, the expression of the tubulin-associated gene MAP65-1 was shown to be dependent upon the organization of AFs. TUA6, MAP65-1, CLASP, FH1 and FH4 likely participate in mechanical signal transduction. Our work demonstrated that slow clinorotation is able to cause mechanical stress.

Dynamic apico-basal enrichment of the F-actin during cytokinesis in Arabidopsis cells embedded in their tissues

Cell division is a tightly regulated mechanism, notably in tissues where malfunctions can lead to tumour formation or developmental defects. This is particularly true in land plants, where cells cannot relocate and therefore cytokinesis determines tissue topology. In plants, cell division is executed in radically different manners than in animals, with the appearance of new structures and the disappearance of ancestral mechanisms. Whilst F-actin and microtubules closely co-exist, recent studies mainly focused on the involvement of microtubules in this key process. Here, we used a root tracking system to image the spatio-temporal dynamics of both F-actin reporters and cell division markers in dividing cells embedded in their tissues. In addition to the F-actin accumulation at the phragmoplast, we observed and quantified a dynamic apico-basal enrichment of F-actin from the prophase/metaphase transition until the end of the cytokinesis.

Methods to Visualize the Actin Cytoskeleton During Plant Cell Division

Cell division in plants consists of separating the mother cell in two daughter cells by the centrifugal growth of a new wall. This process involves the reorganization of the structural elements of the cell, namely the microtubules and actin cytoskeleton which allow the coordination, the orientation, and the progression of mitosis. In addition to its implication in those plant-specific structures, the actin cytoskeleton, in close association with the plasma membrane, exhibits specific patterning at the cortex of the dividing cells, and might act as a signaling component. This review proposes an overview of the techniques available to visualize the actin cytoskeleton in fixed tissues or living cells during division, including electron, fluorescent, and super-resolution microscopy techniques.

Microgravity modelling by two-axial clinorotation leads to scattered organisation of cytoskeleton in Arabidopsis seedlings

Proper plant development in a closed ecosystem under weightlessness will be crucial for the success of future space missions. To supplement spaceflight experiments, such conditions of microgravity are modelled on Earth using a two-axial (2A) clinorotation, and in several fundamental studies resulted in the data on proteome and metabolome adjustments, embryo development, cell cycle regulation, etc. Nevertheless, our understanding of the cytoskeleton responses to the microgravity is still limited. In the present work, we study the adjustment of actin microfilaments (MFs) and microtubules (MTs) in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seedlings under 2A clinorotation. Modelled microgravity resulted in not only the alteration of seedlings phenotype, but also a transient increase of the hydrogen peroxide level and in the cytoskeleton adjustment. Using GFP-fABD2 and Lifeact-Venus transgenic lines, we demonstrate that MFs became 'scattered' in elongating root and hypocotyl cells under 2A clinorotation. In addition, in GFP-MAP4 and GFP-TUA6 lines the tubulin cytoskeleton had higher fractions of transverse MTs under 2A clinorotation. Remarkably, the first static gravistimulation of continuously clinorotated seedlings reverted MF organisation to a longitudinal one in roots within 30 min. Our data suggest that the 'scattered' organisation of MFs in microgravity can serve as a good basis for the rapid cytoskeleton conversion to a 'longitudinal' structure under the gravity force.

LARP6C orchestrates posttranscriptional reprogramming of gene expression during hydration to promote pollen tube guidance

Increasing evidence suggests that posttranscriptional regulation is a key player in the transition between mature pollen and the progamic phase (from pollination to fertilization). Nonetheless, the actors in this messenger RNA (mRNA)-based gene expression reprogramming are poorly understood. We demonstrate that the evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein LARP6C is necessary for the transition from dry pollen to pollen tubes and the guided growth of pollen tubes towards the ovule in Arabidopsis thaliana. In dry pollen, LARP6C binds to transcripts encoding proteins that function in lipid synthesis and homeostasis, vesicular trafficking, and polarized cell growth. LARP6C also forms cytoplasmic granules that contain the poly(A) binding protein and possibly represent storage sites for translationally silent mRNAs. In pollen tubes, the loss of LARP6C negatively affects the quantities and distribution of storage lipids, as well as vesicular trafficking. In Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells and in planta, analysis of reporter mRNAs designed from the LARP6C target MGD2 provided evidence that LARP6C can shift from a repressor to an activator of translation when the pollen grain enters the progamic phase. We propose that LARP6C orchestrates the timely posttranscriptional regulation of a subset of mRNAs in pollen during the transition from the quiescent to active state and along the progamic phase to promote male fertilization in plants.

Single Amino Acid Exchange in ACTIN2 Confers Increased Tolerance to Oxidative Stress in Arabidopsis der1-3 Mutant

Single-point mutation in the ACTIN2 gene of the der1-3 mutant revealed that ACTIN2 is an essential actin isovariant required for root hair tip growth, and leads to shorter, thinner and more randomly oriented actin filaments in comparison to the wild-type C24 genotype. The actin cytoskeleton has been linked to plant defense against oxidative stress, but it is not clear how altered structural organization and dynamics of actin filaments may help plants to cope with oxidative stress. In this study, we characterized root growth, plant biomass, actin organization and antioxidant activity of the der1-3 mutant under oxidative stress induced by paraquat and H₂O₂. Under these conditions, plant growth was better in the der1-3 mutant, while the actin cytoskeleton in the der1-3 carrying pro35S::GFP:FABD2 construct showed a lower bundling rate and higher dynamicity. Biochemical analyses documented a lower degree of lipid peroxidation, and an elevated capacity to decompose superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. These results support the view that the der1-3 mutant is more resistant to oxidative stress. We propose that alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, increased sensitivity of ACTIN to reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT), along with the increased capacity to decompose reactive oxygen species encourage the enhanced tolerance of this mutant against oxidative stress.

