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The auxin-CsHAT14 signaling cascade coordinates somatic embryogenesis in citrus
Peng-Bo Wang1, Yao-Yuan Duan1, Yong-Yu Tang1
1National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
|January 13, 2026
Summary
Glycerol-induced somatic embryogenesis (SE) in citrus is regulated by a novel auxin signaling cascade. This pathway involves CsIAA4, CsARF5, and CsHAT14, improving regeneration efficiency for citrus biotechnology.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is crucial for plant regeneration but faces recalcitrance, particularly in woody plants like citrus.
- Glycerol is used to induce SE in citrus, with CsIAA4 previously identified as a key repressor of auxin signaling in this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the downstream signaling cascade of auxin signaling in glycerol-induced citrus SE.
- To identify key regulators involved in citrus SE and understand their roles in regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Identification of the HD-Zip transcription factor CsHAT14 as a downstream regulator.
- Investigating the interaction between CsIAA4 and CsARF5.
- Analyzing the regulatory roles of CsHAT14 on target genes like CsDOF3.4 and CsWOX13.
- Gene knockdown experiments to assess the function of CsDOF3.4.
Main Results:
- CsARF5 directly promotes CsHAT14 expression, which suppresses SE by inhibiting regeneration genes (CsDOF3.4, CsWOX13) and auxin efflux (CsPILS5).
- CsIAA4 interacts with CsARF5, attenuating CsHAT14 activation and de-repressing CsHAT14-suppressed genes, thereby promoting SE.
- Knockdown of CsDOF3.4 leads to reduced cell cycle gene expression and impaired SE.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes the CsIAA4-CsARF5 and CsHAT14-CsDOF3.4 modules as a critical auxin signaling cascade coordinating citrus SE.
- This finding advances the understanding of SE mechanisms and offers potential for improving regeneration efficiency in citrus biotechnology.
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