The work in the VC laboratory was supported by grants from NIH (R35GM144059), NSF (MCB 1913165 and IOS 1758046), and BARD (IS-5276-20) to VC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and interpretation, or the decision to publish.

The details of the reagents and the equipment used in this study are listed in the Table of Materials.
1. Plant growth
<ol>
	<li>Grow Nicotiana benthamiana seeds in wet soil in a controlled environment chamber at 23 &#730;C under 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness.</li>
	<li>After about 2 weeks, carefully transfer the seedlings with the peat pellets around their roots to larger pots and continue growth under the same conditions for 4-5 weeks for the agroinfiltration experiments. 
	NOTE: Do not use the plants when they begin to flower, as GFP accumulation will diminish at the inflorescence stage18.</li>
</ol>
2. Vector construction
<ol>
	<li>Use PCR to amplify the coding sequences of interest with Q5 High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase and clone them into entry vector pDONR207 by the BP reaction19 using a commercially available BP Clonase kit.</li>
	<li>Transfer the target genes in the resulting entry plasmids into the destination vector pPZP-RCS2A-nptII-DEST-EGFP-N1 by the LR reaction19 using a commercially available LR Clonase kit to produce plasmids with the EGFP tag fused to the C-terminus of the target proteins.</li>
	<li>Verify all constructs by PCR and sequencing19.</li>
</ol>
3. Agroinfiltration
<ol>
	<li>Streak Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 cells containing different vectors on LB agar plates and incubated for 2 days under 28 &#730;C.</li>
	<li>Transfer a single colony into 2 mL of LB broth and incubate overnight at 28 &#730;C with agitation (250 rpm).</li>
	<li>Remove 1 mL from the overnight culture, followed by the addition of 4 mL of fresh LB broth, and reculture for 1 h under the same conditions.</li>
	<li>Adjust the bacterial suspension to OD600 = 0.1 (OD600 = 0.2 for co-expression of two proteins) with infiltration buffer (MgCl2, 10 mM; MES, 10 mM, pH 5.6).</li>
	<li>Mix different bacterial suspensions at a ratio of 1:1 (v/v) to make a final concentration of OD600 = 0.1. (optional).</li>
	<li>Incubate the bacterial suspension at room temperature for 3 h with soft agitation.</li>
	<li>Infiltrate the abaxial surface of the fully expanded leaves from different plants with a 1 mL needleless disposable syringe, and mark the infiltrated area (a darker color than the surrounding, non-infiltrated tissue) with a waterproof pen.</li>
	<li>Proceed to the Confocal microscopy section of this protocol (step 5). 
	NOTE: Other strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens suitable for the transformation of plant species of interest can also be used.</li>
</ol>
4. Aniline blue stain
<ol>
	<li>Add an aliquot of 200 &#181;L of 1% aniline blue (in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 8.0) to a microscope slide20.</li>
	<li>Excise the infiltrated area of approximately 0.5 cm &#215; 0.5 cm, away from the vein, with a blade, and transfer the leaf tissue samples to the aniline blue solution (abaxial side-up) on the microscope slide, and make sure the leaf tissue samples are submerged in the aniline blue solution, and then cover it with a cover glass (22 mm x 50 mm).</li>
	<li>Place the microscope slides with the samples in a desiccator attached to a vacuum pump and evacuate for 2 min (&#60;0.8 Pa), followed by a slow release of the pressure and incubation in the dark for 30 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Visualize the fluorescent signal of aniline blue under a laser scanning confocal microscope with compatible software. 
	NOTE: Here, the aniline blue staining method by Huang et al.20 was used. In a modification of this technique, the same experiment was performed without the 2 min vacuum step, producing similar results and suggesting that vacuum drying is not essential for aniline staining. Also, the concentration of the aniline blue stain and the staining time may vary according to the source of the leaf tissue, etc.</li>
</ol>
5. Confocal microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Harvest two leaves from two plants at different time points after the infiltration. Cut the infiltration zone into approximately 0.5 cm &#215; 0.5 cm slices away from the vein with a blade.
	<ol>
		<li>Place the tissue samples into a drop of sterile water (abaxial side-up) in the central part of a microscope slide, and cover them with a cover glass (22 mm x 50 mm), taking care to avoid bubbles.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Ensure that the excitation wavelengths for the detection of CFP, GFP, and RFP signals are 405 nm, 488 nm, and 561 nm, respectively, and the emission filters for detection were 410-602 nm for CFP, and 400-602 nm for EGFP and RFP, with the pinhole 1 AU and the Master Gain set as 769 V.</li>
	<li>Visualize the fluorescent signal of autofluorescent tags in the infiltrated area using a laser scanning confocal microscope with compatible software at 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, and 10 days after the infiltration.
	<ol>
		<li>Use a 10x objective lens and GFP filters to locate cells with the fluorescent signal and then switch to a 40x objective lens for visualization of subcellular localization and image recording.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Collect 20 images for each condition, using at least two independent biological replicates.</li>
	<li>Score PD localization of the tested protein based on the diagnostic punctate appearance of the signal at the periphery of the cell21,22. 
	NOTE: When detecting the subcellular localization of an unknown protein, using at least three plants is recommended.</li>
</ol>
6. Data analysis
<ol>
	<li>Use Fiji software to split channels and add the scale bar to the images for visualization.</li>
	<li>Use Fiji software to split channels before measuring the mean grayscale value for each image to assess the GFP (for MP, PDCB1, and PDLP5) or CFP (for aniline blue staining) fluorescence intensity at different time points.</li>
	<li>Use Fiji software to split channels before normalization of the images of GFP (for MP, PDCB1, and PDLP5) or CFP (for aniline blue staining). The area of the image was measured, and the PD puncta were counted manually. The number of PD puncta per 100 &#181;m2 was calculated.</li>
	<li>Use two-way ANOVA with Tukey&#39;s multiple comparisons test23 to determine the P-values between the different samples and different time points with statistical and graphing software. 
	NOTE: For a single-channel fluorescence image, the grayscale value of each pixel represents the fluorescence intensity of that point24. Here, the mean grayscale value was used to assess the fluorescence intensity of each sample at different time points.</li>
</ol>

