In plant cells, the plasma membrane is a highly elaborated structure that functions as the point of exchange with adjoining cells, cell walls and the external environment. Transactions at the plasma membrane include uptake of water and essential mineral nutrients, gas exchange, movement of metabolites, transport and perception of signaling molecules, and initial responses to external biota. Selective transporters control the rates and direction of small molecule movement across the membrane barrier and manipulate the turgor that maintains plant form and drives plant cell expansion. The plasma membrane provides an environment in which molecular and macromolecular interactions are enhanced by the clustering of proteins in oligimeric complexes for more efficient retention of biosynthetic intermediates, and by the anchoring of protein complexes to promote regulatory interactions. The coupling of signal perception at the membrane surface with intracellular second messengers also involves transduction across the plasma membrane. Finally, the generation and ordering of the external cell walls involves processes mediated at the plant cell surface by the plasma membrane. This volume is divided into three sections. The first section describes the basic mechanisms that regulate all plasma membrane functions. The second describes plasma membrane transport activity. The final section of the book describes signaling interactions at the plasma membrane. These topics are given a unique treatment in this volume, as the discussions are restricted to the plasma membrane itself as much as possible. A more complete knowledge of the plasma membrane's structure and function is essential to current efforts to increase the sustainability of agricultural production of food, fiber, and fuel crops.

Introduction

Lipids of the Plant Plasma Membrane
Plasma Membrane Protein Trafficking
The Plasma Membrane and the Cell Wall
Plasmodesmata and Non-Cell Autonomous Signaling in Plants
Post-Translational Modifications of Plasma Membrane Proteins and Their Implications for Plant Growth and Development
Functional Classification of Plasma Membrane Transporters
Plasma Membrane ATPases
The Role of Plasma Membrane Nitrogen Transporters in Nitrogen Acquisition and Utilization
Biology of Plant Potassium Channels
Mechanism and Evolution of Calcium Transport across the Plant Plasma Membrane
Sulfate Transport
Metal Transport
Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Transporters
ABC Transporters and Their Function at the Plasma Membrane
Hormone Transport
Plant Hormone Perception at the Plasma Membrane
Light Sensing at the Plasma Membrane