An Arabidopsis single-nucleus atlas decodes leaf senescence and nutrient allocation

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables deep exploration of physiological processes.
• Understanding cell-type specificity and coordination is crucial for plant development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a comprehensive single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of Arabidopsis.
• To characterize cell types, developmental trajectories, and senescence processes.
• To identify genes regulating leaf senescence and nutrient allocation.

Main Methods:

• Generated a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas from over 1 million nuclei across 20 Arabidopsis tissues.
• Performed cell-type identification, comparative analysis, and time-resolved sampling.
• Utilized weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify hub genes.

Main Results:

• Identified novel cell types and revealed cell-type conservation and specificity across organs.
• Characterized the coordinated onset and progression of leaf senescence.
• Developed molecular indexes for quantifying leaf cell aging.
• Discovered hundreds of hub genes potentially regulating leaf senescence.
• Modeled systemic carbon and nitrogen allocation from source to sink organs.

Conclusions:

• The Arabidopsis single-nucleus atlas provides unprecedented resolution for studying plant biology.
• Coordinated senescence and nutrient allocation are critical physiological processes regulated by specific gene networks.
• This work offers a foundation for future research into plant development and resource management.