Exploring Plasmodesmata Function: Confocal Microscopy of Targeted Proteins

<ol>
	<li>Lee, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+plasmodesmata-localized+protein+mediates+crosstalk+between+cell-to-cell+communication+and+innate+immunity+in+Arabidopsis.">A plasmodesmata-localized protein mediates crosstalk between cell-to-cell communication and innate immunity in Arabidopsis.</a> The Plant Cell. 23 (9), 3353-3373 (2011).</li><li>Benitez-Alfonso, Y., Faulkner, C., Ritzenthaler, C., Maule, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodesmata+gateways+to+local+and+systemic+virus+infection.">Plasmodesmata gateways to local and systemic virus infection.</a> Mol Plant-Microbe Interact. 23 (11), 1403-1412 (2010).</li><li>Bayer, E. M., Benitez-Alfonso, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodesmata:+Channels+under+pressure.">Plasmodesmata: Channels under pressure.</a> Annu Rev Plant Biol. 75, 21 (2024).</li><li>Maule, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodesmata:+Structure,+function+and+biogenesis.">Plasmodesmata: Structure, function and biogenesis.</a> Curr Opin Plant Biol. 11, 680-686 (2008).</li><li>Fernandez-Calvino, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arabidopsis+plasmodesmal+proteome.">Arabidopsis plasmodesmal proteome.</a> PLoS One. 6 (4), e18880 (2011).</li><li>Kirk, P., Amsbury, S., German, L., Gaudioso-Pedraza, R., Benitez-Alfonso, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+comparative+meta-proteomic+pipeline+for+the+identification+of+plasmodesmata+proteins+and+regulatory+conditions+in+diverse+plant+species.">A comparative meta-proteomic pipeline for the identification of plasmodesmata proteins and regulatory conditions in diverse plant species.</a> BMC Biol. 20, 128 (2022).</li><li>Levy, A., Erlanger, M., Rosenthal, M., Epel, B. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+plasmodesmata-associated+&#946;-1,3-glucanase+in+Arabidopsis.">A plasmodesmata-associated &#946;-1,3-glucanase in Arabidopsis.</a> The Plant J. 49 (4), 669-682 (2007).</li><li>Kankanala, P., Czymmek, K., Valent, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Roles+for+rice+membrane+dynamics+and+plasmodesmata+during+biotrophic+invasion+by+the+blast+fungus.">Roles for rice membrane dynamics and plasmodesmata during biotrophic invasion by the blast fungus.</a> The Plant Cell. 19 (2), 706-724 (2007).</li><li>Aung, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogenic+bacteria+target+plant+plasmodesmata+to+colonize+and+invade+surrounding+tissues.">Pathogenic bacteria target plant plasmodesmata to colonize and invade surrounding tissues.</a> The Plant Cell. 32 (3), 595-611 (2020).</li><li>Cui, W., Lee, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arabidopsis+callose+synthases+CalS1/8+regulate+plasmodesmal+permeability+during+stress.">Arabidopsis callose synthases CalS1/8 regulate plasmodesmal permeability during stress.</a> Nat Plants. 2 (5), 160 (2016).</li><li>Liu, N. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phytosphinganine+affects+plasmodesmata+permeability+via+facilitating+PDLP5-stimulated+callose+accumulation+in+Arabidopsis.">Phytosphinganine affects plasmodesmata permeability via facilitating PDLP5-stimulated callose accumulation in Arabidopsis.</a> Mol Plant. 13 (1), 128-143 (2020).</li><li>Caillaud, M. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+plasmodesmal+protein+PDLP1+localizes+to+haustoria-associated+membranes+during+downy+mildew+infection+and+regulates+callose+deposition.">The plasmodesmal protein PDLP1 localizes to haustoria-associated membranes during downy mildew infection and regulates callose deposition.</a> PLoS Pathog. 10 (11), e1004496 (2014).</li><li>Li, Z., Su-Ling, L., Christian, M., Walley, J. W., Aung, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodesmata-located+protein+6+regulates+plasmodesmal+function+in+Arabidopsis+vasculature.">Plasmodesmata-located protein 6 regulates plasmodesmal function in Arabidopsis vasculature.</a> The Plant Cell. , (2024).</li><li>Chen, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arabidopsis+PDLP7+modulated+plasmodesmata+function+is+related+to+BG10-dependent+glucosidase+activity+required+for+callose+degradation.">Arabidopsis PDLP7 modulated plasmodesmata function is related to BG10-dependent glucosidase activity required for callose degradation.</a> Sci Bull. , (2024).</li><li>Simpson, C., Thomas, C., Findlay, K., Bayer, E., Maule, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Arabidopsis+GPI-anchor+plasmodesmal+neck+protein+with+callose+binding+activity+and+potential+to+regulate+cell-to-cell+trafficking.">An Arabidopsis GPI-anchor plasmodesmal neck protein with callose binding activity and potential to regulate cell-to-cell trafficking.