Search

Summary: The apical-basal axis of the early plant embryo determines the body plan of the adult organism. To establish a polarized embryonic axis, plants evolved a unique mechanism that involves directional, cell-to-cell transport of the growth regulator auxin. Auxin transport relies on PIN auxin transporters [1], whose polar subcellular localization determines the flow directionality. PIN-mediated auxin transport mediates the spatial and temporal activity of the auxin response machinery [2–7] that contributes to embryo patterning processes, including establishment of the apical (shoot) and basal (root) embryo poles [8]. However, little is known of upstream mechanisms guiding the (re)polarization of auxin fluxes during embryogenesis [9]. Here, we developed a model of plant embryogenesis that correctly generates emergent cell polarities and auxin-mediated sequential initiation of apical-basal axis of plant embryo. The model relies on two precisely localized auxin sources and a feedback between auxin and the polar, subcellular PIN transporter localization. Simulations reproduced PIN polarity and auxin distribution, as well as previously unknown polarization events during early embryogenesis. The spectrum of validated model predictions suggests that our model corresponds to a minimal mechanistic framework for initiation and orientation of the apical-basal axis to guide both embryonic and postembryonic plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How gene activities and biomechanics together direct organ shapes is poorly understood. Plant leaf and floral organs develop from highly similar initial structures and share similar gene expression patterns, yet they gain drastically different shapes later—flat and bilateral leaf primordia and radially symmetric floral primordia, respectively. We analyzed cellular growth patterns and gene expression in young leaves and flowers of Arabidopsis thaliana and found significant differences in cell growth rates, which correlate with convergence sites of phytohormone auxin that require polar auxin transport. In leaf primordia, the PRESSED - FLOWER -expressing middle domain grows faster than adjacent adaxial domain and coincides with auxin convergence. In contrast, in floral primordia, the LEAFY -expressing domain shows accelerated growth rates and pronounced auxin convergence. This distinct cell growth dynamics between leaf and flower requires changes in levels of cell-wall pectin de-methyl-esterification and mechanical properties of the cell wall. Data-driven computer model simulations at organ and cellular levels demonstrate that growth differences are central to obtaining distinct organ shape, corroborating in planta observations. Together, our study provides a mechanistic basis for the establishment of early aerial organ symmetries through local modulation of differential growth patterns with auxin and biomechanics. [Display omitted] • Leaf and floral primordia share similar gene expression and initial domain partition • Local growth-rate differences across domains explain primordia shape differences • Two primordia have different patterns of cell-wall rigidity and auxin convergence • When incorporating growth dynamics, models explain different organ shapes Peng et al. show that different growth dynamics determine the shape of plant aerial organs, leaf and floral primordia, which share similar initial geometry. Experiments and simulations are combined to link growth dynamics with biomechanics and polar auxin transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxin and brassinosteroids (BR) are crucial growth regulators and display overlapping functions during plant development. Here, we reveal an alternative phytohormone crosstalk mechanism, revealing that BR signaling controls PIN-LIKES (PILS)-dependent nuclear abundance of auxin. We performed a forward genetic screen for imperial pils (imp) mutants that enhance the overexpression phenotypes of PILS5 putative intracellular auxin transport facilitator. Here, we report that the imp1 mutant is defective in the BR-receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1). Our set of data reveals that BR signaling transcriptionally and post-translationally represses the accumulation of PILS proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby increasing nuclear abundance and signaling of auxin. We demonstrate that this alternative phytohormonal crosstalk mechanism integrates BR signaling into auxin-dependent organ growth rates and likely has widespread importance for plant development. • Impaired BR perception enhances PILS5 overexpression phenotypes • BR signaling increases PILS protein turnover • BR signaling defines PILS-dependent nuclear abundance and signaling of auxin • PILS-dependent BR-auxin crosstalk affects organ growth Sun et al. reveal that BR signaling limits the accumulation of PILS proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby increasing nuclear abundance and signaling of auxin. This alternative phytohormonal crosstalk mechanism integrates BR signaling into auxin-dependent organ growth rates and likely has widespread importance for plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plants, the patterning of stem cell-enriched meristems requires a graded auxin response maximum that emerges from the concerted action of polar auxin transport, auxin biosynthesis, auxin metabolism, and cellular auxin response machinery. However, mechanisms underlying this auxin response maximum-mediated root stem cell maintenance are not fully understood. Here, we present unexpected evidence that WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX 5 (WOX5) transcription factor modulates expression of auxin biosynthetic genes in the quiescent center (QC) of the root and thus provides a robust mechanism for the maintenance of auxin response maximum in the root tip. This WOX5 action is balanced through the activity of indole-3-acetic acid 17 (IAA17) auxin response repressor. Our combined genetic, cell biology, and computational modeling studies revealed a previously uncharacterized feedback loop linking WOX5-mediated auxin production to IAA17-dependent repression of auxin responses. This WOX5-IAA17 feedback circuit further assures the maintenance of auxin response maximum in the root tip and thereby contributes to the maintenance of distal stem cell (DSC) populations. Our experimental studies and in silico computer simulations both demonstrate that the WOX5-IAA17 feedback circuit is essential for the maintenance of auxin gradient in the root tip and the auxin-mediated root DSC differentiation.