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Small RNAs as plant morphogens.

Simon Klesen1, Kristine Hill1, Marja C P Timmermans1

  • 1Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|March 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Plant development uses mobile small RNAs as instructive signals, similar to animal morphogens, to establish cell fate boundaries through gradient interpretation. This review explores how small RNA gradients form and function in plant pattern formation.

Keywords:
Cell–cell communicationGradientMorphogenPattern formationPlant developmentPlasmodesmataRobustnessSignalingSmall RNAStem cell nichemicroRNA

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Area of Science:

  • Plant developmental biology
  • Molecular signaling in multicellular organisms

Background:

  • Cell fate decisions in multicellular structures rely on intercellular communication and positional information.
  • Animals use mobile signaling molecules (morphogens) forming gradients to specify cell identities.
  • Plants, despite independent evolution, share developmental patterning principles with animals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of mobile small RNAs in plant pattern formation.
  • To explore how small RNA gradients mimic morphogen activity in plants.
  • To summarize current understanding of small RNA gradient formation, stability, and interpretation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on plant development and small RNA signaling.
  • Comparative analysis of signaling mechanisms in plant and animal development.
  • Synthesis of recent findings on small RNA gradient dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Small RNAs function as mobile instructive signals in plant development.
  • Plant small RNA gradients are interpreted via a threshold-based readout, akin to animal morphogens.
  • Mechanisms for the formation, stability, and interpretation of these gradients are crucial for pattern formation.

Conclusions:

  • Mobile small RNAs are key regulators of plant pattern formation, exhibiting morphogen-like properties.
  • Understanding small RNA gradient dynamics is essential for deciphering plant developmental processes.
  • This review highlights the distinct yet functionally analogous roles of small RNAs and peptide morphogens in development.