Novel insights into RabA2b intracellular localization suggest a role in plasmodesmatal function

TL;DR

This study reveals that RabA2b, a protein involved in cell transport, is linked to plasmodesmata and may help regulate water transport in plants under stress.

Contribution

The first evidence that RabA2b associates with plasmodesmata and influences symplastic transport in plants.

Findings

RabA2b associates with plasmodesmata and facilitates symplastic transport in Arabidopsis.

RabA2b localizes to Hechtian Strands and cell wall docking sites during osmotic stress.

The findings suggest RabA2b regulates plasmodesmatal permeability and symplast integrity during water stress.

Abstract

Plasmodesmata (PD) are microchannels that bridge together neighboring plant cells by connecting their plasma membranes to each other. Thus, the PD establish the symplast, a cytoplasmic continuum that allows free transport of water and other small molecules between cells. Also, PD communicate with the cytoplasm via intercellular trafficking. Rab small GTPases are key regulators of vesicle trafficking, though surprisingly, their role in PD targeting and trafficking is still obscure. Here we show, for the first time, that the RabA member, RabA2b, associates with the PD. Furthermore, its overexpression in Arabidopsis facilitates symplastic mediated transport. Additionally, during osmotic stress, the presence of RabA2b was observed along the Hechtian Strands (HS) as well as at HS-cell wall docking sites. Our findings provide new insights into the potential involvement of RabA2b in PD permeability regulation and mediation of the symplast integrity, necessary for water maintenance during water stresses.

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