New insights into the functions and regulations of MAP215/MOR1 and katanin, two conserved microtubule-associated proteins in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT

Plant microtubules (MTs) form highly dynamic and distinct arrays throughout the cell cycle and are essential for cell and organ morphogenesis. A plethora of microtubule associated-proteins (MAPs), both conserved and plant-specific, ensure the dynamic response of MTs to internal and external cues. The MAP215 family MT polymerase/nucleation factor and the MT severing enzyme katanin are among the most conserved MAPs in eukaryotes. Recent studies have revealed unexpected functional and physical interactions between MICROTUBULE ORGANIZATION 1 (MOR1), the Arabidopsis homolog of MAP215, and KATANIN 1 (KTN1), the catalytic subunit of katanin. In this minireview, we provide a short overview on current understanding of the functions and regulations of MOR1 and katanin in cell morphogenesis and plant growth and development.

KEYWORDS:

• Microtubule
• microtubule associated-protein (MAP)
• MOR1/MAP215
• katanin
• plant cell morphogenesis
• plant cell division

Acknowledgments

We apologize to colleagues whose work we were not able to cite due to space limitations. This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31870268 to F.Y. and 31970186 to X.L.), and Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi (2021JC-17 to X.L.).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [31870268]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [31970186]; Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province [2021JC-17].