Myosin-driven transport network in plants

Significance A key feature of plant cells is rapid cytoplasmic streaming that is driven by myosin motors. However, specific mechanisms of myosin-dependent streaming are poorly understood. Here, we characterize a dense network of plant myosins and their receptors and adaptors that, jointly with myosins, appear to mediate cytoplasmic streaming through distinct endomembrane compartments. We additionally present data suggestive of a myosin-dependent nucleocytoplasmic trafficking pathway. The myosin network is an ancient functional module that was already present in the common ancestor of green algae and land plants but underwent a major expansion in the latter, probably contributing to land colonization by plants.