Long-term single-cell imaging and simulations of microtubules reveal principles behind wall patterning during proto-xylem development

Abstract Plants are the tallest organisms on Earth; a feature sustained by solute-transporting xylem vessels in plant vasculature. The supported strong cell walls that assembled intricate patterns. Cortical microtubules direct wall deposition and need to rapidly re-organize during development. Here, we establish long-term live-cell imaging of single Arabidopsis cells undergoing proto-xylem trans -differentiation, resulting spiral patterns, understand microtubule re-organization. We find re-organization requires local de-stabilization band-interspersing gaps. Using simulations, recapitulate process silico predict spatio-temporal control nucleation is critical for pattern formation, which confirm vivo. By combining simulations further explain how wall-deficient microtubule-severing KATANIN contributes patterning. Hence, quantitative microscopy modelling devise framework supports