</a> The Plant Cell. 21 (2), 581-594 (2009).</li><li>Thomas, C. L., Bayer, E. M., Ritzenthaler, C., Fernandez-Calvino, L., Maule, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Specific+targeting+of+a+plasmodesmal+protein+affecting+cell-to-cell+communication.">Specific targeting of a plasmodesmal protein affecting cell-to-cell communication.</a> PLoS Biol. 6 (1), e7 (2008).</li><li>Lim, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasmodesmata+localizing+proteins+regulate+transport+and+signaling+during+systemic+acquired+immunity+in+plants.">Plasmodesmata localizing proteins regulate transport and signaling during systemic acquired immunity in plants.</a> Cell Host Microbe. 19 (4), 541-549 (2016).</li><li>Sheludko, Y. V., Sindarovska, Y. R., Gerasymenko, I. M., Bannikova, M. A., Kuchuk, N. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+several+Nicotiana+species+as+hosts+for+high-scale+Agrobacterium-mediated+transient+expression.">Comparison of several Nicotiana species as hosts for high-scale Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression.</a> Biotechnol Bioeng. 96 (3), 608-614 (2007).</li><li>Walhout, A. J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GATEWAY+recombinational+cloning:+Application+to+the+cloning+of+large+numbers+of+open+reading+frames+or+ORFeomes.">GATEWAY recombinational cloning: Application to the cloning of large numbers of open reading frames or ORFeomes.</a> Methods Enzymol. 328, 575-592 (2000).</li><li>Huang, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=dsRNA-induced+immunity+targets+plasmodesmata+and+is+suppressed+by+viral+movement+proteins.">dsRNA-induced immunity targets plasmodesmata and is suppressed by viral movement proteins.</a> The Plant Cell. 35 (10), 3845-3869 (2023).</li><li>Roberts, I. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+changes+in+the+frequency+and+architecture+of+plasmodesmata+during+the+sink-source+transition+in+tobacco+leaves.">Dynamic changes in the frequency and architecture of plasmodesmata during the sink-source transition in tobacco leaves.</a> Protoplasma. 218, 31-44 (2001).</li><li>Yuan, C., Lazarowitz, S. G., Citovsky, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+plasmodesmal+localization+signal+of+TMV+MP+is+recognized+by+plant+synaptotagmin+SYTA.">The plasmodesmal localization signal of TMV MP is recognized by plant synaptotagmin SYTA.</a> mBio. 9 (4), e01314-e01318 (2018).</li><li>Ward, S. J., Ramirez, M. D., Neelakantan, H., Walker, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cannabidiol+prevents+the+development+of+cold+and+mechanical+allodynia+in+paclitaxel-treated+female+C57Bl6+mice.">Cannabidiol prevents the development of cold and mechanical allodynia in paclitaxel-treated female C57Bl6 mice.</a> Anesth Analg. 113 (4), 947-950 (2011).</li><li>Erkkil&#228;, M. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Widefield+fluorescence+lifetime+imaging+of+protoporphyrin+IX+for+fluorescence-guided+neurosurgery:+An+ex+vivo+feasibility+study.">Widefield fluorescence lifetime imaging of protoporphyrin IX for fluorescence-guided neurosurgery: An ex vivo feasibility study.</a> J Biophotonics. 12 (6), e201800378 (2019).</li><li>Levy, A., Zheng, J. Y., Lazarowitz, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tobamovirus+Turnip+vein+clearing+virus+30-kilodalton+movement+protein+localizes+to+novel+nuclear+filaments+to+enhance+virus+infection.">The tobamovirus Turnip vein clearing virus 30-kilodalton movement protein localizes to novel nuclear filaments to enhance virus infection.</a> J Virol. 87 (11), 6428-6440 (2013).</li><li>Yuan, C., Lazarowitz, S. G., Citovsky, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+functional+plasmodesmal+localization+signal+in+a+plant+viral+cell-to-cell-movement+protein.">Identification of a functional plasmodesmal localization signal in a plant viral cell-to-cell-movement protein.</a> mBio. 7 (1), e2052-e2015 (2016).</li><li>Kumar, G., Dasgupta, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variability,+functions+and+interactions+of+plant+virus+movement+proteins:+what+do+we+know+so+far.">Variability, functions and interactions of plant virus movement proteins: what do we know so far.</a> Microorganisms. 9 (4), 695 (2021).</li><li>Waigmann, E., Ueki, S., Trutnyeva, K., Citovsky, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+ins+and+outs+of+nondestructive+cell-to-cell+and+systemic+movement+of+plant+viruses.">The ins and outs of nondestructive cell-to-cell and systemic movement of plant viruses.</a> Crit Rev Plant Sci. 23 (3), 195-250 (2004).</li></ol>

The authors declare no competing interests.

Any cell biological studies of plant intercellular communication and cell-to-cell transport during normal plant development and morphogenesis, as well as during plant-pathogen interactions, necessitate the detection and monitoring of the sorting of proteins-both endogenous and pathogen-encoded-to plant intercellular connections, the plasmodesmata (PD). These experiments would be substantially facilitated by using reference proteins, whether endogenous or pathogen-derived, that faithfully and consistently localize to PD, ...

Plasmodesmata (PD) play a fundamental role in controlling plant development, environmental responses, and interactions with viral pathogens through the regulation of intercellular communication1,2. PD initially forms during cytokinesis, with hundreds of PD inserted into the new cell between the two daughter cells, thus supplying the channels for cell-to-cell communication3,4. PD is a membrane-rich structure, containing the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived membrane, a trans-PD desmotubule, in the central part of the pores that are lined by the plasma membrane3,4. Comparative proteomic approaches identified numerous PD functional proteins, including &#946;-1,3-glucanases (BGs), callose synthases (CALSs), plasmodesmata-located proteins (PDLPs), callose-binding proteins (PDCBs), multiple C2 domains transmembrane region proteins (MCTPs)3, and leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (RLK)5. Recently, Kirk et al. developed a tool termed plasmodesmata in silico proteome 1 (PIP1), which made it possible to predict new PD proteins in 22 plant species6. PD varies in permeability and structure during plant development and response to various stresses. Callose (&#946;-1,3-glucan) deposition and hydrolysis at the neck region surrounding the PD is one of the broadly known mechanisms of PD regulation7.
Many pathogenic microbes, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, can manipulate the PD dilation or structure during their infection2,8,9. Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative agent of rice blast, deploys intracellular invasive hyphae to move from cell to cell through PD8. A bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv.&#160;tomato requires an effector protein HopO1-1 for intercellular movement and spread in the host plant through interacting with and destabilizing PDLP7, thus increasing the molecular flux in neighboring cells in Arabidopsis9. However, plant viruses are more versatile in regulating PD during their intercellular transmission, with the viral movement protein (MP) promoting cell-to-cell movement2. Owing to their important function in regulating plant development and growth, as well as their interaction with plant pathogenic microbes, PD has gained increasing attention in recent years. In Arabidopsis thaliana, there are two major types of PD functional proteins, PDLPs (1-8) and PDCBs (1-5), and many of them, e.g., PDLP51,10,11, PDLP112, PDLP613, PDLP714, and PDCB115, were found to play a role in manipulating the PD permeability through regulation of callose deposition. However, some PDLPs were found to have a functional redundancy, e.g., knockout mutants of pdlp1 and pdlp1,2 did not affect the molecular trafficking, although double knockout mutants of pdlp1,3 and pdlp2,3 showed increased plasmodesmal permeability16. Interestingly, downregulation/knockout or over-expression of PDLP5 alone results in an increase or decrease in plasmodesmal permeability, respectively1,17. Recently, Li et al. have found that PDLP5 and PDLP6 function at different cell interfaces13. These results indicate that PDLP5 might have non-redundant functions with other PDLPs.
Due to the critical function of PD in intercellular communication, we developed a protocol for deploying the plant PD proteins PDLP5 and PDCB1 and the viral cell-to-cell movement protein (MP) of the Turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV) as simple, convenient, and reliable PD markers for cell biology experimentation. For further verification, visualization of PD using aniline blue staining of the sampled tissues proceeded in parallel. The protocols described for PD localization of PDLP5, PDCB1, and TVCV MP can be easily adapted to analyze potential PD localization of any cellular or pathogen-derived proteins in living plants.

