The molecular control of tendril development in angiosperms

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Plant development
• Molecular genetics

Background:

• The climbing habit has evolved independently multiple times in angiosperms.
• Plants utilize various climbing strategies, including tendrils, which are specialized organs for twining.
• The molecular basis of tendril development is poorly understood in most plant species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current knowledge on the molecular basis of tendril development.
• To investigate diversity in tendril formation and ontogenesis across different plant families.
• To explore the genetic underpinnings of helical growth in tendrils.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on tendril development.
• Comparative analysis of molecular genetics and developmental pathways.
• Focus on model and candidate model species from key tendrilled families (Fabaceae, Vitaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Passifloraceae, Bignoniaceae).

Main Results:

• The molecular basis of tendril formation is diverse, even among tendrils with the same ontogenetic origin (e.g., leaflet-derived tendrils).
• All studied tendrils exhibit helical growth during contact-induced coiling.
• Helical growth ability is not correlated with tendril ontogenetic origin or phylogenetic history.

Conclusions:

• Tendril development involves diverse molecular mechanisms across different plant lineages.
• Helical growth is a conserved feature of tendrils, irrespective of their origin or evolutionary history.
• Further research is needed to identify conserved genetic networks involved in helical growth across diverse tendrils.