The ontogeny of silica cells along a developing leaf (from left to right). (a) a young silica cell finished its growing. The cell contains cytoplasm (green), a nucleus (red), and large vacuoles (white). (b) A protein we named Siliplant1 is expressed by the cell (purple dots). (c) Siliplant1 is exported to the cell walls causing precipitation of biogenic silica over night (gray). The protoplast volume is shrinking as a result of the thickening silica wall. The nucleus is compressed during this process. (d) Finally the cell dies in a programmed manner leaving strands of plasma remains (black lines).
Kumar et al. Siliplant1 protein precipitates silica in sorghum silica cells. Journal of Experimental Botany 71.21 (2020): 6830-6843.