Bundling up the Role of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Primary Root Growth

Primary root growth is required by the plant to anchor in the soil and reach out for nutrients and water, while dealing with obstacles. Efficient root elongation and bending depends upon the coordinated action of environmental sensing, signal transduction, and growth responses. The actin cytoskeleton is a highly plastic network that constitutes a point of integration for environmental stimuli and hormonal pathways. In this review, we present a detailed compilation highlighting the importance of the actin cytoskeleton during primary root growth and we describe how actin-binding proteins, plant hormones, and actin-disrupting drugs affect root growth and root actin. We also discuss the feedback loop between actin and root responses to light and gravity. Actin affects cell division and elongation through the control of its own organization. We remark upon the importance of longitudinally oriented actin bundles as a hallmark of cell elongation as well as the role of the actin cytoskeleton in protein trafficking and vacuolar reshaping during this process. The actin network is shaped by a plethora of actin-binding proteins; however, there is still a large gap in connecting the molecular function of these proteins with their developmental effects. Here, we summarize their function and known effects on primary root growth with a focus on their high level of specialization. Light and gravity are key factors that help us understand root growth directionality. The response of the root to gravity relies on hormonal, particularly auxin, homeostasis, and the actin cytoskeleton. Actin is necessary for the perception of the gravity stimulus via the repositioning of sedimenting statoliths, but it is also involved in mediating the growth response via the trafficking of auxin transporters and cell elongation. Furthermore, auxin and auxin analogs can affect the composition of the actin network, indicating a potential feedback loop. Light, in its turn, affects actin organization and hence, root growth, although its precise role remains largely unknown. Recently, fundamental studies with the latest techniques have given us more in-depth knowledge of the role and organization of actin in the coordination of root growth; however, there remains a lot to discover, especially in how actin organization helps cell shaping, and therefore root growth.

Actin filaments mediated root growth inhibition by changing their distribution under UV-B and hydrogen peroxide exposure in Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND

UV-B signaling in plants is mediated by UVR8, which interacts with transcriptional factors to induce root morphogenesis. However, research on the downstream molecules of UVR8 signaling in roots is still scarce. As a wide range of functional cytoskeletons, how actin filaments respond to UV-B-induced root morphogenesis has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of actin filaments on root morphogenesis under UV-B and hydrogen peroxide exposure in Arabidopsis.

RESULTS

A Lifeact-Venus fusion protein was used to stain actin filaments in Arabidopsis. The results showed that UV-B inhibited hypocotyl and root elongation and caused an increase in H₂O₂ content only in the root but not in the hypocotyl. Additionally, the actin filaments in hypocotyls diffused under UV-B exposure but were gathered in a bundle under the control conditions in either Lifeact-Venus or uvr8 plants. Exogenous H₂O₂ inhibited root elongation in a dose-dependent manner. The actin filaments changed their distribution from filamentous to punctate in the root tips and mature regions at a lower concentration of H₂O₂ but aggregated into thick bundles with an abnormal orientation at H₂O₂ concentrations up to 2 mM. In the root elongation zone, the actin filament arrangement changed from lateral to longitudinal after exposure to H₂O₂. Actin filaments in the root tip and elongation zone were depolymerized into puncta under UV-B exposure, which showed the same tendency as the low-concentration treatments. The actin filaments were hardly filamentous in the maturation zone. The dynamics of actin filaments in the uvr8 group under UV-B exposure were close to those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that UV-B inhibited Arabidopsis hypocotyl elongation by reorganizing actin filaments from bundles to a loose arrangement, which was not related to H₂O₂. UV-B disrupted the dynamics of actin filaments by changing the H₂O₂ level in Arabidopsis roots. All these results provide an experimental basis for investigating the interaction of UV-B signaling with the cytoskeleton.

Cadmium, nickel, copper, and zinc influence on microfilament organization in Arabidopsis root cells

The plant cytoskeleton orchestrates such fundamental processes in cells as division, growth and development, polymer cross-linking, membrane anchorage, etc. Here, we describe the influence of Cd²⁺ , Ni²⁺ , Zn²⁺ , and Cu²⁺ on root development and vital organization of actin filaments into different cells of Arabidopsis thaliana line expressing GFP-FABD2. CdSO₄ , NiSO₄ , CuSO₄ , and ZnSO₄ were used in concentrations of 5-20 µM in this study. It was found that Cd, Ni, and Cu cause dose-dependent primary root growth inhibition and alteration of the root morphology, whereas Zn slightly stimulates root growth and does not affect the morphology of Arabidopsis roots. This growth inhibition/stimulation correlated with the various sensitivities of microfilaments to Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn action. It was established that Cd, Ni, and Cu affected predominantly the actin filaments of meristematic cells. Cells of transition and elongation zones demonstrated strong actin filament sensitivity to Cd and Cu. Microfilaments of elongating root cells were more sensitive to Ni and Cu. Although Cd, Ni, and Cu stimulated root hair growth after long-term treatment, actin filaments were destroyed after 1 h exposure with these metals. Zn did not disrupt native actin filament organization in root cells. Thus, our investigation shows that microfilaments act as sensitive cellular targets for Cd, Ni, and Cu. More data on effects on native actin filaments organization would contribute to a better understanding of plant tolerance mechanisms to the action of these metals.

The importance of being edgy: cell geometric edges as an emerging polar domain in plant cells

Polarity is an essential feature of multicellular organisms and underpins growth and development as well as physiological functions. In polyhedral plant cells, polar domains at different faces have been studied in detail. In recent years, cell edges (where two faces meet) have emerged as discrete spatial domains with distinct biochemical identities. Here, we review and discuss recent advances in our understanding of cell edges as functional polar domains in plant cells and other organisms, highlighting conceptual parallels and open questions regarding edge polarity.

