The actin Cytoskeleton in Root Hairs: a cell elongation device

The actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in root hair development. It is involved in both the delivery of growth materials to the expanding tip of root hairs and the regulation of the area of tip growth. This review starts with a discussion of the techniques that are available to visualize the actin cytoskeleton in fixed and in live root hair cells, including their advantages and drawbacks. We discuss the function that the actin cytoskeleton performs during tip growth of root hairs, focusing first on filamentous actin organization during root hair development and the response of root hairs to the rhizobial signal molecule Nod factor, which reveals the function of actin in root hair elongation. In addition, we discuss the role of actin binding proteins in organizing the actin cytoskeleton. Image