<table><tbody><tr><td>ABT AC 1 phase motor</td><td>BRANDTECH</td><td>&amp;nbsp;ABF63/4C-7RQ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;em&gt;Agrobacterium tumefaciens &lt;/em&gt;EHA105</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Contamination control&amp;nbsp;</td><td>CCI</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gateway BP Clonase II Enzyme mix</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>#11789020</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gateway LR Clonase II Enzyme mix</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>#11791020</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>GraphPad Prism 8.0.1.</td><td>GraphPad Software Inc.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Image J</td><td>National Institutes of Health and the Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Laser scanning confocal microscope</td><td>Zeiss</td><td>LSM 900</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;em&gt;Nicotiana benthamiana&lt;/em&gt;</td><td>Plant species</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>pDONR207</td><td>Invitrogen</td><td>#12213013</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Q5 High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase</td><td>NEB</td><td>#M0491S</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

confocal microscopy analysis of protein sorting to plasmodesmata in nicotiana benthamiana

Plasmodesmata are membranous nanopores that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells and enable the cell-to-cell trafficking of nutrients, macromolecules, as well as invading viruses. Plasmodesmata play fundamental roles in the regulation of intercellular communication, contributing to plant development, environmental responses, and interactions with viral pathogens. Discovering plasmodesmal localization of plant or viral proteins could provide useful functional information about the protein and is important for understanding the mechanisms of plant-virus interactions. To facilitate these studies, we describe a protocol for confocal microscopy-based analysis of different plasmodesmal targeting proteins to select the best plasmodesmal marker for studying the virus-plasmodesmata interactions or plasmodesmal transport. Specifically, the analyses of these events are illustrated using the cell-to-cell movement protein (MP) of the Turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV), the Arabidopsis Plasmodesmata-Localized Protein 5 (PDLP5) and Plasmodesmata Callose-Binding Protein 1 (PDCB1). The protein plasmodesmal localization data are analyzed in parallel with the global visualization of plasmodesmata using aniline blue staining of the sampled tissues. These approaches can be easily adapted to analyze the plasmodesmal localization of any cellular or pathogen proteins in planta.

To facilitate studies of PD function in plant physiology and interactions with pathogens, three simple and reliable reference proteins were developed for PD localization. Two cellular PD proteins and a pathogen-derived MP protein encoded by the plant tobamovirus TVCV were selected. The subcellular localization of these proteins was visualized using an autofluorescent reporter EGFP fused to the C-terminus of each protein. In an alternative approach, PD were visualized using aniline blue staining of the PD-associated callo...

Author Spotlight: Microscopic Analysis of Protein Localization at Plasmodesmata in Plants

This protocol describes the selection of optimal plasmodesmal markers for confocal microscopy-based analyses of protein targeting to plasmodesmata during virus-plasmodesmata interactions or plasmodesmal transport.

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Protein Sorting to Plasmodesmata in Nicotiana benthamiana

Plasmodesmata are membranous nanopores that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells and enable the cell-to-cell trafficking of nutrients, ...

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1.9K Views.  State University of New York. This protocol describes the selection of optimal plasmodesmal markers for confocal microscopy-based analyses of protein targeting to plasmodesmata during virus-plasmodesmata interactions or plasmodesmal transport.

Video: Author Spotlight: Microscopic Analysis of Protein Localization at Plasmodesmata in Plants

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) functions as a conserved stem cell reservoir and it generates almost all aboveground tissues during the postembryonic development. The activity and morphology of SAMs determine important agronomic traits, such as shoot architecture, size and number of reproductive organs, and most importantly, grain yield. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for analyzing both the surface morphology and the internal cellular structure of the living SAMs from different species through laser scanning confocal microscope. The whole procedure from the sample preparation to the acquisition of high resolution three-dimensional (3D) images can be accomplished within as short as 20 minutes. We demonstrate that this protocol is highly efficient for studying not only the inflorescence SAMs of the model species but also the vegetative meristems from different crops, providing a simple but powerful tool to study the organization and development of meristems across different plant species.

This protocol presents how to live image and analyze the shoot apical meristems from different plant species using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) functions as a conserved stem cell reservoir and it generates almost all aboveground tissues during the postembryonic ...

