Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species
Published on: March 29, 2019
Hormonal control of the shoot stem-cell niche
Zhong Zhao1, Stig U Andersen, Karin Ljung
1Department of Stem Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
The classic phytohormones cytokinin and auxin play essential roles in the maintenance of stem-cell systems embedded in shoot and root meristems, and exhibit complex functional interactions. Here we show that the activity of both hormones directly converges on the promoters of two A-type ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR (ARR) genes, ARR7 and ARR15, which are negative regulators of cytokinin signalling and have important meristematic functions. Whereas ARR7 and ARR15 expression in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is induced by cytokinin, auxin has a negative effect, which is, at least in part, mediated by the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR5/MONOPTEROS (MP) transcription factor. Our results provide a mechanistic framework for hormonal control of the apical stem-cell niche and demonstrate how root and shoot stem-cell systems differ in their response to phytohormones.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Stem Cell Niche
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Maintenance of the ES Cell State

