Plant Vasculature: Selective Membrane-to-Microtubule Tethering Patterns the Xylem Cell Wall

To introduce pits into a cell wall, plants depolymerize cortical microtubules, which prevents subsequent secondary cell wall thickening. A newly identified protein tethers microtubules to the plasma membrane and contains this breakdown to defined regions, thereby shaping these holes. To introduce pits into a cell wall, plants depolymerize cortical microtubules, which prevent subsequent secondary cell wall thickening. A newly identified protein tethers microtubules to the plasma membrane and contains this breakdown to defined regions, thereby shaping these holes.