R. Cyr and D. Fisher. R. Cyr and D. Fisher.
Plants cells have a functionally unique cortical microtubule array.
This cortical array does not play a structural role in the cell, rather it provides spatial information to the cellulose synthase complexes residing within the membrane. In elongating plant cells, the cortical array is highly organized in a transverse orientation to the axis of elongation. While it is clear that cortical microtubules affect the deposition of the plant s extracellular matrix, it is not clear how they, themselves, obtain spatial information. We have extended these studies using agarose embedded protoplasts. By plating the agarose culture onto flexible sheets of Silastic we are able to apply strain and analyze how this force application affects the axis of elongation.