Differential gene expression and transport functionality in the bundle sheath versus mesophyll - a potential role in leaf mineral homeostasis

The bundle sheath cells (BSCs) layer a presumed control point for radial transport of water and solutes between the vasculature and the leaf mesophyll cells (MCs) is still largely understudied. Using isolated protoplasts, we found that 45% of the 90 genes differentially expressed in BSCs vs. MCs are membrane related and 20% are transport related, suggesting unique functionality of membrane transport in the BSCs, supported also by functional assays (electrophysiology and fluorescence imaging).

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Wigoda N, Pasmanik-Chor M, Yang T, Yu L, Moshelion M, Moran N