Abstract
Cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs) play a central role in plant cell wall formation. Their dynamic behavior at the plasma membrane leads to the deposition of cellulose microfibrils into the apoplastic space, thereby shaping the architecture and mechanical properties of the cell wall. Although previous imaging studies have provided important insights into CSC dynamics and localization, standardized and reproducible workflows for quantitative measurements of CSC speed and density remain limited. Here, we present a reproducible live-cell imaging and analysis workflow for quantifying the speed and density of fluorescently labeled CSCs at the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis thaliana. The protocol integrates optimized spinning-disk confocal imaging, surface-based projection of z-stack recordings, automated detection of diffraction-limited CSCs foci, and kymograph-based speed measurements using freely available tools in Fiji. While selected steps, such as region of interest definition and parameter selection for spot detection or trajectory analysis, remain user-guided, these decisions are constrained to well-defined stages within an otherwise standardized pipeline, thereby reducing variability and improving reproducibility across experiments. The workflow has been validated across multiple tissues, reporter lines, genetic backgrounds, and perturbation conditions in Arabidopsis and enables robust comparative analysis of CSC dynamics. Beyond CSCs, this workflow is expected to be adaptable to other fluorescently labeled proteins that appear as diffraction-limited foci at or near the plasma membrane. Key features • Enables accurate CSC speed and density measurements during both primary and secondary cell wall formation using spinning-disk confocal time-lapse imaging. • Combines surface-projection, kymograph analysis, and high-throughput particle detection to quantify CSC dynamics even in crowded or low-signal plasma membrane regions. • Provides a standardized analysis workflow validated across multiple Arabidopsis genotypes, including inducible systems and mutant backgrounds that possess altered cell wall biosynthesis. • Applicable to any fluorescently labeled diffraction-limited foci at or near the plasma membrane, extending the workflow beyond CSCs.