Research
The cytoskeleton is a protein structure found in all eukaryotic cells. The plant cytoskeleton is made up of microtubules and actin filaments composed of the polymerised α and β-tubulin heterodimer and actin, respectively. Together, they form a three-dimensional network associated with many cellular processes with the most important being motility, division, growth and polarity establishment and maintenance.
The cytoskeleton is well-conserved across eukaryotes as it fulfils similar functions in plant and animal cells. Indeed, some cytoskeletal roles carried out with the aid of cytoskeleton-associated proteins closely related in animal and plant cells are very conserved. However, the opposite is true is some cases: with the aid of plant- and animal-specific associated proteins, microtubules and actin filaments can take on unique new roles. This exciting quest of the diversity of nature or, conversely, its ingenuity in the cost-effective solution of the organization of living systems is getting on. It's possible that the lessons we learn from the plant cytoskeleton might help us understand animal systems better — and vice versa.
We study the plant cytoskeleton and its involvement in pathways that control cell shape, cell wall deposition, organelles movement and function.
Current projects
The Arp2/3 complex and its role in plants
The nuclear cytoskeleton: its role and dynamics
Arp2/3 mutant plant trichome | Petra Cifrová