Plant synapses: actin-based domains for cell-to-cell communication.

For many years it has been known that plants perform rapid long-distance signalling using classical action potentials that have impacts on diverse processes in plants. Plants also synthesize numerous neuronal molecules and fulfill some criteria for intelligent behaviour. Analysis of recent breakthrough data from ecophysiology studies has revealed that plant roots can discriminate between 'self' and 'non-self'; in animals, this ability to discriminate is dependent on the activities of neuronal synapses. Here, we propose that plant cells establish modes of information exchange between each other that have properties in common with neuronal synapses. Moreover, plants also assemble adhesive contacts that orchestrate cell-to-cell communication between the host cells when challenged with pathogens, parasites and potential symbionts. We propose that these adhesive contacts resemble the immunological synapses found in animals.