According to a CNRS communication dated February 19, 2026. Based on a scientific publication in Science Advances, to which the RDP - Plant Reproduction and Development Laboratory contributed: "The actin cytoskeleton is required to maintain plant cell division orientation against cellular geometry." Thumbnail credit: © Camila Goldy
In plants, cells cannot move or reorganize freely due to their rigid cell walls. How, under these conditions, do they correctly orient their division to build coherent tissues? A study published in Science Advances reveals that, in addition to a well-documented classic landmark, plant cells rely on the actin cytoskeleton to adjust their division plane according to their environment.
The preprophase band, a classic but not essential marker
When a cell divides, the orientation of the division plane plays a decisive role in tissue organization and development. In plants, this stage is particularly delicate, as the cells are surrounded by rigid walls and remain fixed in place during development.
Traditionally, the orientation of cell division in plants has been associated with the formation of the preprophase band, a transient structure composed of microtubules that marks the future site of division before mitosis begins. This band has long been considered an essential marker. However, previous studies have shown that cells lacking the preprophase band can still divide in a generally correct orientation.
The actin cytoskeleton as a backup system
To understand this robustness, scientists published a study in the journal Science Advances in which they studied the division of plant cells subjected to different geometric stresses. By combining high-resolution microscopy, genetic manipulation, pharmacological perturbations, and quantitative modeling, they identified a complementary mechanism based on the actin cytoskeleton.
Reference
Camila Goldy et al., The actin cytoskeleton is required to maintain plant cell division orientation against cellular geometry. Sci. Adv.12,eaeb8498(2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aeb8498
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