马桑内酯慢性致痫大鼠海马星形胶质细胞的激活

目的：研究慢性癫痛大鼠点时海马星形胶细胞的激活情况。方法：采用马桑内酯慢性癫痫大鼠模型,观察大鼠点燃后海马NF－kBp65和胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP）免疫细胞化学反应（immunoreactivity,IR)的变化。结果：点燃后1h,海马CA1区GFAR－IR开始增强,4－8h可观察到GFAP－IR阳性细胞数量增多并明显浓染。这种强GFAP－IR持续至点燃点24h点燃后1h,NF－kBp65即可在海马CA1区神经元和胶质细胞内表达,主要位于胞核内,至8h阳性神经元细胞核基本消失而可见大量NF－kBp65－IR阳性的胶质细胞,双重免疫细胞化学方法显示GFAP／NF－kBp65－IR阳性细胞在点燃后1h即可观察到,4h表达最高峰,24h恢复对照组水平。结论：马桑内酯慢性致痫大鼠点燃时星形胶质细胞表现一种早期而持续的激活,提示反复激活的星形胶质细胞对癫痫的复发可能起重要的作用。     

成年大鼠吻侧迁移流的神经发生

目的探讨成年SD大鼠吻侧迁移流(rostral migratory stream,RMS)的神经发生。方法成年6周龄SD大鼠被处死。矢状位切片,免疫组织化学染色观察RMS区微管相关蛋白双皮质素(doublecortin,DCX)及胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)的表达及DCX/GFAP、DCX/p-CREB的共表达情况。结果在RMS区的垂直臂、肘部、水平臂均有DCX阳性细胞和GFAP阳性细胞,RMS区有GFAP/DCX和p-CREB/DCX共表达细胞。结论吻侧迁移流有广泛的神经元前体细胞及星形胶质细胞标记物表达;迁移神经元标记物可表达于星形胶质细胞,且神经元的迁移受到CREB信号通路的调控。     

C1型尼曼-匹克氏症小鼠嗅球胶质细胞的活性变化

本文观察Npc1基因突变对于小鼠嗅球神经胶质细胞活性的影响,探讨C1型尼曼-匹克氏症的病理机制。提取鼠尾基因组DNA,采用PCR检测基因型;采用免疫荧光组织化学染色观察出生后30 d的小鼠嗅球中小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞的活性反应;采用免疫印迹方法检测嗅球中Neu N、神经丝蛋白(neurofilament,NF)、双皮质素(Doublecortin,DCX)、CD68和GFAP的蛋白表达情况。结果显示,Npc1基因突变导致小鼠嗅球中CD68和GFAP蛋白表达显著上调,小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞的活性明显增强;磷酸化NF的表达也明显增加,而DCX的表达量显著下调。以上结果提示,Npc1基因突变在早期能够引起小鼠嗅球发生一些变化。     

牦牛海马的形态特征及成体神经发生的初探

采用传统H.E 染色和Golgi-Cox 染色方法观察成年牦牛海马结构的形态和细胞构筑,并通过DCX - DAB免疫组化染色和DCX/ NeuN、GFAP / NeuN 双重免疫荧光标记等技术观察齿状回颗粒下层中的新生神经元和放射状胶质细胞。结果表明,牦牛海马结构主要包括齿状回和海马本部,二者分层清晰。海马的主要细胞为颗粒细胞、苔藓细胞和锥体细胞。CA3 区的锥体细胞胞体较CA1 区的大,但其顶树突的平均长度较短。CA1 区的锥体细胞明显分为两层,而CA3 区的则为一层。DCX 阳性细胞的胞体主要集中在齿状回颗粒下层靠近门区处,沿颗粒层内侧单个或少数聚集分布。沿齿状回颗粒下层分布着一层GFAP 阳性的放射状胶质细胞样细胞,其胞质和单极性的细长突起均呈GFAP 阳性,而胞核为阴性。在整个海马结构中均有大量星形GFAP 阳性细胞散在分布,特别是海马分子层和门区内靠近颗粒层部分的密度较其它部位大。牦牛海马的形态结构与绵羊的相似,而与大鼠、小鼠、家猫、兔子等小型哺乳动物有一定差别。两种DCX 免疫组化实验结果表明在牦牛海马中存在着新生神经元。GFAP 免疫荧光标记表明,牦牛海马结构中分布有星形胶质细胞;特别是放射状胶质细胞。     

