Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at University of Leeds

Development and spatial pattern formation are inherently linked. The coordinated determination of cell fates is crucial in any developmental process and requires extensive intercellular communication. Plants cells exchange many molecular signals via the symplasmic pathway, i.e., via plasmodesmata: narrow channels connecting the cytoplasm of neighbo...

Background and Aims Fertilization relies on pollen mother cells able to transition from mitosis to meiosis to supply gametes. This process involves remarkable changes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels, including (but not limited to) remodelling of the cell wall. During the onset of meiosis, the cellulose content in the pollen moth...

Cell walls underpin the mechanics of cell growth, intercellular signalling, and defence against pathogenic organisms. β-(1,3)-glucans (also known as callose) are polysaccharides found in plants, fungi, and some bacterial species. In developing plant organs, callose accumulates around intercellular channels (plasmodesmata) controlling cell-to-cell c...

Fertilization relies on pollen mother cells able to transit from mitosis-to-meiosis to supply gametes. This process involves remarkable changes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels including (but not limited to) remodelling of cell wall. During meiosis onset, cellulose content at the pollen mother cell walls gradually declines with t...

Multicellularity has emerged multiple times in evolution, enabling groups of cells to share a living space and reducing the burden of solitary tasks. While unicellular organisms exhibit individuality and independence, cooperation among cells in multicellular organisms brings specialization and flexibility. However, multicellularity also necessitate...

Polysaccharides play a crucial role in virtually all living systems. They also represent the biocompatible and fully sustainable component of a variety of nanoparticles, which are of increasing interest in biomedicine, food processing, cosmetics, and structural reinforcement of polymeric materials. The computational modeling of complex polysacchari...

Climate change threatens global food and nutritional security through negative effects on crop growth and agricultural productivity. Many countries have adopted ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation targets that will exacerbate the problem, as they require significant changes in current agri-food systems. In this review, we provide a r...

Polysaccharides play a crucial role in virtually all living systems. They also represent the biocompatible and fully sustainable component of a variety of nanoparticles, which are of increasing interest in biomedicine, food processing, structural reinforcement of polymeric materials and cosmetics. The computational modelling of complex polysacchari...

Plant biomass plays an increasingly important role in the circular bioeconomy, replacing non-renewable fossil resources. Genetic engineering of this lignocellulosic biomass could benefit biorefinery transformation chains by lowering economic and technological barriers to industrial processing. However, previous efforts have mostly targeted the majo...

The accumulation of callose ($\beta$-1,3 glucans) greatly affects plant cell wall physico-mechanical properties and intercellular communication. In this paper, the structural, bonding and mechanical properties of cellulose - callose hydrogel mixtures, consisting of $90$ wt\% water and $10$ wt\% polysaccharide, have been investigated by atomistic mo...

Cell walls are essential for plant growth and development, providing support and protection from external environments. Callose is a glucan that accumulates in specialized cell wall microdomains including around intercellular pores called plasmodesmata. Despite representing a small percentage of the cell wall (~0.3 % in the model plant Arabidopsis...

Interview with Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso, who studies cell-to-cell signalling in plants.

Background A major route for cell-to-cell signalling in plants is mediated by cell wall-embedded pores termed plasmodesmata forming the symplasm. Plasmodesmata regulate the plant development and responses to the environment; however, our understanding of what factors or regulatory cues affect their structure and permeability is still limited. In th...

Chickpea production is vulnerable to drought stress. Identifying the genetic components underlying drought adaptation is crucial for enhancing chickpea productivity. Here, we present the fine mapping and characterization of “QTL‐hotspot”, a genomic region controlling chickpea growth with positive consequences on crop production under drought. We re...

Plasmodesmata are plant intercellular channels that mediate the transport of small and large molecules including RNAs and transcription factors (TFs) that regulate plant development. In this review, we present current research on plasmodesmata form and function and discuss the main regulatory pathways. We show the progress made in the development o...

“The study of Nature … is the only true method that leads up to a clear understanding of the great natural principles which surround every branch of business in which we may engage.” Extracted from ‘Progressive nature studies’ by G.W. Carver (1897). Biographies about George Washington Carver describe a Black, thin-skinned and frail boy, traded for...

