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Computational tools for serial block EM reveal differences in plasmodesmata distributions and wall environments

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Belevich, Ilya 
Jokitalo, Eija 
Helariutta, Ykä 

Abstract

Plasmodesmata are small channels that connect plant cells. While recent technological advances have facilitated the analysis of the ultrastructure of these channels, there are limitations to efficiently addressing their presence over an entire cellular interface. Here, we highlight the value of serial block electron microscopy for this purpose. We developed a computational pipeline to study plasmodesmata distributions and we detect presence/absence of plasmodesmata clusters, pit fields, at the phloem unloading interfaces of Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Pit fields can be visualised and quantified. As the wall environment of plasmodesmata is highly specialised we also designed a tool to extract the thickness of the extracellular matrix at and outside plasmodesmata positions. We show and quantify clear wall thinning around plasmodesmata with differences between genotypes, namely in the recently published plm-2 sphingolipid mutant. Our tools open new avenues for quantitative approaches in the analysis of symplastic trafficking. We developed computational tools for serial block electron microscopy datasets to extract information on the spatial distribution of plasmodesmata over an entire cellular interface and on the wall environment the plasmodesmata are in.

Description

Keywords

Arabidopsis, Genotype, Microscopy, Electron, Phloem, Plant Roots, Plasmodesmata

Journal Title

Plant Physiology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0032-0889
1532-2548

Volume Title

183

Publisher

American Society of Plant Biologists

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
European Research Council (323052)
Gatsby Charitable Foundation (GAT3395/PR3)
Gatsby Charitable Foundation (GAT3395/PR3B)
Gatsby Foundation (GAT3395/PR3) Biocenter Finland, The Finnish Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology of Primary Producers (Academy of Finland CoE program 2014‐2019, decision #271832) University of Helsinki (award 799992091) European Research Council Advanced Investigator Grant SYMDEV (No. 323052)