The Plant Cytoskeleton (Advances in Plant Biology Book 2)

Plant cells house highly dynamic cytoskeletal networks of microtubules and actin microfilaments. They constantly undergo remodeling to fulfill their roles in supporting cell division, enlargement, and differentiation. Following early studies on structural aspects of the networks, recent breakthroughs have connected them with more and more intracellular events essential for plant growth and development. Advanced technologies in cell biology (live-cell imaging in particular), molecular genetics, genomics, and proteomics have revolutionized this field of study. Stories summarized in this book may inspire enthusiastic scientists to pursue new directions toward understanding functions of the plant cytoskeleton. The Plant Cytoskeleton is divided into three sections: 1) Molecular Basis of the Plant Cytoskeleton; 2) Cytoskeletal Reorganization in Plant Cell Division; and 3) The Cytoskeleton in Plant Growth and Development. This book is aimed at serving as a resource for anyone who wishes to learn about the plant cytoskeleton beyond ordinary textbooks. Bo Liu is professor in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of California in Davis, California. He received his B.S. degree in cell biology and genetics and M.S. degree in cell biology from Peking University in Beijing, China, and Ph.D. degree in botany from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Research in his laboratory is focused on studying the cytoskeletal basis of intracellular motility in flowering plants and filamentous fungi. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Actin Functions in the Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Compartments....Pages 3-32 Plant Myosins....Pages 33-56 Actin-Binding Proteins and Actin Dynamics in Plant Cells....Pages 57-80 Microtubule Nucleation and Organization in Plant Cells....Pages 81-94 Microtubule Plus End-Tracking Proteins and Their Activities in Plants....Pages 95-117 Microtubule Motor Proteins in the Eukaryotic Green Lineage: Functions and Regulation....Pages 119-141 Front Matter....Pages 143-143 The Preprophase Band and Division Site Determination in Land Plants....Pages 145-185 Acentrosomal Spindle Formation Through the Heroic Age of Microscopy: Past Techniques, Present Thoughts, and Future Directions....Pages 187-205 Microtubule Organization in the Phragmoplast....Pages 207-225 Front Matter....Pages 227-227 Signaling to the Cytoskeleton in Diffuse Cell Growth....Pages 229-243 Microtubule and Cell Shape Determination....Pages 245-257 Cytoskeleton and Root Hair Growth....Pages 259-275 Microtubules, MAPs and Xylem Formation....Pages 277-306 The Cytoskeleton and Root Growth Behavior....Pages 307-326 Back Matter....Pages 327-331 Annotation Plant cells house highly dynamic cytoskeletal networks of microtubules and actin microfilaments. They constantly undergo remodeling to fulfill their roles in supporting cell division, enlargement, and differentiation. Following early studies on structural aspects of the networks, recent breakthroughs have connected them with more and more intracellular events essential for plant growth and development. Advanced technologies in cell biology (live-cell imaging in particular), molecular genetics, genomics, and proteomics have revolutionized this field of study. Stories summarized in this book may inspire enthusiastic scientists to pursue new directions toward understanding functions of the plant cytoskeleton. The Plant Cytoskeleton is divided into three sections: 1) Molecular Basis of the Plant Cytoskeleton; 2) Cytoskeletal Reorganization in Plant Cell Division; and 3) The Cytoskeleton in Plant Growth and Development. This book is aimed at serving as a resource for anyone who wishes to learn about the plant cytoskeleton beyond ordinary textbooks