Plant cytokinesis and the construction of new cell wall

Cytokinesis in plants is fundamentally different from that in animals and fungi. In plant cells, a cell plate forms through the fusion of cytokinetic vesicles and then develops into the new cell wall, partitioning the cytoplasm of the dividing cell. The formation of the cell plate entails multiple stages that involve highly orchestrated vesicle accumulation, fusion and membrane maturation, which occur concurrently with the timely deposition of polysaccharides such as callose, cellulose and cross-linking glycans. This review summarizes the major stages in cytokinesis, endomembrane components involved in cell plate assembly and its transition to a new cell wall. An animation that can be widely used for educational purposes further summarizes the process.

Automated summary

Cytokinesis in plants is unique compared to animals and fungi, involving the formation of a cell plate through the fusion of cytokinetic vesicles. This process results in the development of a new cell wall. The formation of the cell plate is a complex process involving vesicle accumulation, fusion, membrane maturation, and the deposition of polysaccharides.