癫痫发作敏感大鼠前深梨状皮层T区神经病理观察

目的和方法：采用颞叶癫痫红藻氨酸（kainic acid,KA)模型,制备癫痫发作敏感大鼠,并分别以硫瑾染色和GFAP（神经胶质原纤维酸性蛋白,glial fibrilary acidic protein)免疫组化方法检测前深梨状皮层T区（area tempestas,AT)内神经元损伤及星形胶质细胞增生情况,并与经蝎毒（scorpion venom,SV)处理后癫痫发作敏感性明显降低的大鼠进行比较。结果：与对照组比较,癫痫敏感动物前深梨状皮层T区锥体细胞数目明显减少,GFAP免疫反应阳性星形胶质细胞数目明显增加,染色强度明显增强,（P＜0．05）以剂量为100mg/kg/日的蝎毒给予动物连续灌胃三周,可明显降低其癫痫发作敏感性（P＜0．05）,而脑内梨状皮层T区锥体细胞脱失减轻,GPAP免疫反应活性未见明显增强。结论：推测梨状皮层T区硬化（神经元脱失,星形胶质细胞增生肥大）很可能是癫痫发作敏感性长期存在的重要原因。     

Aβ25～35诱导大鼠记忆减退与星形胶质细胞及NOS阳性细胞变化

目的探讨Aβ25～35诱导模拟人类Alzheimer`s病(AD)的大鼠病理模型中星形胶质细胞变化与一氧化氮合酶神经元损伤引起的老年性记忆减退之间的关系.方法双侧海马内注射β-淀粉样多肽25～35片段(Aβ25～35)制作大鼠AD模型,注射一周后采用NOS组化染色、GFAP免疫组化染色及NOS组化和GFAP双重染色分析大鼠海马GFAP与NOS的表达.结果海马内注射Aβ25～35后出现海马星形胶质细胞增生、肥大、数目明显多于对照组(P<0.05),并出现一氧化氮阳性星形胶质细胞;海马一氧化氮神经元数量较对照组显著减少(P<0.05).结论 AD模型大鼠学习记忆功能低下与Aβ神经毒性导致NOS阳性神经元损伤、死亡直接相关,反应性星形胶质细胞参与Aβ导致NOS神经元细胞毒性损伤作用,间接导致学习记忆能力减退.     

miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响

为了考察miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响。本研究通过腹腔注射氯化锂和毛果芸香碱诱导癫痫大鼠模型,对大鼠脑室内注射miR-103a抑制剂来敲低miR-103a的表达;采用免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠海马组织中胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的阳性表达;采用RT-qPCR和Western blotting方法检测大鼠海马组织中miR-103a、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、GFAP、TNF-α和IL-6的m RNA和蛋白表达;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色评价海马组织病变程度;Nissl染色检测神经元存活情况;TUNEL染色检测神经元的凋亡。结果显示,癫痫大鼠海马组织中miR-103a被上调。下调miR-103a抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中GFAP的mRNA和蛋白表达,且抑制癫痫大鼠海马神经元的病理损伤,但能促进癫痫大鼠海马神经元的存活并抑制其凋亡。此外,下调miR-103a还抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中IL-6和TNF-α的表达,并促进癫痫大鼠海马组织中BDNF的表达。本研究表明,靶向沉默miR-103a可以抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中星形胶质细胞的活化并改善神经元的病理损伤。     

Aβ325～35诱导大鼠记忆减退与星形胶质细胞及NOS阳性细胞变化

目的　探讨Aβ2 5～ 3 5诱导模拟人类Alzheimer‘s病 (AD)的大鼠病理模型中星形胶质细胞变化与一氧化氮合酶神经元损伤引起的老年性记忆减退之间的关系。方法　双侧海马内注射 β-淀粉样多肽 2 5～ 3 5片段 (Aβ2 5～ 3 5 )制作大鼠AD模型 ,注射一周后采用NOS组化染色、GFAP免疫组化染色及NOS组化和GFAP双重染色分析大鼠海马GFAP与NOS的表达。结果　海马内注射Aβ2 5～ 3 5后出现海马星形胶质细胞增生、肥大、数目明显多于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,并出现一氧化氮阳性星形胶质细胞 ;海马一氧化氮神经元数量较对照组显著减少 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　AD模型大鼠学习记忆功能低下与Aβ神经毒性导致NOS阳性神经元损伤、死亡直接相关 ,反应性星形胶质细胞参与Aβ导致NOS神经元细胞毒性损伤作用 ,间接导致学习记忆能力减退     

