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A 41 kDa protein isolated from maize mesocotyl cell walls immunolocalizes to plasmodesmata

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Summary

Plasmodesmata, dynamic pore structures that traverse plant cell walls, function in cytoplasmic transport between contiguous cells. Cell walls containing embedded plasmodesmata were isolated from mesocotyls of etiolated maize seedlings. Proteins associated with the isolated walls were separated by SDS-PAGE and antibodies were generated against a 41 kDa protein, one of several associated with this wall fraction. Immunoblot analysis showed that the 41 kDa polypeptide was also associated with other subcellular fractions obtained following tissue homogenization and differential centrifugation. The wall associated 41 kDa protein is apparently a peripheral membrane protein since it could be extracted by high salt and high pH. Silver-enhanced immunogold light microscopy showed that the 41 kDa protein was associated with the cell walls of cells both in the stele and cortex. The immunolabeling pattern was transwall and punctate. Electron microscopic immuno-gold labeling localized the polypeptide to plasmodesmata and to electron dense cytoplasmic structures that are apparently Golgi membranes. The significance of the presence of this protein in the Golgi is discussed.

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Abbreviations

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv

    Bernard L. Epel, Lilla Cohen, Guy Kotlizky, Aviva Katz & Avital Yahalom

  2. Department of Virology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen

    Jan W. M. van Lent

Authors
  1. Bernard L. Epel
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  2. Jan W. M. van Lent
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  3. Lilla Cohen
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  4. Guy Kotlizky
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  5. Aviva Katz
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  6. Avital Yahalom
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Epel, B.L., van Lent, J.W.M., Cohen, L. et al. A 41 kDa protein isolated from maize mesocotyl cell walls immunolocalizes to plasmodesmata. Protoplasma 191, 70–78 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01280826

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01280826

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