Elucidation of the functions of actin and actin-microtubule interaction in plant cell wall formation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22664
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0702:Biology at cellular to organismal levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Saku Kijima 国立遺伝学研究所, 遺伝形質研究系, 博士研究員 (90879941)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞骨格 / アクチン / 微小管 / 細胞壁 / シロイヌナズナ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cell wall is one of the most important components for the morphogenesis, which decides individual various cell shapes in plant cells. The molecular functions of microtubules in cell wall formation are well understood. On the other hand, involvement of actin filaments in cell wall formation has been suggested while the specific function is unclear. The purpose of this study was to reveal the functions of actin filaments and the interaction between actin filaments and microtubules during cell wall formation by using xylem vessels as a model tissue of cell wall formation. By combining imaging, genetical and pharmacological analysis, it is suggested that proper cytoskeletal networks are formed by the influence of actin filaments and microtubules each other and following the proper cell wall pattern formation.

Free Research Field

植物分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞骨格は細胞内における様々な機能を担う必須のタンパク質であることから、生命現象を分子レベルで紐解く際にその作用機構の理解は重要である。本研究では細胞壁形成に着目してアクチン繊維の機能と細胞骨格の相互作用の理解を目指した。細胞骨格マーカーを発現するアクチン遺伝子欠損株やアクチンと微小管を同時に観察するマーカーラインの樹立、機能的なアクチン修飾法など本研究を通して今後の細胞骨格研究に有用なツールを開発することができた。これらのツールは今後の本分野の発展に寄与するものである。