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A Dof-CLE circuit controls phloem organization
Pingping Qian1, Wen Song2,3,4,5, Miki Zaizen-Iida6,7
1Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan. qianpp2013@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp.
Nature Plants
|July 11, 2022
Summary
Dof transcription factors drive phloem cell differentiation but also induce CLE peptides to limit overgrowth. This feedback loop ensures proper phloem development by balancing cell formation and regulation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- The phloem, crucial for nutrient transport, comprises sieve elements (SEs) and companion cells (CCs).
- Understanding the genetic regulation of phloem development is key to plant physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of Dof-class transcription factors in phloem development.
- To investigate the regulatory mechanisms controlling SE and CC differentiation and their potential feedback loops.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Dof transcription factor expression and function in phloem.
- Investigating the interaction between Dof factors, CLE peptides, BAM receptors, and CIK co-receptors.
- Mutational analysis of CLE, BAM, and CIK genes to observe effects on SE/CC formation.
Main Results:
- Dof transcription factors are essential and sufficient for SE and CC differentiation.
- Dof factors induce CLE peptides (CLE25, CLE26, CLE45), which are perceived by BAM/CIK receptors.
- CLE peptides negatively regulate phloem development by reducing Dof protein levels and repressing SE/CC formation.
- Mutations in CLE, BAM, or CIK genes lead to ectopic SE/CC formation, forming clusters.
- Phloem precursor cells overcome CLE-mediated inhibition by upregulating Dof production via positive feedback.
Conclusions:
- Phloem Dof transcription factors initiate phloem cell formation while simultaneously inducing CLE peptides to prevent excessive development.
- A negative feedback loop involving Dof factors and CLE peptides, mediated by BAM/CIK receptors, precisely controls phloem cell production.
- This regulatory mechanism ensures normal phloem patterning and prevents the formation of supernumerary sieve elements and companion cells.
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