Signals, motors, morphogenesis the cytoskeleton in plant development

Plant shape can adapt to a changing environment. This requires a structure that (1) must be highly dynamic, (2) can respond to a range of signals, and (3) can control cellular morphogenesis. The cytoskeleton, microtubules, ac tin microfilaments, and cytoskeletal motors meets these requirements, and p lants have evolved specific cytoskeletal arrays consisting of both microtub ules and microfilaments that can link signal transduction to cellular morph ogenesis: cortical microtubules, preprophase band, phragmoplast on the micr otubular side, transvacuolar microfilament bundles, and phragmosome on the actin side. These cytoskeletal arrays are reviewed with special focus on th e signal responses of higher plants. The signal-triggered dynamic response of the cytoskeleton must be based on spatial cues that organize assembly an d disassembly of tubulin and actin. In this context the great morphogenetic potential of cytoskeletal motors is discussed. The review closes with an o utlook on new methodological approaches to the problem of signal-triggered morphogenesis.