About this Research Topic
Plasmodesmata are membrane-lined cytoplasmic nanopores that bridge adjacent plant cells enabling direct communication with one another. They facilitate the exchange of numerous metabolites and signaling molecules between cells and enable connected cells to coordinate their biochemical, physiological, and developmental processes that are required for plants to form and function as complex multicellular organisms. Plasmodesmata are also critical for phloem-mediated long-distance communication between organs and are exploited by viruses and viroids to spread infection both locally and systemically. Despite being the subject of intense investigation over the last several decades, plasmodesmata are still poorly understood and remain a mystery of plant biology. The plasmodesmal structure, cell-cell interactions, regulation of transport, and role in cellular signalling all require further investigation. However, the latest advances are revealing promising new insights into plasmodesmal structure and function and point towards a central role of plasmodesmata in plant signaling and defense.
This Research Topic aims to collect articles addressing the latest advances in plasmodesmata research that focus on but are not limited to the following aspects:
• 3-D imaging and modeling of plasmodesmal structure;
• Computational and biophysical modeling of plasmodesmal permeability;
• Role of ER, cytoskeleton, and membrane contact sites in plasmodesmal structure and function;
• Plasmodesmata biogenesis and changes in frequency and distribution in response to physiological and developmental cues;
• Role of plasmodesmata in the establishment of symplasmic and symplastic domains, in cell fate decisions, and developmental processes;
• Mechanisms of molecular targeting to plasmodesmata and cell-to-cell movement; Role of plasmodesmata in biotic and abiotic stress signaling;
• Role of plasmodesmata in the interaction of plants with viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including symbionts;
• Function of plasmodesmata in long-distance transport and systemic signaling, including electrical signaling;
• Evolution of plasmodesmata structure and function in seed and non-seed plants.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Short Communications, Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, or Hypotheses.
This Research Topic aims to collect articles addressing the latest advances in plasmodesmata research that focus on but are not limited to the following aspects:
• 3-D imaging and modeling of plasmodesmal structure;
• Computational and biophysical modeling of plasmodesmal permeability;
• Role of ER, cytoskeleton, and membrane contact sites in plasmodesmal structure and function;
• Plasmodesmata biogenesis and changes in frequency and distribution in response to physiological and developmental cues;
• Role of plasmodesmata in the establishment of symplasmic and symplastic domains, in cell fate decisions, and developmental processes;
• Mechanisms of molecular targeting to plasmodesmata and cell-to-cell movement; Role of plasmodesmata in biotic and abiotic stress signaling;
• Role of plasmodesmata in the interaction of plants with viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including symbionts;
• Function of plasmodesmata in long-distance transport and systemic signaling, including electrical signaling;
• Evolution of plasmodesmata structure and function in seed and non-seed plants.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Short Communications, Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, or Hypotheses.
Keywords: Plasmodesmata, Transport, Long-distance communication, Structure, Cell interactions, Plant-pathogen interaction
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
