Plant cytokinesis: a tale of membrane traffic and fusion

Biochem Soc Trans. 2015 Feb;43(1):73-8. doi: 10.1042/BST20140246.

Abstract

Cytokinesis separates the forming daughter cells. Higher plants have lost the ability to constrict the plasma membrane (PM) in the division plane. Instead, trans-Golgi network (TGN)-derived membrane vesicles are targeted to the centre of the division plane and generate, by homotypic fusion, the partitioning membrane named cell plate (CP). The CP expands in a centrifugal fashion until its margin fuses with the PM at the cortical division site. Mutant screens in Arabidopsis have identified a cytokinesis-specific syntaxin named KNOLLE and an interacting Sec1/Munc18 (SM) protein named KEULE both of which are required for vesicle fusion during cytokinesis. KNOLLE is only made during M-phase, targeted to the division plane and degraded in the vacuole at the end of cytokinesis. Here we address mechanisms of KNOLLE trafficking and interaction of KNOLLE with different soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) partners and with SM-protein KEULE, ensuring membrane fusion in cytokinesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cytokinesis*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Fusion
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins