Molecular mechanisms controlling pavement cell shape in Arabidopsis leaves

Plant Cell Rep. 2009 Aug;28(8):1147-57. doi: 10.1007/s00299-009-0729-8. Epub 2009 Jun 16.

Abstract

Pavement cells have an interlocking jigsaw puzzle-shaped leaf surface pattern. Twenty-three genes involved in the pavement cell morphogenesis were discovered until now. The mutations of these genes through various means lead to pavement cell shape defects, such as loss or lack of interdigitation, the reduction of lobing, gaps between lobe and neck regions in pavement cells, and distorted trichomes. These phenotypes are affected by the organization of microtubules and microfilaments. Microtubule bands are considered corresponding with the neck regions of the cell, while lobe formation depends on patches of microfilaments. The pathway of Rho of plant (ROP) GTPase signaling cascades regulates overall activity of the cytoskeleton in pavement cells. Some other proteins, in addition to the ROPs, SCAR/WAVE, and ARP2/3 complexes, are also involved in the pavement cell morphogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / genetics
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Shape*
  • Cytoskeleton / genetics*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Microtubules / genetics
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Leaves / cytology*
  • Plant Leaves / genetics

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins