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Phosphate Starvation-Dependent Iron Mobilization Induces CLE14 Expression to Trigger Root Meristem Differentiation
Dolores Gutiérrez-Alanís1, Lenin Yong-Villalobos2, Pedro Jiménez-Sandoval3
1Metabolic Engineering Group, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (LANGEBIO) del Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico; Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico.
Abstract:
Low inorganic phosphate (Pi) availability causes terminal differentiation of the root apical meristem (RAM), a phenomenon known as root meristem exhaustion or determined growth. Here, we report that the CLE14 peptide acts as a key player in this process. Low Pi stress induces iron mobilization in the RAM through the action of LPR1/LPR2, causing expression of CLE14 in the proximal meristem region. CLV2 and PEPR2 receptors perceive CLE14 and trigger RAM differentiation, with concomitant downregulation of SHR/SCR and PIN/AUXIN pathway. Our results reveal multiple steps of the molecular mechanism of one of the most physiologically important root nutrient responses.
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