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Eskov AK, Viktorova VA, Abakumov E, Zotz G. Cellular Growth in Aerial Roots Differs From That in Typical Substrate Roots. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:894647. [PMID: 35720525 PMCID: PMC9199517 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.894647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In the roots of most vascular plants, the growth zone is small, the meristem and the elongation zone are sharply separated, and only meristematic cells divide. This statement is based almost entirely on studies with soil-rooted plants. Whether aerial roots of structurally dependent (=epiphytic/hemiepiphytic) species differ is virtually unexplored. METHODS Growth of aerial roots in 20 structurally dependent plant species from eight families was studied ex situ. In 12 species, we studied the anatomical structure and distribution of cortex cell lengths and rhizoderm in the growth zone. KEY RESULTS All the studied aerial roots had an open apical meristem, and mitoses were not restricted to the meristem. In contrast to belowground roots, relative growth rate did not strongly increase upon transition to the elongation zone, while elongating growth was often prolonged. Still, the relative growth rate was lower than in belowground roots in soil, and in different species, it did not change considerably compared to each other. CONCLUSIONS A distinct elongation zone with rapid cell growth was missing in the studied aerial roots. Rather, there was a growth zone in which division, growth, and differentiation co-occurred. We observed a generally low relative growth rate in aerial roots and a surprisingly similar initial growth pattern in spite of the diversity in taxonomy and ecology, which resembled initial cellular growth in leaves, stems, and fleshy dicotyledonous fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alen K. Eskov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Tzitzin Main Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Evgeny Abakumov
- Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gerhard Zotz
- Functional Ecology Group, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Sahoo DP, Van Winkle LJ, Díaz de la Garza RI, Dubrovsky JG. Interkingdom Comparison of Threonine Metabolism for Stem Cell Maintenance in Plants and Animals. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:672545. [PMID: 34557481 PMCID: PMC8454773 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.672545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, tissue generation, maintenance, and homeostasis depend on stem cells. Cellular metabolic status is an essential component of different differentiated states, from stem to fully differentiated cells. Threonine (Thr) metabolism has emerged as a critical factor required to maintain pluripotent/multipotent stem cells in both plants and animals. Thus, both kingdoms conserved or converged upon this fundamental feature of stem cell function. Here, we examine similarities and differences in Thr metabolism-dependent mechanisms supporting stem cell maintenance in these two kingdoms. We then consider common features of Thr metabolism in stem cell maintenance and predict and speculate that some knowledge about Thr metabolism and its role in stem cell function in one kingdom may apply to the other. Finally, we outline future research directions to explore these hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debee Prasad Sahoo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Lon J. Van Winkle
- Department of Biochemistry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Humanities, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, United States
| | | | - Joseph G. Dubrovsky
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Moles AT, Jagdish A, Wu Y, Gooley S, Dalrymple RL, Feng P, Auld J, Badgery G, Balding M, Bell A, Campbell N, Clark M, Clark M, Crawford KM, de Lorenzo O, Fletcher A, Ford Z, Fort H, Gorta SBZ, Hagan A, Hemmings FA, Hoban GS, Hulme T, King K, Kumar A, Kyriazis A, Laitly BA, Markovski J, Martin L, McDonnell G, Pan C, Paroissien R, Reeves-Perrin P, Sano M, Schwarz SM, Sipka A, Sullings M, Yeong JW, Cornwell WK. From dangerous branches to urban banyan: Facilitating aerial root growth of Ficus rubiginosa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226845. [PMID: 31887183 PMCID: PMC6936823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large urban trees have many benefits. However, falling branches pose a serious hazard to both people and infrastructure. In several tree species, aerial roots grow down from branches to the ground. These roots are capable of thickening to support the branches, lessening the risk of tree failure. Unfortunately, in urban environments most aerial roots die before reaching the ground. Here, we report a new method for encouraging aerial roots to reach the ground, developed by the second-year botany class at UNSW Sydney. Our class tested three experimental treatments on aerial roots of Ficus rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent. (Port Jackson Fig)-PVC pipes filled with sphagnum moss, PVC pipes filled with potting mix, and PVC pipes filled with sphagnum moss and topped with funnels to catch extra rainwater. All three treatments significantly improved aerial root growth, with 26 of the 30 (87%) treatment roots reaching the ground after one year compared to 0 of the 10 control roots. Our method was successful for roots up to 3 m above the ground, suggesting the potential growth rate of aerial roots is substantial when conditions are favourable. Our novel approach is an attractive and cost-effective alternative to slings and other artificial supports. This project is an example of using undergraduate practical classes to teach science while simultaneously addressing important real-world problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela T. Moles
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Ashika Jagdish
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yameng Wu
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanna Gooley
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rhiannon L. Dalrymple
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phoebe Feng
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Auld
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgia Badgery
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matilda Balding
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Bell
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nora Campbell
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Clark
- Estate Management, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Clark
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kyle M. Crawford
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Oliver de Lorenzo
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amelia Fletcher
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Zoe Ford
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Haley Fort
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon B. Z. Gorta
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Hagan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Frank A. Hemmings
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gabriella S. Hoban
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomasine Hulme
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kit King
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anish Kumar
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelique Kyriazis
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Joshua Markovski
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Len Martin
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffrey McDonnell
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cindy Pan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruby Paroissien
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Polly Reeves-Perrin
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michi Sano
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sebastian M. Schwarz
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alena Sipka
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jing Wei Yeong
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William K. Cornwell
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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