Alloxan Disintegrates the Plant Cytoskeleton and Suppresses mlo-Mediated Powdery Mildew Resistance

Recessively inherited mutant alleles of Mlo genes (mlo) confer broad-spectrum penetration resistance to powdery mildew pathogens in angiosperm plants. Although a few components are known to be required for mlo resistance, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying this type of immunity remains elusive. In this study, we identified alloxan (5,5-dihydroxyl pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione) and some of its structural analogs as chemical suppressors of mlo-mediated resistance in monocotyledonous barley (Hordeum vulgare) and dicotyledonous Arabidopsis thaliana. Apart from mlo resistance, alloxan impairs nonhost resistance in Arabidopsis. Histological analysis revealed that the chemical reduces callose deposition and hydrogen peroxide accumulation at attempted fungal penetration sites. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that alloxan interferes with the motility of cellular organelles (peroxisomes, endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum) and the pathogen-triggered redistribution of the PEN1/SYP121 t-SNARE protein. These cellular defects are likely the consequence of disassembly of actin filaments and microtubules upon alloxan treatment. Similar to the situation in animal cells, alloxan elicited the temporary accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cotyledons and rosette leaves of Arabidopsis plants. Our results suggest that alloxan may destabilize cytoskeletal architecture via induction of an early transient ROS burst, further leading to the failure of molecular and cellular processes that are critical for plant immunity.

Mitochondrial dynamics and segregation during the asymmetric division of Arabidopsis zygotes

The zygote is the first cell of a multicellular organism. In most angiosperms, the zygote divides asymmetrically to produce an embryo-precursor apical cell and a supporting basal cell. Zygotic division should properly segregate symbiotic organelles, because they cannot be synthesized de novo. In this study, we revealed the real-time dynamics of the principle source of ATP biogenesis, mitochondria, in Arabidopsis thaliana zygotes using live-cell observations and image quantifications. In the zygote, the mitochondria formed the extended structure associated with the longitudinal array of actin filaments (F-actins) and were polarly distributed along the apical-basal axis. The mitochondria were then temporally fragmented during zygotic division, and the resulting apical cells inherited mitochondria at higher concentration compared to the basal cells. Further observation of postembryonic organs showed that these mitochondrial behaviours are characteristic of the zygote. Overall, our results showed that the zygote has spatiotemporal regulation that unequally distributes the mitochondria.

Brassinosteroids Inhibit Autotropic Root Straightening by Modifying Filamentous-Actin Organization and Dynamics

When positioned horizontally, roots grow down toward the direction of gravity. This phenomenon, called gravitropism, is influenced by most of the major plant hormones including brassinosteroids. Epi-brassinolide (eBL) was previously shown to enhance root gravitropism, a phenomenon similar to the response of roots exposed to the actin inhibitor, latrunculin B (LatB). This led us to hypothesize that eBL might enhance root gravitropism through its effects on filamentous-actin (F-actin). This hypothesis was tested by comparing gravitropic responses of maize (Zea mays) roots treated with eBL or LatB. LatB- and eBL-treated roots displayed similar enhanced downward growth compared with controls when vertical roots were oriented horizontally. Moreover, the effects of the two compounds on root growth directionality were more striking on a slowly-rotating two-dimensional clinostat. Both compounds inhibited autotropism, a process in which the root straightened after the initial gravistimulus was withdrawn by clinorotation. Although eBL reduced F-actin density in chemically-fixed Z. mays roots, the impact was not as strong as that of LatB. Modification of F-actin organization after treatment with both compounds was also observed in living roots of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) seedlings expressing genetically encoded F-actin reporters. Like in fixed Z. mays roots, eBL effects on F-actin in living M. truncatula roots were modest compared with those of LatB. Furthermore, live cell imaging revealed a decrease in global F-actin dynamics in hypocotyls of etiolated M. truncatula seedlings treated with eBL compared to controls. Collectively, our data indicate that eBL-and LatB-induced enhancement of root gravitropism can be explained by inhibited autotropic root straightening, and that eBL affects this process, in part, by modifying F-actin organization and dynamics.

Division of Labor Between Two Actin Nucleators-the Formin FH1 and the ARP2/3 Complex-in Arabidopsis Epidermal Cell Morphogenesis

The ARP2/3 complex and formins are the only known plant actin nucleators. Besides their actin-related functions, both systems also modulate microtubule organization and dynamics. Loss of the main housekeeping Arabidopsis thaliana Class I membrane-targeted formin FH1 (At3g25500) is known to increase cotyledon pavement cell lobing, while mutations affecting ARP2/3 subunits exhibit an opposite effect. Here we examine the role of FH1 and the ARP2/3 complex subunit ARPC5 (At4g01710) in epidermal cell morphogenesis with focus on pavement cells and trichomes using a model system of single fh1 and arpc5, as well as double fh1 arpc5 mutants. While cotyledon pavement cell shape in double mutants mostly resembled single arpc5 mutants, analysis of true leaf epidermal morphology, as well as actin and microtubule organization and dynamics, revealed a more complex relationship between the two systems and similar, rather than antagonistic, effects on some parameters. Both fh1 and arpc5 mutations increased actin network density and increased cell shape complexity in pavement cells and trichomes of first true leaves, in contrast to cotyledons. Thus, while the two actin nucleation systems have complementary roles in some aspects of cell morphogenesis in cotyledon pavement cells, they may act in parallel in other cell types and developmental stages.

