Teachers

Within the eukaryotic cells, there are various structures surrounded by membranes called organelles. Organelles have their unique composition of proteins and lipids, and are responsible for their unique metabolic functions. Membrane traffic with membrane-bound vesicles that deliver cargoes to their destinations plays an important role in maintaining organelle homeostasis. Plants regulate the membrane traffic system and flexibly changes organelles in response to various environmental stresses. By using live cell imaging and biochemical analysis, we aim to elucidate the dynamics of organelles and membrane traffic systems in response to environmental changes, and to understand the flexible environmental adaptation strategies of plants. We are also interested in how organelles are maintained throughout the life of plants.

Plant Organelles

Endoplasmic reticulum (magenta) and Golgi stacks (green) in cotyledon epidermal cells of Arabidopsis thaliana

Endoplasmic reticulum subdomain for vesicle formation (green) transiently contact with Golgi stacks (magenta) which formed vesicles are destined for

References

Takagi J., Kimori Y., Shimada T., Hara-Nishimura I. (2020) Dynamic Capture-and-Release of Endoplasmic Reticulum Exit Sites by Golgi Stacks in Arabidopsis.  iScience 23(7):101265.

Uemura T., Nakano R. T., Takagi J., Wang Y., Kramer K., Finkemeier I., Nakagami H., Tsuda K., Ueda T., Schulze-Lefert P., Nakano A. (2019) A Golgi-Released Subpopulation of the Trans-Golgi Network Mediates Protein Secretion in Arabidopsis.  Plant Physiol. 179(2):519-532.

Shimada T., Takagi J., Ichino T., Shirakawa M., Hara-Nishimura I. (2018) Plant Vacuoles. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 69:123-145.

Takagi J., Renna L., Takahashi H., Koumoto Y., Tamura K., Stefano G., Fukao Y., Kondo M., Nishimura M., Shimada T., Brandizzi F., Hara-Nishimura I. (2013) MAIGO5 Functions in Protein Export from Golgi-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Exit Sites in Arabidopsis.  Plant Cell 25(11):4658-75.

Takahashi H., Tamura K., Takagi J., Koumoto Y., Hara-Nishimura I., Shimada T. (2010) MAG4/Atp115 is a Golgi-Localized Tethering Factor that Mediates Efficient Anterograde Transport in Arabidopsis.  Plant Cell Physiol. 51(10):1777-87.