Developmental Biology

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting of Plant Protoplasts

High-resolution, cell type-specific analysis of gene expression greatly enhances understanding of developmental regulation and responses to environmental stimuli in any multicellular organism. In situ hybridization and reporter gene visualization can to a limited extent be used to this end but for high resolution quantitative RT-PCR or high-throughput transcriptome-wide analysis the isolation of RNA from particular cell types is requisite. Cellular dissociation of tissue expressing a fluorescent protein marker in a specific cell type and subsequent Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) makes it possible to collect sufficient amounts of material for RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis/amplification and microarray analysis.
An extensive set of cell type-specific fluorescent reporter lines is available to the plant research community. In this case, two marker lines of the Arabidopsis thaliana root are used: PSCR::GFP (endodermis and quiescent center) and PWOX5::GFP (quiescent center). Large numbers (thousands) of seedlings are grown hydroponically or on agar plates and harvested to obtain enough root material for further analysis. Cellular dissociation of plant material is achieved by enzymatic digestion of the cell wall. This procedure makes use of high osmolarity-induced plasmolysis and commercially available cellulases, pectinases and hemicellulases to release protoplasts into solution.
FACS of GFP-positive cells makes use of the visualization of the green versus the red emission spectra of protoplasts excited by a 488 nm laser. GFP-positive protoplasts can be distinguished by their increased ratio of green to red emission. Protoplasts are typically sorted directly into RNA extraction buffer and stored for further processing at a later time.
This technique is revealed to be straightforward and practicable. Furthermore, it is shown that it can be used without difficulty to isolate sufficient numbers of cells for transcriptome analysis, even for very scarce cell types (e.g. quiescent center cells). Lastly, a growth setup for Arabidopsis seedlings is demonstrated that enables uncomplicated treatment of the plants prior to cell sorting (e.g. for the cell type-specific analysis of biotic or abiotic stress responses). Potential supplementary uses for FACS of plant protoplasts are discussed.

A method for isolating specific cell types from plant material is demonstrated. This technique employs transgenic marker lines expressing fluorescent proteins in particular cell types, cellular dissociation and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting. Additionally, a growth setup is established here that facilitates treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings prior to cell sorting.

High-resolution, cell type-specific analysis of gene expression greatly enhances understanding of developmental regulation and responses to environmental ...

A Cell-to-cell Macromolecular Transport Assay in Planta Utilizing Biolistic Bombardment

Here, we present a simple and rapid protocol to detect and assess the extent of cell-to-cell macromolecular transport in planta. In this protocol, a fluorescently tagged-protein of interest is transiently expressed in plant tissue following biolistic delivery of its encoding DNA construct. The intra- and intercellular distribution of the tagged protein is then analyzed by confocal microscopy. We describe this technology in detail, providing step-by-step protocols to assay and evaluate the extent of symplastic protein transport in three plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum (tobacco).

A Cell-to-cell Macromolecular Transport Assay in Planta Utilizing Biolistic Bombardment

Macromolecular trafficking between plant cells can be assessed by transiently expressing a fluorescently-tagged protein of interest and analyzing its intra- and intercellular distribution by confocal microscopy.

Here, we present a simple and rapid protocol to detect and assess the extent of cell-to-cell macromolecular transport in planta. In this protocol, a ...

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta

Plasmodesmata (Pd) are cell-to-cell connections that function as gateways through which small and large molecules are transported between plant cells. Whereas Pd transport of small molecules, such as ions and water, is presumed to occur passively, cell-to-cell transport of biological macromolecules, such proteins, most likely occurs via an active mechanism that involves specific targeting signals on the transported molecule. The scarcity of identified plasmodesmata (Pd) localization signals (PLSs) has severely restricted the understanding of protein-sorting pathways involved in plant cell-to-cell macromolecular transport and communication. From a wealth of plant endogenous and viral proteins known to traffic through Pd, only three PLSs have been reported to date, all of them from endogenous plant proteins. Thus, it is important to develop a reliable and systematic experimental strategy to identify a functional PLS sequence, that is both necessary and sufficient for Pd targeting, directly in the living plant cells. Here, we describe one such strategy using as a paradigm the cell-to-cell movement protein (MP) of the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). These experiments, that identified and characterized the first plant viral PLS, can be adapted for discovery of PLS sequences in most Pd-targeted proteins.

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta

Plant intercellular connections, the plasmodesmata (Pd), play central roles in plant physiology and plant-virus interactions. Critical to Pd transport are sorting signals that direct proteins to Pd. However, our knowledge about these sequences is still in its infancy. We describe a strategy to identify Pd localization signals in Pd-targeted proteins.

Plasmodesmata (Pd) are cell-to-cell connections that function as gateways through which small and large molecules are transported between plant cells. ...

Immunology and Infection

Protein Membrane Overlay Assay: A Protocol to Test Interaction Between Soluble and Insoluble Proteins in vitro