Visualizing and Quantifying In Vivo Cortical Cytoskeleton Structure and Dynamics

The cortical microtubule and actin meshworks play a central role in the shaping of plant cells. Transgenic plants expressing fluorescent protein markers specifically tagging the two main cytoskeletal systems are available, allowing noninvasive in vivo studies. Advanced microscopy techniques, in particular confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), spinning disk confocal microscopy (SDCM), and variable angle epifluorescence microscopy (VAEM), can be nowadays used for imaging the cortical cytoskeleton of living cells with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. With the aid of free computing tools based on the publicly available ImageJ software package, quantitative information can be extracted from microscopic images and video sequences, providing insight into both architecture and dynamics of the cortical cytoskeleton.

Live-Cell Imaging of Fluorescently Tagged Phloem Proteins with Confocal Microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy can enable observation of phloem cells in living tissues. Here we describe live imaging of phloem cells in the leaves and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana using fluorescently tagged proteins, either expressed in the vasculature using phloem specific promoters or constitutively expressed reference marker lines. Now, the majority of phloem cell types can be identified, allowing a precise cellular and subcellular localization of phloem proteins.

Single-point ACT2 gene mutation in the Arabidopsis root hair mutant der1-3 affects overall actin organization, root growth and plant development

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The actin cytoskeleton forms a dynamic network in plant cells. A single-point mutation in the DER1 (deformed root hairs1) locus located in the sequence of ACTIN2, a gene for major actin in vegetative tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, leads to impaired root hair development (Ringli C, Baumberger N, Diet A, Frey B, Keller B. 2002. ACTIN2 is essential for bulge site selection and tip growth during root hair development of Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology129: 1464-1472). Only root hair phenotypes have been described so far in der1 mutants, but here we demonstrate obvious aberrations in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and overall plant development.

METHODS

Organization of the actin cytoskeleton in epidermal cells of cotyledons, hypocotyls and roots was studied qualitatively and quantitatively by live-cell imaging of transgenic lines carrying the GFP-FABD2 fusion protein and in fixed cells after phalloidin labelling. Patterns of root growth were characterized by FM4-64 vital staining, light-sheet microscopy imaging and microtubule immunolabelling. Plant phenotyping included analyses of germination, root growth and plant biomass.

KEY RESULTS

Speed of germination, plant fresh weight and total leaf area were significantly reduced in the der1-3 mutant in comparison with the C24 wild-type. Actin filaments in root, hypocotyl and cotyledon epidermal cells of the der1-3 mutant were shorter, thinner and arranged in more random orientations, while actin bundles were shorter and had altered orientations. The wavy pattern of root growth in der1-3 mutant was connected with higher frequencies of shifted cell division planes (CDPs) in root cells, which was consistent with the shifted positioning of microtubule-based preprophase bands and phragmoplasts. The organization of cortical microtubules in the root cells of the der1-3 mutant, however, was not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Root growth rate of the der1-3 mutant is not reduced, but changes in the actin cytoskeleton organization can induce a wavy root growth pattern through deregulation of CDP orientation. The results suggest that the der1-3 mutation in the ACT2 gene does not influence solely root hair formation process, but also has more general effects on the actin cytoskeleton, plant growth and development.

Arabidopsis vegetative actin isoforms, AtACT2 and AtACT7, generate distinct filament arrays in living plant cells

Flowering plants express multiple actin isoforms. Previous studies suggest that individual actin isoforms have specific functions; however, the subcellular localization of actin isoforms in plant cells remains obscure. Here, we transiently expressed and observed major Arabidopsis vegetative actin isoforms, AtACT2 and AtACT7, as fluorescent-fusion proteins. By optimizing the linker sequence between fluorescent protein and actin, we succeeded in observing filaments that contained these expressed actin isoforms fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Different colored fluorescent proteins fused with AtACT2 and AtACT7 and co-expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana mesophyll cells co-polymerized in a segregated manner along filaments. In epidermal cells, surprisingly, AtACT2 and AtACT7 tended to polymerize into different types of filaments. AtACT2 was incorporated into thinner filaments, whereas AtACT7 was incorporated into thick bundles. We conclude that different actin isoforms are capable of constructing unique filament arrays, depending on the cell type or tissue. Interestingly, staining patterns induced by two indirect actin filament probes, Lifeact and mTalin1, were different between filaments containing AtACT2 and those containing AtACT7. We suggest that filaments containing different actin isoforms bind specific actin-binding proteins in vivo, since the two probes comprise actin-binding domains from different actin-binding proteins.

A toolkit for studying cellular reorganization during early embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Considerable progress has been made in understanding the influence of physical and genetic factors on the patterns of cell division in various model systems. However, how each of these factors directs changes in subcellular structures has remained unclear. Generic machineries for the execution of cell expansion and division have been characterized, but how these are influenced by genetic regulators and physical cell properties remains an open question. To a large degree, the complexity of growing post-embryonic tissues and a lack of precise predictability have prevented the extraction of rigid correlations between subcellular structures and future orientation of cell division. The Arabidopsis embryo offers an exquisitely predictable and simple model for studying such correlations, but so far the tools and methodology for studying subcellular structures in the early embryo have been lacking. Here, we describe a set of markers to visualize a range of subcellular structures in the early Arabidopsis embryo. We have designed a series of fluorescent cellular reporters optimized for embryos, and demonstrate the effectiveness of using these 'ACE' reporters with simple three-dimensional imaging procedures that preserve delicate cellular structures. We describe the ontogeny of subcellular structures in the early embryo and find that central/peripheral cell polarity is established much earlier than suspected. In addition, we show that the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton has distinct topologies in the embryo. These tools and methods will allow detailed analysis of the events of cellular reorganization that underlie morphogenesis in the Arabidopsis embryo.

