Vesicles are persistent features of different plastids

Abstract
Peripheral vesicles in plastids have been observed repeatedly, primarily in proplastids and developing chloroplasts, in which they are suggested to function in thylakoid biogenesis. Previous observations of vesicles in mature chloroplasts have mainly concerned low temperature pre‐treated plants occasionally treated with inhibitors blocking vesicle fusion. Here we show that such vesicle‐like structures occur not only in chloroplasts and proplastids but also in etio‐, etio‐chloro‐, leuco‐, chromo‐ and even transforming desiccoplasts without any specific pre‐treatment. Observations are made both in C3 and C4 species, in different cell types (meristematic, epidermis, mesophyll, bundle sheath and secretory cells) and different organs (roots, stems, leaves, floral parts and fruits). Until recently not much focus has been given to the idea that vesicle transport in chloroplasts could be mediated by proteins, but recent data suggest that the vesicle system of chloroplasts has similarities with the cytosolic COPII system. All current data taken together support the idea of an on‐going, active and protein‐mediated vesicle transport not only in chloroplasts but in other plastids as well, obviously occurring regardless of chemical modifications, temperature and plastid developmental stage.

Vesicles in plastids have been observed repeatedly, suggested to function in thylakoid biogenesis. Previous observations have mainly concerned proplastids and chloroplast...

Source: Traffic - July 14, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Emelie Lindquist, Katalin Solymosi, Henrik Aronsson Tags: Original Article Source Type: research