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When NCAPP1 (blue) is blocked (bottom), its cargo (orange) does not pass through plasmodesmata. Lucas/AAAS

In plants, cell-to-cell communication is achieved through plasmodesmata, unique intercellular organelles that establish cytoplasmic and ER continuity between neighboring cells. Jung-Youn Lee, William Lucas (University of California, Davis, CA), and colleagues now identify a selective gatekeeper for this system, which they call NCAPP1.

Plasmodesmata are the conduits for many non–cell-autonomous proteins (NCAPs). Lee et al. figured that some NCAPs might bind to plasmodesmal proteins, so they used an affinity column based on an NCAP called CmPP16 and a cell wall fraction highly enriched for plasmodesmal proteins to identify NCAPP1.

As expected for a plasmodesmal function, colocalization of NCAPP1 and CmPP16 was observed at the ER near the orifice to plasmodesmata. A dominant–negative form of NCAPP1 altered trafficking of the NCAPs CmPP16, LEAFY, and the movement protein of Tobacco mosaic virus, but left trafficking of other NCAPs unaffected. Thus, NCAP movement is a regulated process, similar to nuclear pore trafficking. Lucas' group is now purifying other potential plasmodesmal proteins that traffic NCAPP1-independent cargos.

Reference:

Lee, J.-Y., et al. 2003. Science. 299:392–396.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Nicole LeBrasseur

lebrasn{at}rockefeller.edu

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This Article PDF (Full Text) PPT slides of all figures Alert me when this article is cited Services Email this article Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new content in the JCB Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LeBrasseur, N. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by LeBrasseur, N. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?