Role of RNA –Binding Proteins in Controlling Cell to Cell Communication and Molecular Trafficking in Plants

Abstract

Cell to Cell communication is the most important process in all living organisms. This communication network is essential for growth, differentiation, development and metabolic functions. As plant cell has a rigid cell wall so there are some special ways for using communication network through a special structure called Plasmodesmata. The messages from the DNA of dividing cells pass signals or messages to other cells through RNA molecules. But RNA molecules cannot pass independently to other cells, so some proteins are needed that are bound to RNA (RNA-binding Proteins). These proteins actually carry signals from one cell to another. In plants plasmodesmata is very small that carries only water and micronutrients. But it has been noted that its size is not constant but is very dynamic where their sizes can change according to their need. The role of plasmodesmata and RNA-binding proteins in communication as well as their roles in molecular trafficking have been discussed.