Editorial overview: Growth and development
Section snippets
The control of cell division: the number, the timing and the orientation
Postembryonic growth and development require a controlled production of cells at the meristems. Core cell cycle components driving the proliferation process per se are established, but how they are regulated is a subject of current studies. Polyn et al. discuss advances related to three consecutive aspects of the cell cycle: entry, maintenance and exit (i.e., onset of differentiation). Current models of the RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED1 (RBR1)-E2F/DIMERIZATION PARTNER (DP) interplay and the effectors
Cell fate determination and function
A meristem can be roughly defined as a stem cell population, associated with its dividing stem cell daughters. Zooming into the shoot apical meristem (SAM) reveals a colorful, structured environment, where cells acquire fates multiple times according to their position, before they eventually differentiate. Gaillochet et al. discuss the spatial organization of the SAM and its importance in guiding these unique cellular activities. Mechanisms of intercellular communication between functional
Organ formation and differentiation
Leaf formation involves two key stages: morphogenesis and differentiation. The longer duration of the former allows a morphological change, from simple to compound leaves, providing sufficient time to form leaflets. Bar and Ori summarize current mechanisms underlying compound leaf development in four species. As such, this review provides a stimulating comparison of the interplay between transcription factors and hormone involved in each species. The authors exemplify how a similar mechanism is
Environmental signals and differential growth
In order to optimize their exposure to the environment, plant constantly adjust growth of their organs towards and away a specific environmental stimuli. In this issue, Friml and colleagues discuss our recent understanding of the intricate mechanisms that regulate the polar localization of auxin efflux carriers in response to two major stimuli, gravitropism and phototropism, thereby determining the differential accumulation of auxin within the growing organ, leading to differential, directional
Evolutionary adaptations shaping growth and development
Our fascination with the mechanisms driving growth and development does not only arise from the fact that it is ‘reproduced without appreciable change for generations, permanent within centuries’, as Schroedinger so pointedly noted — it also stems from the seemingly endless variation that arises from modification of core developmental modules and that faces us in the distinct appearance of the more than hundred thousand plant species on our earth. Busch and Ogura discuss how the stunning
Niko Geldner is interested in the differentiation and function of the root endodermis. His lab attempts to dissect the molecular mechanisms that lead to the precise subcellular deposition of the Casparian strips — lignin-like impregnations of the primary cell wall that surround endodermal cells like a belt. Using the endodermis as a model, they aim to obtain insights into the generation of stable membrane subdomains and localization of cell wall biosynthesis. The lab is also interested in using
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Niko Geldner is interested in the differentiation and function of the root endodermis. His lab attempts to dissect the molecular mechanisms that lead to the precise subcellular deposition of the Casparian strips — lignin-like impregnations of the primary cell wall that surround endodermal cells like a belt. Using the endodermis as a model, they aim to obtain insights into the generation of stable membrane subdomains and localization of cell wall biosynthesis. The lab is also interested in using precise genetic manipulations of endodermal differentiation in order to obtain insights into physiological role of the endodermis.
Sigal Savaldi-Goldstein Our lab aims to understand how coherent organ growth is achieved in plants. To this end, we focus on decoding the role of the brassinosteroid (BR) signaling pathway in the tissues and cell types composing the Arabidopsis root. We study the link between local effects of the hormone and whole organ growth. Our group also investigates how BR-mediated root growth is modulated by environmental signals. Special emphasis is placed on the interplay between BR and root response to low phosphate availability.