The PLETHORA genes mediate patterning of the Arabidopsis root stem cell niche

Cell. 2004 Oct 1;119(1):109-20. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.09.018.

Abstract

A small organizing center, the quiescent center (QC), maintains stem cells in the Arabidopsis root and defines the stem cell niche. The phytohormone auxin influences the position of this niche by an unknown mechanism. Here, we identify the PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2 genes encoding AP2 class putative transcription factors, which are essential for QC specification and stem cell activity. The PLT genes are transcribed in response to auxin accumulation and are dependent on auxin response transcription factors. Distal PLT transcript accumulation creates an overlap with the radial expression domains of SHORT-ROOT and SCARECROW, providing positional information for the stem cell niche. Furthermore, the PLT genes are activated in the basal embryo region that gives rise to hypocotyl, root, and root stem cells and, when ectopically expressed, transform apical regions to these identities. Thus, the PLT genes are key effectors for establishment of the stem cell niche during embryonic pattern formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / embryology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence / genetics
  • Body Patterning
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Hypocotyl / embryology
  • Hypocotyl / genetics
  • Hypocotyl / metabolism
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism
  • Indoleacetic Acids / pharmacology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / embryology
  • Plant Roots / genetics*
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Seeds / embryology
  • Seeds / genetics*
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / isolation & purification
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • APETALA2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PLT1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • PLT2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Plant Proteins
  • SCR protein, Arabidopsis
  • SHORT ROOT protein, Arabidopsis
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY506549
  • GENBANK/AY506550