The accumulation of the cell wall component callose at plasmodesmata (PD) is crucial for the regulation of symplastic intercellular transport in plants. Here we describe protocols to fluorescently image callose in sectioned plant tissue using monoclonal antibodies. This protocol achieves high-resolution images by the fixation, embedding, and sectio...

Fruit consumption is fundamental to a balanced diet. The contemporary challenge of maintaining a steady food supply to meet the demands of a growing population is driving the development of strategies to improve the production and nutritional quality of fruit. Plasmodesmata, the structures that mediate symplasmic transport between plant cells, play...

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is one of the most cultivated fruits. However, between one-quarter and half of their production is lost during transport and storage. Modifications in cell walls, and specifically pectin composition, delay fruit softening but, so far, the impact of callose metabolism in this process has not been investigated. Callose a...

A major route for cell-to-cell signaling is via cell wall-embedded pores termed plasmodesmata (PD) forming the symplasm. PD regulate many aspects of plant development and responses to the environment however, our understanding of what factors affect their structure and permeability is limited. In this paper, a meta-analysis is presented as a tool f...

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is one of the most cultivated fruits. However, between one quarter and half of the production is lost due to uncontrolled conditions during transport and storage. Understanding the biological components and processes that affect the physical properties and structure of tomato fruits during the post-harvest is essential...

The nature of the main primary mechanisms involved in lignocellulosic fast pyrolysis is often assumed to be radical mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that thermal depolymerization of native hemicelluloses can undergo several primary and secondary concerted reactions leading to light oxygenates that can compete with radical mechanisms. To model these...

Successful collaborative research is dependent on excellent ideas and innovative experimental approaches as well as the provision of appropriate support networks. Collaboration requires venues, infrastructures, training facilities and, perhaps most importantly, a sustained commitment to working together as a community. These activities do not occur...

Regulation of molecular transport via intercellular channels called plasmodesmata (PDs) is important for both coordinating developmental and environmental responses among neighbouring cells, and isolating (groups of) cells to execute distinct programs. Cell-to-cell mobility of fluorescent molecules and PD dimensions (measured from electron microgra...

Plasmodesmata act as key elements in intercellular communication, coordinating processes related to plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses. While many of the developmental, biotic, and abiotic signals are primarily perceived at the plasma membrane (PM) by receptor proteins, plasmodesmata also cluster receptor-like activi...

Banana (Musa acuminata) and mango (Mangifera indica) are two of the most popular fruits eaten worldwide. They both soften during ripening but their textural attributes are markedly different. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism underpinning textural differences between banana and mango. We used a novel combination of methods at di...

Regulation of molecular transport via intercellular channels called plasmodesmata (PDs) is important for both, the coordination of developmental and environmental responses among neighbouring cells and the isolation of cell domains to execute specific developmental or stress-induced programs. PD transport capacity (i.e. effective symplastic permeab...

Root growth depends on the shoot-to-root transport of assimilates through the phloem, which is connected to the meristems by plasmodesmata pores. A PHLOEM UNLOADING MODULATOR is now identified to regulate plasmodesmata internal organisation, leading to pores that appear tighter but are more efficient for transport.

Plasmodesmata act as key elements in intercellular communication, coordinating processes related to plant growth, development and responses to environmental stresses. While many of the developmental, biotic and abiotic signals are primarily perceived at the plasma membrane (PM) by receptor proteins, plasmodesmata also cluster receptor-like activiti...

The formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules in legumes involves the initiation of synchronized programs in the root epidermis and cortex to allow rhizobial infection and nodule development. In this study, we provide evidence that symplastic communication, regulated by callose turnover at plasmodesmata (PD), is important for coordinating nodule develop...

The properties of (1,3)-β-glucans (i.e., callose) remain largely unknown despite their importance in plant development and defence. Here we use mixtures of (1,3)-β-glucan and cellulose, in ionic liquid solution and hydrogels, as proxies to understand the physico-mechanical properties of callose. We show that after callose addition the stiffness of...

The intercellular transport of molecules through membranous channels that traverse the cell walls-so-called plasmodesmata-is of fundamental importance for plant development. Regulation of plasmodesmata aperture (and transport capacity) is mediated by changes in the flanking cell walls, mainly via the synthesis/degradation (turnover) of the (1,3)-β-...

Many proteins and cargoes in eukaryotic cells are secreted through the conventional secretory pathway that brings proteins and membranes from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane, passing through various cell compartments, and then the extracellular space. The recent identification of an increasing number of leaderless secreted proteins...

Many proteins and cargoes in eukaryotic cells are secreted through the conventional secretory pathway that brings proteins and membranes from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane, passing through various cell compartments, and then the extracellular space. The recent identification of an increasing number of leaderless secreted proteins...

Sucrose (Suc) transporters (SUTs) translocate Suc across cellular membranes, and, in eudicots, multiple SUTs are known to function in Suc phloem loading in leaves. In maize (Zea mays L.), the Sucrose transporter1 (ZmSut1) gene has been implicated in Suc phloem loading based upon RNA expression in leaves, electrophysiological experiments, and phenot...

Sucrose (Suc) transporters (SUTs) translocate Suc across cellular membranes, and, in dicots, multiple SUTs are known to function in Suc phloem loading in leaves. In maize (Zea mays L.), the Sucrose ransporter1 (ZmSut1) gene has been implicated in Suc phloem loading based upon RNA expression in leaves, electrophysiological experiments, and phenotypi...

Plasmodesmata (PD) are nano-sized membrane-lined channels controlling intercellular communication in plants. Although progress has been made in identifying PD proteins, the role played by major membrane constituents, such as the lipids, in defining specialized membrane domains in PD remains unknown. Through a rigorous isolation of "native" PD membr...

Accumulation of callose (β-1,3 glucans) at the plasmodesmata (PD) neck region dynamically regulates symplastic intercellular transport. Here we describe a 2-3-day immuno-labelling protocol to determine callose levels in the cell wall region at PD. The method relies on exposure of internal cell walls by hand-sectioning of the sample and digestion of...

Communication between cells is a crucial step to coordinate organ formation and tissue patterning. In plants, the intercellular transport of metabolites and signalling molecules occur symplastically through membranous structures (named plasmodesmata) that traverse the cell wall to connect the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum of neighbouring cell...

In plants, the intercellular transport of simple and complex molecules can occur symplastically through plasmodesmata. These are membranous channels embedded in cell walls that connect neighbouring cells. The properties of the cell walls surrounding plasmodesmata determine their transport capacity and permeability. These cell wall micro-domains are...

Colonization of the land by plants required major modifications in cellular structural composition and metabolism. Intercellular communication through plasmodesmata (PD) plays a critical role in the coordination of growth and cell activities. Changes in the form, regulation or function of these channels are likely linked to plant adaptation to the...

Plant cells have channel-like structures named plasmodesmata that allow for the symplastic molecular transport between neighbouring cells. The importance of plasmodesmata in whole plant development is well acknowledged. They mediate the cell-to-cell and vascular loading and unloading of metabolites, proteins, and other signalling molecules. However...

Root growth is critical for the effective exploitation of the rhizosphere and productive plant growth. Our recent work(1) showed that root architecture was dependent upon the degree of symplastic connectivity between neighboring cells during the specification of lateral root primordia and was affected by genes regulating callose deposition at plasm...

Cell-to-cell communication coordinates the behavior of individual cells to establish organ patterning and development. Although mobile signals are known to be important in lateral root development, the role of plasmodesmata (PD)-mediated transport in this process has not been investigated. Here, we show that changes in symplastic connectivity accom...

Chitin acts as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern from fungal pathogens whose perception triggers a range of defense responses. We show that LYSIN MOTIF DOMAIN-CONTAINING GLYCOSYLPHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL-ANCHORED PROTEIN 2 (LYM2), the Arabidopsis homolog of a rice chitin receptor-like protein, mediates a reduction in molecular flux via plasmodesma...

Cell-to-cell communication is fundamental to multicellular life. For this to occur effectively there must be pathways and dynamic networks for communication. These might depend upon electrical or chemical signals or the mass transfer of molecules between adjacent cells. Molecular communication occurs either via an extra-cellular pathway or through...

Plant cells communicate with each other via plasmodesmata (PDs) in order to orchestrate specific responses to environmental and developmental cues. At the same time, environmental signals regulate this communication by promoting changes in PD structure that modify symplastic permeability and, in extreme cases, isolate damaged cells. Reactive oxygen...

Plasmodesmata are doors in the rigid cell wall. In multicellular tissues, they allow the passage of molecules needed to create physiological gradients and, by closure, symplastic boundaries, which are necessary for the fundamental processes of plant growth, development and defence. Despite this central role in plant growth our knowledge of their co...

PD-proteome with Mapman Bin functional categories and predicted information on subcellular localization and description of proteins in the Public Proteome collection (PPDB) (ProteomicsPub. Column). a CHLOR = Chloroplast protein; MIT = Mitochondrial protein; VACUOL = Vacuolar protein; S = Secreted; SM = Secretory membrane; NSnoTM = Nonsecreted no tr...

Gene ontology (GO) terms for the predicted functional categorization of the PD-proteome. The three main subcategories are represented: Cellular components (A), Molecular function (B) and Biological Processes (C). (TIF)

Colocalisation of fluorescent puncta with callose. Leaf tissues stably expressing fluorescent protein fusions (left panel) were stained with aniline blue (centre panel) to identify sites of callose deposition. Colocalisation of the fluorescence (right panel) supports these fluorescent puncta as the location of PD on the wall. Similar patterns of st...

Complete list of PD-proteome sequence identities (1341) with associated the proteomic information. aIt should be noted that when paralogous proteins could not be distinguished, all were included. (XLS)

PD-proteome with Gene Ontology descriptions. a Comp = Cellular component; Proc = Biological processes; Func = Functional categories. RAW Mascot files have been lodged with TRANCHE (https://proteomecommons.org/tranche/), and protein and peptide identifications with associated spectra have been lodged with ‘PRIDE’ (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/pride/easySubm...

The multicellular nature of plants requires that cells should communicate in order to coordinate essential functions. This is achieved in part by molecular flux through pores in the cell wall, called plasmodesmata. We describe the proteomic analysis of plasmodesmata purified from the walls of Arabidopsis suspension cells. Isolated plasmodesmata wer...

The multicellular nature of plants requires that cells should communicate in order to coordinate essential functions. This is achieved in part by molecular flux through pores in the cell wall, called plasmodesmata. We describe the proteomic analysis of plasmodesmata purified from the walls of Arabidopsis suspension cells. Isolated plasmodesmata wer...

As channels that provide cell-to-cell connectivity, plasmodesmata are central to the local and systemic spread of viruses in plants. This review discusses the current state of knowledge of the structure and function of these channels and the ways in which viruses bring about functional changes that allow macromolecular trafficking to occur. Despite...

Cell-to-cell communication is crucial for multicellular development, and in plants occurs through specialized channels called plasmodesmata (PD). In our recent manuscript we reported the characterization of a PD trafficking mutant, 'gfp arrested trafficking 1' (gat1), which carries a mutation in the thioredoxin-m3 (TRX-m3) gene. gat1 mutants showed...

Cell-to-cell transport in plants occurs through cytoplasmic channels called "plasmodesmata" and is regulated by developmental and environmental factors. Callose deposition modulates plasmodesmal transport in vivo, but little is known about the mechanisms that regulate this process. Here we report a genetic approach to identify mutants affecting pla...

Plasmodesmata (PD) permit diffusion of small metabolites and proteins, as well as active trafficking of specific RNAs and proteins. Their structure and distribution vary according to species, cell type, physiological function and stage of development. Two mechanisms for PD trafficking have been described: targeted and nontargeted. Transgenic plants...

SUMMARY The mitosporic fungus Spilocaea oleagina is an obligate biotroph of olive (Olea europaea) causing a scab disease associated with leaf fall and substantial losses in production. Using differential display we have identified 162 cDNA fragments corresponding to transcripts that show altered abundance during the defence response of a resistant...