Quantitative analyses of the plant cytoskeleton reveal underlying organizational principles

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • David Breuer
  • Alexander Ivakov
  • Arun Sampathkumar
  • Florian Hollandt
  • Persson, Staffan
  • Zoran Nikoloski

The actin and microtubule (MT) cytoskeletons are vital structures for cell growth and development across all species. While individual molecular mechanisms underpinning actin and MT dynamics have been intensively studied, principles that govern the cytoskeleton organization remain largely unexplored. Here, we captured biologically relevant characteristics of the plant cytoskeleton through a network-driven imaging-based approach allowing us to quantitatively assess dynamic features of the cytoskeleton. By introducing suitable null models, we demonstrate that the plant cytoskeletal networks exhibit properties required for efficient transport, namely, short average path lengths and high robustness.We further show that these advantageous features are maintained during temporal cytoskeletal rearrangements. Interestingly, man-made transportation networks exhibit similar properties, suggesting general laws of network organization supporting diverse transport processes. The proposed network-driven analysis can be readily used to identify organizational principles of cytoskeletons in other organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20140362
JournalJournal of the Royal Society Interface
Volume11
Issue number97
ISSN1742-5689
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Complex networks, Cytoskeletal networks, Cytoskeletal transport, Organizational principles, Plant cell walls

ID: 273076278