正加速度暴露对大鼠海马星形胶质细胞GFAP表达的影响

目的探讨正加速度( Gz)重复暴露后不同时间海马星形胶质细胞GFAP表达的变化.方法 SD大鼠60只,随机分成对照组、 Gz重复暴露后1h、6h、12h、24h和48h组,每组10只.采用动物离心机,建立 Gz引发急性脑缺血模型;应用免疫组织化学技术,分别检测 Gz重复暴露后不同时间,海马星形胶质细胞GFAP的表达状况.结果海马星形胶质细胞GFAP阳性细胞数,在 Gz暴露后1h即显著增加,于12h达到高峰,而后逐渐下降,48h仍维持在较高水平,实验组与对照组比较,有显著性差异.结论 Gz重复暴露导致海马星形胶质细胞GFAP表达上调,可能对神经元的缺血损伤起保护作用.     

细胞周期调控对大鼠全脑缺血后海马迟发性神经元死亡的影响

目的观察细胞周期调控对大鼠全脑缺血再灌流后海马区迟发性神经元死亡(delayed neuronal death,DND)以及星形胶质细胞的活化、增殖的影响.方法建立大鼠短暂性全脑缺血再灌流模型,利用尼氏染色、TUNEL、免疫组织化学方法观察再灌流后细胞周期素依赖的蛋白激酶(cyclin depedent kinase, CDK)抑制剂Olomoucine对海马DND以及星形胶质细胞活化增殖的影响.结果全脑缺血再灌流后3d、7d、30d海马神经元明显脱失,部分CA1、CA2区神经元凋亡;星形胶质细胞数目增多,GFAP表达上调,应用Olomoucine后TUNEL阳性神经元数目明显减少,幸存神经元数目增加;星形胶质细胞数目无明显增多,GFAP表达明显下调.结论 CDK抑制剂Olomoucine可有效抑制大鼠全脑缺血后海马神经元DND以及星形胶质细胞活化增殖.     

Dissecting the Heat Stress Response in Chlamydomonas by Pharmaceutical and RNAi Approaches Reveals Conserved and Novel Aspects

To study how conserved fundamental concepts of the heat stress response （HSR） are in photosynthetic eukaryotes, we applied pharmaceutical and antisense/amiRNA approaches to the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The Chlamydomonas HSR appears to be triggered by the accumulation of unfolded proteins, as it was induced at ambient temperatures by feeding cells with the arginine analog canavanine. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine strongly retarded the HSR, demonstrating the importance of phosphorylation during activation of the HSR also in Chlamydomonas. While the removal of extracellular calcium by the application of EGTA and BAPTA inhibited the HSR in moss and higher plants, only the addition of BAPTA, but not of EGTA, retarded the HSR and impaired thermotoler- ance in Chlamydomonas. The addition of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of cytosolic protein synthesis, abolished the attenu- ation of the HSR, indicating that protein synthesis is necessary to restore proteostasis. HSP90 inhibitors induced a stress response when added at ambient conditions and retarded attenuation of the HSR at elevated temperatures. In addition, we detected a direct physical interaction between cytosolic HSP90A/HSP70A and heat shock factor 1, but surprisingly this interaction persisted after the onset of stress. Finally, the expression of antisense constructs targeting chloroplast HSP70B resulted in a delay of the cell＇s entire HSR, thus suggesting the existence of a retrograde stress signaling cascade that is desensitized in HSP7OB-antisense strains.     

