Viewpoint: Cell-cell junctions: What’s their function? (New Phytol)

Plasmodesmata are contiguous cell-cell junctions that provide an avenue for intracellular (symplastic) communication between neighboring plant cells. In recent years, researchers have unravelled key aspects of plasmodesmata development and function in cell-cell signalling during a multitude of responses to endogenous or external stimuli. In a recent Viewpoint article, Lu et al. discuss these advances and suggest that future studies focused on translating structural observations into functional mechanisms will be of particular importance in understanding how plasmodesmata regulate symplastic communication during localized and systemic responses. (Summary by Phil Carella) New Phytol. 10.1111/nph.15130