Plant synapses: more than a metaphor?

Synapses are generally defined as places where cell-to-cell signal transmission especially between neurons can occur, involving transmission of signal by local recycling of exo- and endocytosis vesicles. Possible existence of synaptic signal transduction in plants is still subject of discussion. However, existence of plants homologues of proteins related to those found in synapse support this theory. Cell-to-cell contacts similar to electric, immunological and chemical synapses were described in plants. Here I describe some proteins involved in function or synapse development whose plant homologs are known, or were discovered by myself. Protein RHD3 was described as ortholog of mammalian atlastin. Mutation in atlastin cause hereditary spastic paraplegia where morphology of long axons is changed. Similar change of cell morphology is found also in rhd3 mutans, whose root-hairs have altered phenotype. These root-hairs are shorter and posses wavy appearance. Further I succeeded in identification of possible homolog of two other proteins. It is homolog of Dlg-MAGUK, which is involved in proper function and synapse development. Second whose possible homolog I found is RIMs- BP 2. RIMs-BP 2 forms bifunctional connections between fusion apparatus of synaptic vesicle and Ca2+ channels. Last protein was..