Redox Regulation of Arabidopsis Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase

Citrate synthase has a key role in the tricarboxylic （TCA） cycle of mitochondria of all organisms, as it cata- lyzes the first committed step which is the fusion of a carbon-carbon bond between oxaloacetate and acetyl CoA. The regulation of TCA cycle function is especially important in plants, since mitochondrial activities have to be coordinated with photosynthesis. The posttranslational regulation of TCA cycle activity in plants is thus far almost entirely unexplored. Although several TCA cycle enzymes have been identified as thioredoxin targets in vitro, the existence of any thioredoxin-dependent regulation as known for the Calvin cycle, yet remains to be demonstrated. Here we have investigated the redox regulation of the Arabidopsis citrate synthase enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis of its six cysteine residues. Our results indicate that oxidation inhibits the enzyme activity by the formation of mixed disulfides, as the partially oxidized citrate synthase enzyme forms large redox-dependent aggregates. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that thioredoxin can cleave diverse intraas well as intermolecular disulfide bridges, which strongly enhances the activity of the enzyme. Activity measurements with the cysteine variants of the enzyme revealed important cysteine residues affecting total enzyme activity as well as the redox sensitivity of the enzyme.     

Cell Wall,Cytoskeleton, and Cell Expansion in Higher Plants

To accommodate two seemingly contradictory biological roles in plant physiology, providing both the rigid structural support of plant cells and the adjustable elasticity needed for cell expansion, the composition of the plant cell wall has evolved to become an intricate network of cellulosic, hemicellulosic, and pectic polysaccharides and protein. Due to its complexity, many aspects of the cell wall influence plant cell expansion, and many new and insightful observations and technologies are forthcoming. The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers and the roles of the variety of proteins involved in polysaccharide synthesis continue to be characterized. The interactions within the cell wall polymer network and the modification of these interactions provide insight into how the plant cell wall provides its dual function. The complex cell wall architecture is controlled and organized in part by the dynamic intracellular cytoskeleton and by diverse trafficking pathways of the cell wall polymers and cell wall-related machinery. Meanwhile, the cell wall is continually influenced by hormonal and integrity sensing stimuli that are perceived by the cell. These many processes cooperate to construct, maintain, and manipulate the intricate plant cell wall--an essential structure for the sustaining of the plant stature, growth, and life.     

Organelle pH in the Arabidopsis Endomembrane System

The pH of intracellular compartments is essential for the viability of cells. Despite its relevance, little is known about the pH of these compartments. To measure pH in vivo, we have first generated two pH sensors by combining the improved-solubility feature of solubility-modified green fluorescent protein （GFP） （smGFP） with the pH-sensing capabil- ity of the pHluorins and codon optimized for expression in Arabidopsis. PEpHluorin （plant-solubility-modified ecliptic pHluorin） gradually loses fluorescence as pH is lowered with fluorescence vanishing at pH 6.2 and PRpHluorin （plant- solubility-modified ratiomatric pHluorin）, a dual-excitation sensor, allowing for precise measurements. Compartment- specific sensors were generated by further fusing specific sorting signals to PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin. Our results show that the pH of cytosol and nucleus is similar （pH 7.3 and 7.2）, while peroxisomes, mitochondrial matrix, and plastidial stroma have alkaline pH. Compartments of the secretory pathway reveal a gradual acidification, spanning from pH 7.1 in the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） to pH 5.2 in the vacuole. Surprisingly, pH in the trans-Golgi network （TGN） and mul- tivesicular body （MVB） is, with pH 6.3 and 6.2, quite similar. The inhibition of vacuolar-type H＋-ATPase （V-ATPase） with concanamycin A （ConcA） caused drastic increase in pH in TGN and vacuole. Overall, the PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin are excellent pH sensors for visualization and quantification of pH in vivo, respectively.     

