Dynamic regulation of cell polarity in Arabidopsis

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We are interested in the mechanisms by which plant cells and tissues develop and maintain polarity. To date, there is only very little known about how plant cells establish polarity and whether there is a common mechanism used by different plant cells, between different plant species, or between plants and other eukaryotic organisms. What are the mechanisms for polarity establishment? We recently identified the first polarly localised plasma membrane proteins, members of the PIN gene family, and members of the plant Rho GTPase gene family that serve as markers for cell polarity in plants. We will use these unique markers to genetically dissect the biochemical machinery involved in their polar distribution. Genetic and biochemical information of this machinery will be essential to understand how intracellular asymmetry is generated and maintained. These experiments will also help to assess how cells within tissues use spatial cues to align their axis of symmetry and to direct an asymmetry to one cortical region of a plant cell. In our studies we will address (i) the functional basis of the cellular apical-basal organisation, (ii) the mechanisms through which polar exocytotic activity is regulated, and (iii) the consequences for plant cell and whole plant function of interfering with the exocytotic pathway.