Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa

Abstract Phloem, an exceptional plant vascular tissue, facilitates the transport of photoassimilates, RNAs, and other signaling substances from the leaves to the roots throughout the plant. Among the specialized phloem cells are the conductive sieve elements (SEs), which are unique in that they rema...

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Main Authors: Karolina Kułak, Anna Samelak-Czajka, Malgorzata Marszalek-Zenczak, Kornel M. Michalak, Magdalena Trybus, Julia Minicka, Paulina Jackowiak, Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06439-4
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author Karolina Kułak
Anna Samelak-Czajka
Malgorzata Marszalek-Zenczak
Kornel M. Michalak
Magdalena Trybus
Julia Minicka
Paulina Jackowiak
Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
author_facet Karolina Kułak
Anna Samelak-Czajka
Malgorzata Marszalek-Zenczak
Kornel M. Michalak
Magdalena Trybus
Julia Minicka
Paulina Jackowiak
Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
author_sort Karolina Kułak
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Phloem, an exceptional plant vascular tissue, facilitates the transport of photoassimilates, RNAs, and other signaling substances from the leaves to the roots throughout the plant. Among the specialized phloem cells are the conductive sieve elements (SEs), which are unique in that they remain alive despite lacking several cell organelles, including the nucleus, plastids, and most mitochondria. These SEs contain a specific proteinaceous structure composed of phloem-specific proteins (P-proteins), whose function is not yet fully understood. Various P-proteins have been characterized in broad range of model species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, and reported in Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants. To date, only one P-protein has been identified in the model tree species Populus trichocarpa. Given the presence of multiple P-protein encoding genes across numerous plant species, we hypothesized the existence of multiple such genes in the Populus genome. Our genomic analysis uncovered 12 genes being potential orthologues to one of A. thaliana P-protein – SEOR (sieve element occlusion-related) genes, which may contribute to the proteinaceous structures observed in differentiating sieve elements. Our transcriptomic and proteomic analyses confirmed the expression of at least seven of these genes, indicating that the protein structure visible in mature sieve elements in P. trichocarpa may be heterogeneous.
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series BMC Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-60bd715cb0e14b028ebfcb1c6e12927b2025-08-20T02:17:13ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-04-0125111410.1186/s12870-025-06439-4Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpaKarolina Kułak0Anna Samelak-Czajka1Malgorzata Marszalek-Zenczak2Kornel M. Michalak3Magdalena Trybus4Julia Minicka5Paulina Jackowiak6Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna7Department of General Botany, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityLaboratory of Single Cell Analyses, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Single Cell Analyses, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesDepartment of General Botany, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityLaboratory of Single Cell Analyses, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesDepartment of Virology and Bacteriology, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research InstituteLaboratory of Single Cell Analyses, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesDepartment of General Botany, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityAbstract Phloem, an exceptional plant vascular tissue, facilitates the transport of photoassimilates, RNAs, and other signaling substances from the leaves to the roots throughout the plant. Among the specialized phloem cells are the conductive sieve elements (SEs), which are unique in that they remain alive despite lacking several cell organelles, including the nucleus, plastids, and most mitochondria. These SEs contain a specific proteinaceous structure composed of phloem-specific proteins (P-proteins), whose function is not yet fully understood. Various P-proteins have been characterized in broad range of model species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, and reported in Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants. To date, only one P-protein has been identified in the model tree species Populus trichocarpa. Given the presence of multiple P-protein encoding genes across numerous plant species, we hypothesized the existence of multiple such genes in the Populus genome. Our genomic analysis uncovered 12 genes being potential orthologues to one of A. thaliana P-protein – SEOR (sieve element occlusion-related) genes, which may contribute to the proteinaceous structures observed in differentiating sieve elements. Our transcriptomic and proteomic analyses confirmed the expression of at least seven of these genes, indicating that the protein structure visible in mature sieve elements in P. trichocarpa may be heterogeneous.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06439-4PhloemSieve elementP-proteinSEOSEORPopulus trichocarpa
spellingShingle Karolina Kułak
Anna Samelak-Czajka
Malgorzata Marszalek-Zenczak
Kornel M. Michalak
Magdalena Trybus
Julia Minicka
Paulina Jackowiak
Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna
Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
BMC Plant Biology
Phloem
Sieve element
P-protein
SEO
SEOR
Populus trichocarpa
title Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
title_full Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
title_fullStr Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
title_full_unstemmed Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
title_short Identification of phloem-specific proteinaSEOus structure heterogeneity in sieve element of Populus trichocarpa
title_sort identification of phloem specific proteinaseous structure heterogeneity in sieve element of populus trichocarpa
topic Phloem
Sieve element
P-protein
SEO
SEOR
Populus trichocarpa
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06439-4
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