The plant cytoskeleton: its significance in plant development

The cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells contains a three-dimensional network of filaments: the cytoskeleton. It connects the various organelles and other cytoplasmic elements of the cell with each other and with the plasma membrane and is involved in many dynamic processes in the cell, including cell division, morphogenesis, redistribution of surface components, endo- and exocytosis and the positioning of cytoplasmic elements (reviews: Dustin 1984; Lackie 1986; Bershadsky & Vasiliev 1988; plants: Traas 1989). The three major constituents of this system are microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. They can be discriminated, based on their diameter and by means of immunocytochemistry.