Live cell imaging reveals structural associations between the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton in Arabidopsis

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Arun Sampathkumar
  • Jelmer J. Lindeboom
  • Seth Debolt
  • Ryan Gutierrez
  • David W. Ehrhardt
  • Tijs Ketelaar
  • Persson, Staffan

In eukaryotic cells, the actin and microtubule (MT) cytoskeletal networks are dynamic structures that organize intracellular processes and facilitate their rapid reorganization. In plant cells, actin filaments (AFs) and MTs are essential for cell growth and morphogenesis. However, dynamic interactions between these two essential components in live cells have not been explored. Here, we use spinning-disc confocal microscopy to dissect interaction and cooperation between cortical AFs and MTs in Arabidopsis thaliana, utilizing fluorescent reporter constructs for both components. Quantitative analyses revealed altered AF dynamics associated with the positions and orientations of cortical MTs. Reorganization and reassembly of the AF array was dependent on the MTs following drug-induced depolymerization, whereby short AFs initially appeared colocalized with MTs, and displayed motility along MTs. We also observed that light-induced reorganization of MTs occurred in concert with changes in AF behavior. Our results indicate dynamic interaction between the cortical actin and MT cytoskeletons in interphase plant cells.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPlant Cell
Volume23
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)2302-2313
Number of pages12
ISSN1040-4651
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

ID: 273374076