The plasma membrane – cell wall nexus in plant cells: focus on the Hechtian structure

Abstract

Across all kingdoms of life, cells secrete an extracellular polymer mesh that in turn feeds back onto them. This entails physical connections between the plasma membrane and the polymer mesh. In plant cells, one connection stands out: the Hechtian strand which, during plasmolysis, reflects the existence of a physical link between the plasma membrane of the retracting protoplast and the cell wall. The Hechtian strand is part of a larger structure, which we call the Hechtian structure, that comprises the Hechtian strand, the Hechtian reticulum and the Hechtian attachment sites. Although it has been observed for more than 100 years, its molecular composition and biological functions remain ill-described. A comprehensive characterization of the Hechtian structure is a critical step towards understanding this plasma membrane-cell wall connection and its relevance in cell signaling. This short review intends to highlight the main features of the Hechtian structure, in order to provide a clear framework for future research in this under-explored and promising field.