title: Intercellular trafficking of macromolecules during embryogenesis.
abstract: Plasmodesmata provide routes for communication and nutrient transfer between plant cells by interconnecting the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. A simple fluorescent tracer-loading assay was developed to monitor patterns of cell to cell transport via plasmodesmata specifically during embryogenesis. A developmental transition in plasmodesmatal size exclusion limit was found to occur at the torpedo stage of embryogenesis in Arabidopsis; at this time, plasmodesmata are downregulated, allowing transport of small (approximately 0.5 kDa) but not large (approximately 10 kDa) tracers. This assay system was used to screen for embryo defective mutants, designated increased size exclusion limit of plasmodesmata that maintain dilated plasmodesmata at the torpedo stage.
authors: Department of Biology, Sungshin Women's University, Korea.
authors: Insoon
authors: I
authors: Kim
authors: Patricia C
authors: PC
authors: Zambryski
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010942:Plant Viruses / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes