Plant Cell Division

Abstract

Abstract Cell division is characterised by the segregation of genetic material and the redistribution of cellular contents facilitated by the cytoskeleton. Plant cells derive from divisions in the meristems of developing organs. However, plant cells are enclosed in rigid cell walls, unable to migrate and change their location within tissues. Thus, positions of division planes, together with successive polarised cell expansion are the major determinants of cell shape and consequently morphology of plants. The basic building blocks of the cytoskeleton, tubulins, actins and cytoskeleton associated motor‐ and nonmotor‐proteins are conserved. Yet, plants have developed unique cytoskeletal arrays and molecular mechanism to determine the division plane very early in mitosis and to facilitate the synthesis and insertion of the partitioning cell plate at the end of cell division. Key Concepts: Plant cells utilise specialised cytoskeletal arrays to determine the division plane early in mitosis and form a cell plate to separate daughter cells late in mitosis. Cell geometry and nuclear position are informative for division plane selection. The preprophase band (PPB) predicts the future division plane and recruits proteins that identify the cortical division site (CDS) throughout mitosis. Mutants defective in PPB or CDS establishment/maintenance exhibit mispositioned cell walls and altered cell and plant morphology. Successful cell plate formation relies on cytoskeletal reorganisation and vesicle fusion.