How does the host-specialized aphid deal with food deficiency？

Aphis gossypii Glover shows obvious host specialization, with cucurbit- and cotton-specialized biotypes or host races in many regions. Because its annual natal hostcrops senesce earlier the cucurbit-specialized biotype may suffer food deficiency. The method this biotype uses to overcome this challenge is still poorly understood. In orderto understand the potential of the cucurbit-specialized biotype aphids in host shift and usage, the performance of this biotype on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, a common butpoor quality host plant, was explored in this study. The cucurbit-specialized aphids could establish populations on cotton only when these plants had at least nine leaves, and subsequent populations developed rather slowly. The presence of whitefly populations on cotton improved the success rate of cucurbit-specialized aphids. The cucurbit-specialized aphidswere mainly distributed on the older leaves of cotton, with only a few settling on the upper leaves. The cucurbit-specialized aphids reared on cotton for 40, 54 and 61 days stillmaintained strong preference for their natal host plant, cucumber （Cucumis sativus）, rather than cotton, and their net reproductive rates and intrinsic rates of natural increase weredramatically lower when they were transferred onto new six-leaf cotton plants or detached leaves. Therefore, we concluded that the cucurbit-specialized aphids have the potentialto utilize mature or whitefly-stressed cotton plants, but that this feeding experience on cotton did not alter their specialization for cucurbits. Some cotton plants could act as atemporary host for the cucurbit-specialized aphids to overcome food deficiency arising from senescing cucurbits.     

Plastid Signals and the Bundle Sheath： Mesophyll Development in Reticulate Mutants

The development of a plant leaf is a meticulously orchestrated sequence of events producing a complex organ comprising diverse cell types. The reticulate class of leaf variegation mutants displays contrasting pigmentation between veins and interveinal regions due to specific aberrations in the development of mesophyll cells. Thus, the reticulate mutants offer a potent tool to investigate cell-type-specific developmental processes. The discovery that most mutants are affected in plastid-localized, metabolic pathways that are strongly expressed in vasculature-associated tis- sues implicates a crucial role for the bundle sheath and their chloroplasts in proper development of the mesophyll cells. Here, we review the reticulate mutants and their phenotypic characteristics, with a focus on those in Arabidopsis thali- ana. Two alternative models have been put forward to explain the relationship between plastid metabolism and meso- phyll cell development, which we call here the supply and the signaling hypotheses. We critically assess these proposed models and discuss their implications for leaf development and bundle sheath function in C3 species. The characteriza- tion of the reticulate mutants supports the significance of plastid retrograde signaling in cell development and highlights the significance of the bundle sheath in C3 photosynthesis.     

Aphis （Hemiptera： Aphididae） species groups found in the Midwestern United States and their contribution to the phylogenetic knowledge of the genus

A phylogeny of the genus Aphis Linnaeus, 1 758 was built primarily from specimens collected in the Midwest of the United States. A data matrix was constructedwith 68 species and 41 morphological characters with respective character states of alate and apterous viviparous females. Dendrogram topologies of analyses performed usingUPGMA （Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean）, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analysis of Cytochrome Oxidase I, Elongation Factor 1-α and primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola 16S sequences were not congruent. Bayesian analysis strongly supported most terminal nodes of the phylogenetic trees. The phylogeny wasstrongly supported by EFI-α, and analysis of COl and EFI-α molecular data combined with morphological characters. It was not supported by single analysis of COI or Buch-hera aphidicola 16S. Results from the Bayesian phylogeny show 4 main species groups： asclepiadis,fabae, gossypii, and middletonii. Results place Aphis and species of the generaProtaphis Bōrner, 1952, Toxoptera Koch, 1856 and Xerobion Nevsky, 1928 in a monophyletic clade. Morphological characters support this monophyly as well. The phylogenyshows that the monophyletic clade of the North American middletonii species group belong to the genus Protaphis： P. debilicornis （Gillette ＆ Palmer, 1929）, comb. nov., P. echinaceae（Lagos and Voegtlin, 2009）, comb. nov., and P. middletonii （Thomas, 1879）. The genus Toxoptera should be considered a subgenus of Aphis （stat. nov.）. The analysis also indicatesthat the current genus Iowana Frison, 1954 should be considered a subgenus of Aphis （stat. nov.）.     

