Is autophagy always a death sentence? A case study of highly selective cytoplasmic degradation during phloemogenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The transformation of sieve elements from meristematic cells, equipped with a full complement of organelles, to specialized transport tubes devoid of a nucleus has long been enigmatic. We hypothesized a strong involvement of various degradation pathways, particularly macroautophagy in this context, emphasizing the importance of autophagic selectivity in the remaining viability of these cells.

Methods

Experiments were performed on pioneer roots of Populus trichocarpa cultivated in rhizotrons under field conditions. Through anatomical, ultrastructural and molecular analyses, we delineate the stages of phloemogenesis and the concurrent alterations in the cytoplasmic composition of SEs.

Key results

Notably, we observed not only macroautophagic structur

SUBMITTER: Michalak KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11904893 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature