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Reprogramming of Stem Cell Activity to Convert Thorns into Branches.
Fei Zhang1, Pascale Rossignol2, Tengbo Huang1
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|June 20, 2020
Summary
Two Citrus genes, THORN IDENTITY1 (TI1) and THORN IDENTITY2 (TI2), control thorn development by halting stem cell growth. Disrupting these genes converts thorns into branches, offering insights into plant architecture and crop yield improvements.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Developmental genetics
- Evolutionary botany
Background:
- Thorns develop from axillary shoot apical meristems, which contain stem cells that cease proliferation.
- Understanding the genetic regulation of thorn development is crucial for manipulating plant architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the gene network regulating thorn development in Citrus.
- To identify key genes responsible for stem cell quiescence and thorn identity.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis in Citrus.
- Promoter binding assays to study gene regulation.
- Functional analysis of THORN IDENTITY genes.
Main Results:
- Identified THORN IDENTITY1 (TI1) and THORN IDENTITY2 (TI2) as essential for stem cell quiescence and thorn identity.
- Disruption of TI1 and TI2 leads to stem cell reactivation and conversion of thorns to branches.
- TI1 directly binds to the WUSCHEL (WUS) promoter, negatively regulating its expression to terminate stem cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- TI1 and TI2 are critical regulators of thorn development by controlling stem cell activity.
- The evolution of thorn identity may involve alterations in this gene network.
- Modulating this pathway holds potential for improving crop yields and plant architecture.
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