Microtubule Regulation in Plants: From Morphological Development to Stress Adaptation

Abstract

Microtubules (MTs) are essential elements of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton and are critical for various cell functions. During cell division, plant MTs form highly ordered structures, and cortical MTs guide the cell wall cellulose patterns and thus control cell size and shape. Both are important for morphological development and for adjusting plant growth and plasticity under environmental challenges for stress adaptation. Various MT regulators control the dynamics and organization of MTs in diverse cellular processes and response to developmental and environmental cues. This article summarizes the recent progress in plant MT studies from morphological development to stress responses, discusses the latest techniques applied, and encourages more research into plant MT regulation.

Keywords: development; microtubule-associated proteins; microtubules; morphogenesis; patterning; stress adaptation.

Figure 1

Comparison of plant and animal cell division. Plant cell division (A) is characterized by microtubule (MT)-based structures: the preprophase band, the acentrosomal mitotic spindle, and the phragmoplast. In animal cell cytokinesis (B), the contractile ring pinches the cell into two daughter cells, whereas plant phragmoplasts extend and guide vesicle fusion to generate the cell plate.

Figure 2

MT networks in response to environmental stresses. Environmental stresses cause the change in MT networks in plant cells. Insets illustrate MT network changes after pathogen infection and treatments for heat, salinity, and drought stress.