A developmental switch controls cell-to-cell transport in roots via pectin-linked plasmodesmata changes

Article Article scientifique Article A developmental switch controls cell-to-cell transport in roots via pectin-linked plasmodesmata changes eng 2025-08 author Jacquier Lea Marie 0000-0002-7172-3041 Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 917805 author Fiorenza Céleste Aurora Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 985271 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Robe Kevin Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 953715 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Han Jianpu Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 920244 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Schmitt Alexandra Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. author Cleard Karch Fabienne Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 23778 author Fuchs Christelle Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 823460 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Ramakrishna Priya Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 907419 author Loubery Sylvain Philippe 0000-0001-7061-9456 Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 669207 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Kalmbach Lothar Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. author Legendre Lefebvre Linnka Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 134661 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) author Barberon Marie 0000-0002-8169-8580 Department of Plant Sciences, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: marie.barberon@unige.ch. 898432 Département des sciences végétales (BIVEG) 1310-1329 10.1016/j.molp.2025.07.004 40682275 1674-2052 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1674205225002333 Cell-to-cell communication is fundamental to multicellular life. In plants, plasmodesmata-cytoplasmic channels that connect adjacent cells-enable the transport of molecules between cells. In roots, such transport is thought to play a central role in nutrient acquisition and delivery across the multiple cell layers. In this study, we demonstrate that plasmodesmatal transport persists in fully differentiated Arabidopsis roots, even after the establishment of apoplastic barriers such as Casparian strips and suberin lamellae in the endodermis. This persistence highlights plasmodesmata as a critical pathway for intercellular transport in mature roots. We also identify a developmental switch in plasmodesmatal function: while transport is bidirectional in young roots, it becomes unidirectional toward the vasculature in differentiated roots. Through a genetic screen, we identified mutants with impaired directionality that maintain persistent bidirectional transport. These mutants show enlarged plasmodesmatal apertures due to defects in pectin composition and cell wall organization, highlighting the critical role of pectin in plasmodesmatal formation and function. Our findings reveal that plasmodesmata-mediated transport is dynamically regulated during root development and provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying intercellular communication in plants. Endodermis Pectin Plasmodesmata Rhamnose Root Transport Dewey 580 Swiss National Science Foundation Directional cell-to-cell transport of nutrients in roots 179159 CH 45 Département des sciences végétales 163 false 835 Groupe Barberon Molecular Plant 18 8 75805328-a6c7-4319-8a1d-c0da183ceca7 Article (Published version) Public 1-s2.0-S1674205225002333-main.pdf 45088966 application/pdf CC BY-NC-ND-4.0 d8bae847729adb05e994e62039d6b8ed410fb60890338791ddc260871f55ab5f openAccess Faculté des sciences / Section de biologie / Département des sciences végétales

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