Molecular understanding of plant cell division patterns

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15128
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44030:Plant molecular biology and physiology-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University (2022); National Institute of Genetics (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Takema 名古屋大学, 理学研究科, 助教 (60759497)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 微小管 / 細胞質分裂 / 細胞分裂 / 紡錘体 / 微小管付随タンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cell division is a fundamental biological process for forming the body of an organism. The division mode of plant cells can be determined using the cell division plane at appropriate positions and angles by constructing a partition called a cell plate on the plane of division. In this study, we focused on plant-specific microtubule structures to understand this plant-specific mode of division. As a result, we have clarified the microtubule structures that determine the spindle poles in land plants. The structures are formed around the nuclear envelope before spindle formation and is thought to be responsible for microtubule polymerization for the formation of mitotic spindle. This result reveals part of the molecular mechanism of the unique cell division mode in plants, in which cells divide without using a centrosome.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

約５億年前に植物は他の生物に先駆けて陸上進出を果たした。陸上進出の過程で水中に暮らしていた緑藻類の一部が新たな細胞分裂様式を生み出し、現生の陸上植物の細胞分裂の仕組みが作られていった。緑藻類が生み出した細胞分裂様式の大きな特徴として細胞板の形成や中心体の損失が挙げられる。細胞板の形成機構についてはこれまで多くの先行研究のもとその仕組みの全容が明らかになりつつある。一方で、中心体を用いない細胞分裂の仕組みの理解は全くといいほど進んでいない。本研究により陸上植物の細胞分裂様式の理解が進み、学術的な意義の他に、農産物の増産や、作物の形作り等、育種への応用も期待される。