Our concept of the vacuolar compartment in plant cells has changed radically in recent years. We now know that the traditional view of a vacuole as one multifunctional organelle is incorrect, and that most plant cells contain basically two types of vacuoles - ltyic and protein storage vacuoles. These are served by separate vesicular pathways, which defines them as distinct organelles. Furthermore, it appears that the functions of each type can be modified such that several different vacuoles, each with a somewhat different function, can exist in one cell. This volume examines our current understanding of vacuolar compartments.

It is directed at academic and industrial researchers in plant cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and developmental biology.