Actin-mediated movement of chloroplasts

Plants are sessile and require diverse strategies to adapt to fluctuations in the surrounding light conditions. Consequently, the photorelocation movement of chloroplasts is essential to prevent damages that are induced by intense light (avoidance response) and to ensure efficient photosynthetic activities under weak light conditions (accumulation response). The mechanisms that underlie chloroplast movements have been revealed through analysis of the behavior of individual chloroplasts and it has been found that these organelles can move in any direction without turning. This implies that any part of the chloroplast periphery can function as the leading or trailing edge during movement. This ability is mediated by a special structure, which consists of short actin filaments that are polymerized at the leading edge of moving chloroplasts and are specifically localized in the space between the chloroplast and the plasma membrane, and is called chloroplast-actin. In addition, several of the genes that encode proteins that are involved in chloroplast-actin polymerization or maintenance have been identified. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms that regulate chloroplast movements through polymerization of the chloroplast-actin and propose a model for actin-driven chloroplast photorelocation movement.

Subcellular Localization Screening of Colletotrichum higginsianum Effector Candidates Identifies Fungal Proteins Targeted to Plant Peroxisomes, Golgi Bodies, and Microtubules

The genome of the hemibiotrophic anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum higginsianum, encodes a large inventory of putative secreted effector proteins that are sequentially expressed at different stages of plant infection, namely appressorium-mediated penetration, biotrophy and necrotrophy. However, the destinations to which these proteins are addressed inside plant cells are unknown. In the present study, we selected 61 putative effector genes that are highly induced in appressoria and/or biotrophic hyphae. We then used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to transiently express them as N-terminal fusions with fluorescent proteins in cells of Nicotiana benthamiana for imaging by confocal microscopy. Plant compartments labeled by the fusion proteins in N. benthamiana were validated by co-localization with specific organelle markers, by transient expression of the proteins in the true host plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, and by transmission electron microscopy-immunogold labeling. Among those proteins for which specific subcellular localizations could be verified, nine were imported into plant nuclei, three were imported into the matrix of peroxisomes, three decorated cortical microtubule arrays and one labeled Golgi stacks. Two peroxisome-targeted proteins harbored canonical C-terminal tripeptide signals for peroxisome import via the PTS1 (peroxisomal targeting signal 1) pathway, and we showed that these signals are essential for their peroxisome localization. Our findings provide valuable information about which host processes are potentially manipulated by this pathogen, and also reveal plant peroxisomes, microtubules, and Golgi as novel targets for fungal effectors.

An automated quantitative image analysis tool for the identification of microtubule patterns in plants

High throughput confocal imaging poses challenges in the computational image analysis of complex subcellular structures such as the microtubule cytoskeleton. Here, we developed CellArchitect, an automated image analysis tool that quantifies changes to subcellular patterns illustrated by microtubule markers in plants. We screened microtubule-targeted herbicides and demonstrate that high throughput confocal imaging with integrated image analysis by CellArchitect can distinguish effects induced by the known herbicides indaziflam and trifluralin. The same platform was used to examine 6 other compounds with herbicidal activity, and at least 3 different effects induced by these compounds were profiled. We further show that CellArchitect can detect subcellular patterns tagged by actin and endoplasmic reticulum markers. Thus, the platform developed here can be used to automate image analysis of complex subcellular patterns for purposes such as herbicide discovery and mode of action characterisation. The capacity to use this tool to quantitatively characterize cellular responses lends itself to application across many areas of biology.

Actin filament reorganisation controlled by the SCAR/WAVE complex mediates stomatal response to darkness

Stomata respond to darkness by closing to prevent excessive water loss during the night. Although the reorganisation of actin filaments during stomatal closure is documented, the underlying mechanisms responsible for dark-induced cytoskeletal arrangement remain largely unknown. We used genetic, physiological and cell biological approaches to show that reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton is required for dark-induced stomatal closure. The opal5 mutant does not close in response to darkness but exhibits wild-type (WT) behaviour when exposed to abscisic acid (ABA) or CaCl2 . The mutation was mapped to At5g18410, encoding the PIR/SRA1/KLK subunit of the ArabidopsisSCAR/WAVE complex. Stomata of an independent allele of the PIR gene (Atpir-1) showed reduced sensitivity to darkness and F1 progenies of the cross between opal5 and Atpir-1 displayed distorted leaf trichomes, suggesting that the two mutants are allelic. Darkness induced changes in the extent of actin filament bundling in WT. These were abolished in opal5. Disruption of filamentous actin using latrunculin B or cytochalasin D restored wild-type stomatal sensitivity to darkness in opal5. Our findings suggest that the stomatal response to darkness is mediated by reorganisation of guard cell actin filaments, a process that is finely tuned by the conserved SCAR/WAVE-Arp2/3 actin regulatory module.

Plasmolysis-deplasmolysis causes changes in endoplasmic reticulum form, movement, flow, and cytoskeletal association

Plasmolysis of hypocotyl cells of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana diminishes the dynamics of the remodeling of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the central protoplast, namely that withdrawn from the cell wall, and more persistent cisternae are formed, yet little change in the actin network in the protoplast occurs. Also, protein flow within the ER network in the protoplast, as detected with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), is not affected by plasmolysis. After plasmolysis, another network of strictly tubular ER remains attached to the plasma membrane-wall interface and is contained within the Hechtian strands and reticulum. FRAP studies indicate that protein flow within these ER tubules diminishes. Actin is largely absent from the Hechtian reticulum and the ER becomes primarily associated with altered, branched microtubules. The smaller volume of the central protoplast is accompanied by decreased movement rates of tubules, cisternae, and spheroid organelles, but this reduced movement is not readily reversed by the increase in volume that accompanies deplasmolysis.

