Petrovská, B., Šebela, M., Doležel, J.
Molecular cell biology of the growth and differentiation of plant cells : 22-36, 2016

Keywords:
Abstract: Despite the separation of evolutionary lineages many hundred million years ago, cells of all eukaryotic organisms are structurally similar. Their control centre – the nucleus – contains most of the DNA of the cell and regulates the majority of cellular processes. DNA is packed in a small volume of the nucleus after interacting with nuclear proteins. These proteins facilitate DNA folding into a small space; participate in DNA replication, repair and transcription; and help to separate it from the cytoplasm. Additionally, these proteins have a strong impact on the function of the genome. Indeed, the latter cannot be understood without a good knowledge of the composition, structure and behaviour of nuclear proteins, which are the most abundant components of the nucleus (Sutherland et al. 2001). However, little information is available regarding plant nuclear proteins, except for histones and a few other proteins. We are only beginning to understand how the plant genome is organized and how it works. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the plant nucleus and its protein composition, structure and function, with the aim of shedding light on the nature and function of vital components of plant cell nuclei.
DOI: 10.1201/b20316-4
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IEB authors: Jaroslav Doležel, Beáta Petrovská