Validating interactions between different proteins is vital for investigation of their biological functions on the molecular level. There are several methods, both in vitro and in vivo, to evaluate protein binding, and at least two methods that complement the shortcomings of each other should be conducted to obtain reliable insights. 
For an in vivo assay, the bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay represents the most popular and least invasive approach that enables to detect protein-protein interaction within living cells, as well as identify the intracellular localization of the interacting proteins 1,2. In this assay, non-fluorescent N- and C-terminal halves of GFP or its variants are fused to tested proteins, and when the two fusion proteins are brought together due to the tested proteins&#x2019; interactions, the fluorescent signal is reconstituted3-6. Because its signal is readily detectable by epifluorescence or confocal microscopy, BiFC has emerged as a powerful tool of choice among cell biologists for studying about protein-protein interactions in living cells 3. This assay, however, can sometimes produce false positive results. For example, the fluorescent signal can be reconstituted by two GFP fragments arranged as far as 7 nm from each other due to close packing in a small subcellular compartment, rather that due to specific interactions7.
Due to these limitations, the results obtained from live cell imaging technologies should be confirmed by an independent approach based on a different principle for detecting protein interactions. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) or glutathione transferase (GST) pull-down assays represent such alternative methods that are commonly used to analyze protein-protein interactions in vitro. However, iIn these assays, however, the tested proteins must be readily soluble in the buffer that supportsused for the binding reaction. Therefore, specific interactions involving an insoluble protein cannot be assessed by these techniques.
 Here, we illustrate the protocol for the protein membrane overlay binding assay, which circumvents this difficulty. In this technique, interaction between soluble and insoluble proteins can be reliably tested because one of the proteins is immobilized on a membrane matrix. This method, in combination with in vivo experiments, such as BiFC, provides a reliable approach to investigate and characterize interactions faithfully between soluble and insoluble proteins. In this article, binding between Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) movement protein (MP), which exerts multiple functions during viral cell-to-cell transport8-14, and a recently identified plant cellular interactor, tobacco ankyrin repeat-containing protein (ANK) 15, is demonstrated using this technique.

Protein Membrane Overlay Assay: A Protocol to Test Interaction Between Soluble and Insoluble Proteins in vitro

Testing protein-protein interaction is indispensable for dissection of protein functionality. Here, we introduce an in vitro protein-protein binding assay to probe a membrane-immobilized protein with a soluble protein. This assay provides a reliable method to test interaction between an insoluble protein and a protein in solution.

Validating interactions between different proteins is vital for investigation of their biological functions on the molecular level.  There are several ...

Detection of Protein Interactions in Plant using a Gateway Compatible Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) System

We have developed a BiFC technique to test the interaction between two proteins in vivo. This is accomplished by splitting a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) into two non-overlapping fragments. Each fragment is cloned in-frame to a gene of interest. These constructs can then be co-transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana via Agrobacterium mediated transformation, allowing the transit expression of fusion proteins. The reconstitution of YFP signal only occurs when the inquest proteins interact 1-7. To test and validate the protein-protein interactions, BiFC can be used together with yeast two hybrid (Y2H) assay. This may detect indirect interactions which can be overlooked in the Y2H. Gateway technology is a universal platform that enables researchers to shuttle the gene of interest (GOI) into as many expression and functional analysis systems as possible8,9. Both the orientation and reading frame can be maintained without using restriction enzymes or ligation to make expression-ready clones. As a result, one can eliminate all the re-sequencing steps to ensure consistent results throughout the experiments. We have created a series of Gateway compatible BiFC and Y2H vectors which provide researchers with easy-to-use tools to perform both BiFC and Y2H assays10. Here, we demonstrate the ease of using our BiFC system to test protein-protein interactions in N. benthamiana plants.

Detection of Protein Interactions in Plant using a Gateway Compatible Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation BiFC System

We have developed a technique to test protein-protein interactions in plant. A yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) is split into two non-overlapping fragments. Each fragment is cloned in-frame to a gene of interest via Gateway system, enabling expression of fusion proteins. Reconstitution of YFP signal only occurs when the inquest proteins interact.

We have developed a BiFC technique to test the interaction between two proteins in vivo. This is accomplished by splitting a yellow fluorescent protein ...

Protein-protein Interactions Visualized by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation in Tobacco Protoplasts and Leaves

Many proteins interact transiently with other proteins or are integrated into multi-protein complexes to perform their biological function. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is an in vivo method to monitor such interactions in plant cells. In the presented protocol the investigated candidate proteins are fused to complementary halves of fluorescent proteins and the respective constructs are introduced into plant cells via agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Subsequently, the proteins are transiently expressed in tobacco leaves and the restored fluorescent signals can be detected with a confocal laser scanning microscope in the intact cells. This allows not only visualization of the interaction itself, but also the subcellular localization of the protein complexes can be determined. For this purpose, marker genes containing a fluorescent tag can be coexpressed along with the BiFC constructs, thus visualizing cellular structures such as the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus or the plasma membrane. The fluorescent signal can be monitored either directly in epidermal leaf cells or in single protoplasts, which can be easily isolated from the transformed tobacco leaves. BiFC is ideally suited to study protein-protein interactions in their natural surroundings within the living cell. However, it has to be considered that the expression has to be driven by strong promoters and that the interaction partners are modified due to fusion of the relatively large fluorescence tags, which might interfere with the interaction mechanism. Nevertheless, BiFC is an excellent complementary approach to other commonly applied methods investigating protein-protein interactions, such as coimmunoprecipitation, in vitro pull-down assays or yeast-two-hybrid experiments.

Formation of protein complexes in vivo can be visualized by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Interaction partners are fused to complementary parts of fluorescent tags and transiently expressed in tobacco leaves, resulting in a reconstituted fluorescent signal upon close proximity of the two proteins.

Many proteins interact transiently with other proteins or are integrated into multi-protein complexes to perform their biological function. Bimolecular ...

Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System

Visualization of dynamic signaling events in live cells has been a challenge. We expanded an established transient expression system, the biomolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) assay in tobacco epidermal cells, from testing protein-protein interaction to monitoring spatial distribution of signal transduction in plant cells. In this protocol, we used the BiFC assay to show that the interaction and the signaling between the Arabidopsis MAPKKK YODA and MAPK6 occur at the plasma membrane. When the scaffold protein BASL was co-expressed, the YODA-MAPK interaction redistributed and spatially co-polarized with CFP-BASL. This modified tobacco expression system allows for quick examination of signaling localization and dynamic changes (less than 4 days) and can accommodate multiple of fluorescent protein colors (at least three). We also presented detailed methods to quantify protein distribution (asymmetric spatial localization, or &#34;polarization&#34;) in tobacco cells. This advanced tobacco expression system has a potential to be used widely for quick testing of dynamic signaling events in live plant cells.

At the subcellular level, signaling events are dynamically modulated by developmental and environmental cues. Here we describe a protocol that employs the tobacco transient expression system to monitor dynamic protein-protein interaction and to disclose spatial organization of signal transduction in plant cells.

Visualization of dynamic signaling events in live cells has been a challenge. We expanded an established transient expression system, the biomolecular ...

Luciferase Complementation Imaging Assay in Nicotiana benthamiana Leaves for Transiently Determining Protein-protein Interaction Dynamics

Protein-protein interactions are fundamental mechanisms for relaying signal transduction in most cellular processes; therefore, identification of novel protein-protein interaction pairs and monitoring protein interaction dynamics are of particular interest for revealing how plants respond to environmental factors and/or developmental signals. A plethora of approaches have been developed to examine protein-protein interactions, either in vitro or in vivo. Among them, the recently established luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) assay is the simplest and fastest method for demonstrating in vivo protein-protein interactions. In this assay, protein A or protein B is fused with the amino-terminal or carboxyl-terminal half of luciferase, respectively. When protein A interacts with protein B, the two halves of luciferase will be reconstituted to form a functional and active luciferase enzyme. Luciferase activity can be recorded with a luminometer or CCD-camera. Compared with other approaches, the LCI assay shows protein-protein interactions both qualitatively and quantitatively. Agrobacterium infiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is a widely used system for transient protein expression. With the combination of LCI and transient expression, these approaches show that the physical interaction between COP1 and SPA1 was gradually reduced after jasmonate treatment.

Luciferase Complementation Imaging Assay in Nicotiana benthamiana Leaves for Transiently Determining Protein-protein Interaction Dynamics

This manuscript describes an easy and rapid experimental procedure for determining protein-protein interactions based on the measurement of luciferase activity.

Protein-protein interactions are fundamental mechanisms for relaying signal transduction in most cellular processes; therefore, identification of novel ...

Determination of Tripartite Interaction between Two Monomers of a MADS-box Transcription Factor and a Calcium Sensor Protein by BiFC-FRET-FLIM Assay

Protein-protein interactions are an integral part of all biological processes in the cells as they play a crucial role in regulating, maintaining, and amending cellular functions. These interactions are involved in a wide range of phenomena such as signal transduction, pathogen response, cell-cell interactions, metabolic and developmental processes. In the case of transcription factors, these interactions may lead to oligomerization of subunits, sequestering in specific subcellular contexts such as the nucleus, cytoplasm, etc., which, in turn, might have a more profound effect on the expression of the downstream genes. Here, we demonstrate a methodology to visualize in vivo tripartite interaction using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) based F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) involving Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM). Two of the proteins selected for this demonstration interact as BiFC partners, and their reconstituted fluorescence activity is used to assay FRET-FLIM with the third partner. Four to five-week-old growth-chamber-grown Nicotiana benthamiana plants have been used as the model plant system for this demonstration.

Here we present, a method to visualize ternary complex formation between three protein partners using fluorescent-tagged proteins by BiFC based FRET-FLIM assay. This method is valuable for studying protein-protein interaction complexes in vivo.

Protein-protein interactions are an integral part of all biological processes in the cells as they play a crucial role in regulating, maintaining, and ...

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Protein Sorting to Plasmodesmata in Nicotiana benthamiana

Summary

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Chapters in this video

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting of Plant Protoplasts

A Cell-to-cell Macromolecular Transport Assay in Planta Utilizing Biolistic Bombardment

Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta

Protein Membrane Overlay Assay: A Protocol to Test Interaction Between Soluble and Insoluble Proteins in vitro

Detection of Protein Interactions in Plant using a Gateway Compatible Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) System

Protein-protein Interactions Visualized by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation in Tobacco Protoplasts and Leaves

Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System

Luciferase Complementation Imaging Assay in Nicotiana benthamiana Leaves for Transiently Determining Protein-protein Interaction Dynamics

Determination of Tripartite Interaction between Two Monomers of a MADS-box Transcription Factor and a Calcium Sensor Protein by BiFC-FRET-FLIM Assay