Molecular analysis of the cell plate forming machinery

Abstract

The cell plate is built using Golgi-derived vesicles carrying various proteins, sugars and lipids, which are required for the de novo synthesis of the cell wall during cytokinesis. The processes of vesicle fusion, cell plate expansion and maturation are initiated and controlled by a large number of proteins that serve as structural components, transporters, enzymes, and regulatory elements. Since the identification of phragmoplastin, the first protein marker of the cytokinetic organelle phragmoplast, a number of cell plate-associated proteins have been identified and characterized. Some of these proteins appear to be unique to the process of cell plate formation, while others have functions in different subcellular locations and are recruited to the forming cell plate transiently during cytokinesis. A temporal and spatial orchestration of basic exocytotic and endocytotic processes culminate in to formation of this unique subcellular compartment. Completion of this process in a defined time is essential for a proper cell division. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.