Direct Comparison of the Performance of Commonly Employed In Vivo F-actin Markers (Lifeact-YFP, YFP-mTn and YFP-FABD2) in Tobacco Pollen Tubes

In vivo markers for F-actin organization and dynamics are extensively used to investigate cellular functions of the actin cytoskeleton, which are essential for plant development and pathogen defense. The most widely employed markers are GFP variants fused to F-actin binding domains of mouse talin (GFP-mTn), Arabidopsis fimbrin1 (GFP-FABD2) or yeast Abp140 (Lifeact-GFP). Although numerous reports describing applications of one, or occasionally more, of these markers, are available in the literature, a direct quantitative comparison of the performance of all three markers at different expression levels has been missing. Here, we analyze F-actin organization and growth rate displayed by tobacco pollen tubes expressing YFP-mTn, YFP-FABD2 or Lifeact-YFP at different levels. Results obtained establish that: (1) all markers strongly affect F-actin organization and cell expansion at high expression levels, (2) YFP-mTn and Lifeact-YFP non-invasively label the same F-actin structures (longitudinally oriented filaments in the shank, a subapical fringe) at low expression levels, (3) Lifeact-YFP displays a somewhat lower potential to affect F-actin organization and cell expansion than YFP-mTn, and (4) YFP-FABD2 generally fails to label F-actin structures at the pollen tube tip and affects F-actin organization as well as cell expansion already at lowest expression levels. As pointed out in the discussion, these observations (1) are also meaningful for F-actin labeling in other cell types, which generally respond less sensitively to F-actin perturbation than pollen tubes, (2) help selecting suitable markers for future F-actin labeling experiments, and (3) support the assessment of a substantial amount of published data resulting from such experiments.

A new kymogram-based method reveals unexpected effects of marker protein expression and spatial anisotropy of cytoskeletal dynamics in plant cell cortex

BACKGROUND

Cytoskeleton can be observed in live plant cells in situ with high spatial and temporal resolution using a combination of specific fluorescent protein tag expression and advanced microscopy methods such as spinning disc confocal microscopy (SDCM) or variable angle epifluorescence microscopy (VAEM). Existing methods for quantifying cytoskeletal dynamics are often either based on laborious manual structure tracking, or depend on costly commercial software. Current automated methods also do not readily allow separate measurements of structure lifetime, lateral mobility, and spatial anisotropy of these parameters.

RESULTS

We developed a new freeware-based, operational system-independent semi-manual technique for analyzing VAEM or SDCM data, QuACK (Quantitative Analysis of Cytoskeletal Kymograms), and validated it on data from Arabidopsis thaliana fh1 formin mutants, previously shown by conventional methods to exhibit altered actin and microtubule dynamics compared to the wild type. Besides of confirming the published mutant phenotype, QuACK was used to characterize surprising differential effects of various fluorescent protein tags fused to the Lifeact actin probe on actin dynamics in A. thaliana cotyledon epidermis. In particular, Lifeact-YFP slowed down actin dynamics compared to Lifeact-GFP at marker expression levels causing no macroscopically noticeable phenotypic alterations, although the two fluorophores are nearly identical. We could also demonstrate the expected, but previously undocumented, anisotropy of cytoskeletal dynamics in elongated epidermal cells of A. thaliana petioles and hypocotyls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our new method for evaluating plant cytoskeletal dynamics has several advantages over existing techniques. It is intuitive, rapid compared to fully manual approaches, based on the free ImageJ software (including macros we provide here for download), and allows measurement of multiple parameters. Our approach was already used to document unexpected differences in actin mobility in transgenic A. thaliana expressing Lifeact fusion proteins with different fluorophores, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation of experimental results, as well as to reveal hitherto uncharacterized anisotropy of cytoskeletal mobility in elongated plant cells.

Alfalfa Root Growth Rate Correlates with Progression of Microtubules during Mitosis and Cytokinesis as Revealed by Environmental Light-Sheet Microscopy

Cell division and expansion are two fundamental biological processes supporting indeterminate root growth and development of plants. Quantitative evaluations of cell divisions related to root growth analyses have been performed in several model crop and non-crop plant species, but not in important legume plant Medicago sativa. Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is an advanced imaging technique widely used in animal developmental biology, providing efficient fast optical sectioning under physiological conditions with considerably reduced phototoxicity and photobleaching. Long-term 4D imaging of living plants offers advantages for developmental cell biology not available in other microscopy approaches. Recently, LSFM was implemented in plant developmental biology studies, however, it is largely restricted to the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Cellular and subcellular events in crop species and robust plant samples have not been studied by this method yet. Therefore we performed LSFM long-term live imaging of growing root tips of transgenic alfalfa plants expressing the fluorescent molecular marker for the microtubule-binding domain (GFP-MBD), in order to study dynamic patterns of microtubule arrays during mitotic cell division. Quantitative evaluations of cell division progress in the two root tissues (epidermis and cortex) clearly indicate that root growth rate is correlated with duration of cell division in alfalfa roots. Our results favor non-invasive environmental LSFM as one of the most suitable methods for qualitative and quantitative cellular and developmental imaging of living transgenic legume crops.

Arabidopsis SYT1 maintains stability of cortical endoplasmic reticulum networks and VAP27-1-enriched endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane contact sites

Arabidopsis synaptotagmin 1 (SYT1) is localized on the endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane (ER-PM) contact sites in leaf and root cells. The ER-PM localization of Arabidopsis SYT1 resembles that of the extended synaptotagmins (E-SYTs) in animal cells. In mammals, E-SYTs have been shown to regulate calcium signaling, lipid transfer, and endocytosis. Arabidopsis SYT1 was reported to be essential for maintaining cell integrity and virus movement. This study provides detailed insight into the subcellular localization of SYT1 and VAP27-1, another ER-PM-tethering protein. SYT1 and VAP27-1 were shown to be localized on distinct ER-PM contact sites. The VAP27-1-enriched ER-PM contact sites (V-EPCSs) were always in contact with the SYT1-enriched ER-PM contact sites (S-EPCSs). The V-EPCSs still existed in the leaf epidermal cells of the SYT1 null mutant; however, they were less stable than those in the wild type. The polygonal networks of cortical ER disassembled and the mobility of VAP27-1 protein on the ER-PM contact sites increased in leaf cells of the SYT1 null mutant. These results suggest that SYT1 is responsible for stabilizing the ER network and V-EPCSs.

Subcellular localizations of Arabidopsis myotubularins MTM1 and MTM2 suggest possible functions in vesicular trafficking between ER and cis-Golgi

The two Arabidopsis genes AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 encode highly similar phosphoinositide 3-phosphatases from the myotubularin family. Despite the high-level conservation of structure and biochemical activities, their physiological roles have significantly diverged. The nature of a membrane and the concentrations of their membrane-anchored substrates (PtdIns3P or PtdIns3,5P2) and/or products (PtdIns5P and PtdIns) are considered critical for determining the functional specificity of myotubularins. We have performed comprehensive analyses of the subcellular localization of AtMTM1 and AtMTM2 using a variety of specific constructs transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermal cells under the control of 35S promoter. AtMTM1 co-localized preferentially with cis-Golgi membranes, while AtMTM2 associated predominantly with ER membranes. In a stark contrast with animal/human MTMs, neither AtMTM1 nor AtMTM2 co-localizes with early or late endosomes or with TGN/EE compartments, making them unlikely participants in the endosomal trafficking system. Localization of the AtMTM2 is sensitive to cold and osmotic stress challenges. In contrast to animal myotubularins, Arabidopsis myotubularins do not associate with endosomes. Our results suggest that Arabidopsis myotubularins play a role in the vesicular trafficking between ER exit sites and cis-Golgi elements. The significance of these results is discussed also in the context of stress biology and plant autophagy.

Actin3 promoter reveals undulating F-actin bundles at shanks and dynamic F-actin meshworks at tips of tip-growing pollen tubes

The dynamic actin cytoskeleton of pollen tubes is both the driver of the tip growth and the organizer of cell polarity. In order to understand this fast re-arranging cytoskeletal system, we need reliable constructs expressed under relevant promoters. Here we are reporting that the Lifeact reporter, expressed under the pollen-specific Actin3 promoter, visualizes very dynamic F-actin elements both in germinating pollen grains and tip-growing pollen tubes. Importantly, we have documented very active actin polymerization at the cell periphery, especially in the bulging area during pollen germination and in the apical clear zone. Expression of the Lifeact reporter under control of the pollen-specific Actin3 promoter revealed 2 new aspects: (i) long F-actin bundles in pollen tube shanks are dynamic, showing undulating movements, (ii) subapical 'actin collars' or 'fringes' are absent.

Actin-Dynamics in Plant Cells: The Function of Actin-Perturbing Substances: Jasplakinolide, Chondramides, Phalloidin, Cytochalasins, and Latrunculins

This chapter gives an overview of the most common F-actin-perturbing substances that are used to study actin dynamics in living plant cells in studies on morphogenesis, motility, organelle movement, or when apoptosis has to be induced. These substances can be divided into two major subclasses: F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing substances like jasplakinolide and chondramides and F-actin-severing compounds like chytochalasins and latrunculins. Jasplakinolide was originally isolated form a marine sponge, and can now be synthesized and has become commercially available, which is responsible for its wide distribution as membrane-permeable F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing agent, which may even have anticancer activities. Cytochalasins, derived from fungi, show an F-actin-severing function and many derivatives are commercially available (A, B, C, D, E, H, J), also making it a widely used compound for F-actin disruption. The same can be stated for latrunculins (A, B), derived from red sea sponges; however the mode of action is different by binding to G-actin and inhibiting incorporation into the filament. In the case of swinholide a stable complex with actin dimers is formed resulting also in severing of F-actin. For influencing F-actin dynamics in plant cells only membrane permeable drugs are useful in a broad range. We however introduce also the phallotoxins and synthetic derivatives, as they are widely used to visualize F-actin in fixed cells. A particular uptake mechanism has been shown for hepatocytes, but has also been described in siphonal giant algae. In the present chapter the focus is set on F-actin dynamics in plant cells where alterations in cytoplasmic streaming can be particularly well studied; however methods by fluorescence applications including phalloidin and antibody staining as well as immunofluorescence-localization of the inhibitor drugs are given.

Keeping it all together: auxin-actin crosstalk in plant development

Polar auxin transport and the action of the actin cytoskeleton are tightly interconnected, which is documented by the finding that auxin transporters reach their final destination by active movement of secretory vesicles along F-actin tracks. Moreover, auxin transporter polarity and flexibility is thought to depend on transporter cycling that requires endocytosis and exocytosis of vesicles. In this context, we have reviewed the current literature on an involvement of the actin cytoskeleton in polar auxin transport and identify known similarities and differences in its structure, function and dynamics in comparison to non-plant organisms. By describing how auxin modulates actin expression and actin organization and how actin and its stability affects auxin-transporter endocytosis and recycling, we discuss the current knowledge on regulatory auxin-actin feedback loops. We focus on known effects of auxin and of auxin transport inhibitors on the stability and organization of actin and examine the functionality of auxin and/or auxin transport inhibitor-binding proteins with respect to their suitability to integrate auxin/auxin transport inhibitor action. Finally, we indicate current difficulties in the interpretation of organ, time and concentration-dependent auxin/auxin transport inhibitor treatments and formulate simple future experimental guidelines.

Heterologous DNA Uptake in Cultured Symbiodinium spp. Aided by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Plant-targeted pCB302 plasmids containing sequences encoding gfp fusions with a microtubule-binding domain; gfp with the fimbrin actin-binding domain 2; and gfp with AtRACK1C from Arabidopsis thaliana, all harbored in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, were used to assay heterologous expression on three different clades of the photosynthetic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium. Accessibility to the resistant cell wall and through the plasma membrane of these dinoflagellates was gained after brief but vigorous shaking in the presence of glass beads and polyethylene glycol. A resistance gene to the herbicide Basta allowed appropriate selection of the cells expressing the hybrid proteins, which showed a characteristic green fluorescence, although they appeared to lose their photosynthetic pigments and did not further divide. Cell GFP expression frequency measured as green fluorescence emission yielded 839 per every 10⁶ cells for Symbiodinium kawagutii, followed by 640 and 460 per every 10⁶ cells for Symbiodinium microadriaticum and Symbiodinium sp. Mf11, respectively. Genomic PCR with specific primers amplified the AtRACK1C and gfp sequences after selection in all clades, thus revealing their presence in the cells. RT-PCR from RNA of S. kawagutii co-incubated with A. tumefaciens harboring each of the three vectors with their respective constructs, amplified products corresponding to the heterologous gfp sequence while no products were obtained from three distinct negative controls. The reported procedure shows that mild abrasion followed by co-incubation with A. tumefaciens harboring heterologous plasmids with CaMV35S and nos promoters can lead to expression of the encoded proteins into the Symbiodinium cells in culture. Despite the obvious drawbacks of the procedure, this is an important first step towards a stable transformation of Symbiodinium.

Transient plant transformation mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: Principles, methods and applications

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is widely used as a versatile tool for development of stably transformed model plants and crops. However, the development of Agrobacterium based transient plant transformation methods attracted substantial attention in recent years. Transient transformation methods offer several applications advancing stable transformations such as rapid and scalable recombinant protein production and in planta functional genomics studies. Herein, we highlight Agrobacterium and plant genetics factors affecting transfer of T-DNA from Agrobacterium into the plant cell nucleus and subsequent transient transgene expression. We also review recent methods concerning Agrobacterium mediated transient transformation of model plants and crops and outline key physical, physiological and genetic factors leading to their successful establishment. Of interest are especially Agrobacterium based reverse genetics studies in economically important crops relying on use of RNA interference (RNAi) or virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology. The applications of Agrobacterium based transient plant transformation technology in biotech industry are presented in thorough detail. These involve production of recombinant proteins (plantibodies, vaccines and therapeutics) and effectoromics-assisted breeding of late blight resistance in potato. In addition, we also discuss biotechnological potential of recombinant GFP technology and present own examples of successful Agrobacterium mediated transient plant transformations.

TYPE-ONE PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE4 regulates pavement cell interdigitation by modulating PIN-FORMED1 polarity and trafficking in Arabidopsis

In plants, cell morphogenesis is dependent on intercellular auxin accumulation. The polar subcellular localization of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) protein is crucial for this process. Previous studies have shown that the protein kinase PINOID (PID) and protein phosphatase6-type phosphatase holoenzyme regulate the phosphorylation status of PIN1 in root tips and shoot apices. Here, we show that a type-one protein phosphatase, TOPP4, is essential for the formation of interdigitated pavement cell (PC) pattern in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf. The dominant-negative mutant topp4-1 showed severely inhibited interdigitated PC growth. Expression of topp4-1 gene in wild-type plants recapitulated the PC defects in the mutant. Genetic analyses suggested that TOPP4 and PIN1 likely function in the same pathway to regulate PC morphogenesis. Furthermore, colocalization, in vitro and in vivo protein interaction studies, and dephosphorylation assays revealed that TOPP4 mediated PIN1 polar localization and endocytic trafficking in PCs by acting antagonistically with PID to modulate the phosphorylation status of PIN1. In addition, TOPP4 affects the cytoskeleton pattern through the Rho of Plant GTPase-dependent auxin-signaling pathway. Therefore, we conclude that TOPP4-regulated PIN1 polar targeting through direct dephosphorylation is crucial for PC morphogenesis in the Arabidopsis leaf.

Endosomal Interactions during Root Hair Growth

The dynamic localization of endosomal compartments labeled with targeted fluorescent protein tags is routinely followed by time lapse fluorescence microscopy approaches and single particle tracking algorithms. In this way trajectories of individual endosomes can be mapped and linked to physiological processes as cell growth. However, other aspects of dynamic behavior including endosomal interactions are difficult to follow in this manner. Therefore, we characterized the localization and dynamic properties of early and late endosomes throughout the entire course of root hair formation by means of spinning disc time lapse imaging and post-acquisition automated multitracking and quantitative analysis. Our results show differential motile behavior of early and late endosomes and interactions of late endosomes that may be specified to particular root hair domains. Detailed data analysis revealed a particular transient interaction between late endosomes-termed herein as dancing-endosomes-which is not concluding to vesicular fusion. Endosomes preferentially located in the root hair tip interacted as dancing-endosomes and traveled short distances during this interaction. Finally, sizes of early and late endosomes were addressed by means of super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to corroborate measurements on the spinning disc. This is a first study providing quantitative microscopic data on dynamic spatio-temporal interactions of endosomes during root hair tip growth.