Progress in the Functional Studies of Plant MAP65 Proteins: Multidimensional Regulation from Cell Division to Morphogenesis.

The microtubule-associated protein 65 (MAP65) family comprises key plant cytoskeletal regulators essential for microtubule array organization, cell division, cell elongation, and organ morphogenesis. Recent advances in molecular and cellular biology have facilitated functional characterization of these proteins. This review systematically summarizes the structural features, subcellular localization, action mechanisms, regulatory networks and functional divergence across species. Emerging evidence indicates that MAP65s not only participate in conventional microtubule functions, but also precisely regulate cell division orientation and fruit morphogenesis through coordinated interactions with other protein families. Moreover, MAP65 proteins serve as important targets of pathogen effectors. This review further discusses the frontier areas in MAP65 research, including structural biology, dynamic regulatory mechanisms, and potential applications in crop improvement.