Heteromeric and Homomeric Geranyl Diphosphate Synthases from Catharanthus roseus and Their Role in Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Catharanthus roseus is the sole source of two most important monoterpene indole alkaloid （MIA） anti- cancer agents： vinblastine and vincristine. MIAs possess a terpene and an indole moiety derived from terpenoid and shikimate pathways, respectively. Geranyl diphosphate （GPP）, the entry point to the formation of terpene moiety, is a product of the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate （IPP） and dimethylallyl diphosphate （DMAPP） by GPP synthase （GPPS）. Here, we report three genes encoding proteins with sequence similarity to large subunit （CrGPPS.LSU） and small subunit （CrGPPS.SSU） of heteromeric GPPSs, and a homomeric GPPSs. CrGPPS.LSU is a bifunctional enzyme producing both GPP and geranyl geranyl diphosphate （GGPP）, CrGPPS.SSU is inactive, whereas CrGPPS is a homomeric enzyme forming GPP. Co-expression of both subunits in Escherichia coil resulted in heteromeric enzyme with enhanced activity producing only GPR While CrGPPS.LSU and CrGPPS showed higher expression in older and younger leaves, respectively, CrGPPS.SSU showed an increasing trend and decreased gradually. Methyl jasmonate （MelA） treatment of leaves sig- nificantly induced the expression of only CrGPPS.SSU. GFP localization indicated that CrGPPS.SSU is plastidial whereas CrGPPS is mitochondrial. Transient overexpression of AmGPPS.SSU in C. roseus leaves resulted in increased vindoline, immediate monomeric precursor of vinblastine and vincristine. Although C. roseus has both heteromeric and homomeric GPPS enzymes, our results implicate the involvement of only heteromeric GPPS with CrGPPS.SSU regulating the GPP flux for MIA biosynthesis.     

A New Set of Reversibly Photoswitchable Fluorescent Proteins for Use in Transgenic Plants

Fluorescent reporter proteins that allow repeated switching between a fluorescent and a non-fluorescent state in response to specific wavelengths of light are novel tools for monitoring of protein trafficking and super-resolu- tion fluorescence microscopy in living organisms. Here, we describe variants of the reversibly photoswitchable fluores- cent proteins rsFastLime, bsDronpa, and Padron that have been codon-optimized for the use in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The synthetic proteins, designated rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s, showed photophysical properties and switching behavior comparable to those reported for the original proteins. By combining the ＇positively switchable＇ PADRON C-s with the ＇negatively switchable＇ rsFastLIME-s or bsDRONPA-s, two different fluorescent reporter proteins could be imaged at the same wavelength upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. Thus, co-localiza- tion analysis can be performed using only a single detection channel. Furthermore, the proteins were used to tag the RNA-binding protein AtGRP7 （Arabidopsis thaliana glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 7） in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Because the new reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins show an increase in signal strength during each pho- toactivation cycle, we were able to generate a large number of scans of the same region and reconstruct 3-D images of AtGRP7 expression in the root tip. Upon photoactivation of the AtGRP7：rsFastLIME-s fusion protein in a defined region of a transgenic Arabidopsis root, spreading of the fluorescence signal into adjacent regions was observed, indicating that movement from cell to cell can be monitored. Our results demonstrate that rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s are versatile fluorescent markers in plants, Furthermore, the proteins also show strong fluorescence in mammalian cells including COS-7 and HeLa cells.     

Regulation of Cytokinesis by Exocyst Subunit SEC6 and KEULE in Arabidopsis thaliana

Proper vesicle tethering and membrane fusion at the cell plate are essential for cytokinesis. Both the vesicle tethering complex exocyst and membrane fusion regulator KEULE were shown to function in cell plate formation, but the exact mechanisms still remain to be explored. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid （Y-2-H） assay, we found that SEC6 interacted with KEULE, and that a small portion of C-terminal region of KEULE was required for the interaction. The direct SEC6-KEULE interaction was supported by further studies using in vitro pull-down assay, immunoprecipitation, and in vivo bimolecular florescence complementation （BIFC） microscopy, sec6 mutants were male gametophytic lethal as reported; however, pollen-rescued sec6 mutants （PRsec6） displayed cytokinesis defects in the embryonic cells and later in the leaf pavement cells and the guard cells. SEC6 and KEULE proteins were co-localized to the cell plate during cytokine- sis in transgenic Arabidopsis. Furthermore, only SEC6 but not other exocyst subunits located in the cell plate interacted with KEULE in vitro. These results demonstrated that, like KEULE, SEC6 plays a physiological role in cytokinesis, and the SEC6-KEULE interaction may serve as a novel molecular linkage between arriving vesicles and membrane fusion machin- ery or directly regulate membrane fusion during cell plate formation in plants.