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Kean-Galeno T, Lopez-Arredondo D, Herrera-Estrella L. The Shoot Apical Meristem: An Evolutionary Molding of Higher Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1519. [PMID: 38338798 PMCID: PMC10855264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The shoot apical meristem (SAM) gives rise to the aerial structure of plants by producing lateral organs and other meristems. The SAM is responsible for plant developmental patterns, thus determining plant morphology and, consequently, many agronomic traits such as the number and size of fruits and flowers and kernel yield. Our current understanding of SAM morphology and regulation is based on studies conducted mainly on some angiosperms, including economically important crops such as maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), and the model species Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, studies in other plant species from the gymnosperms are scant, making difficult comparative analyses that help us understand SAM regulation in diverse plant species. This limitation prevents deciphering the mechanisms by which evolution gave rise to the multiple plant structures within the plant kingdom and determines the conserved mechanisms involved in SAM maintenance and operation. This review aims to integrate and analyze the current knowledge of SAM evolution by combining the morphological and molecular information recently reported from the plant kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Kean-Galeno
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Plant and Soil Science Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (T.K.-G.); (D.L.-A.)
| | - Damar Lopez-Arredondo
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Plant and Soil Science Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (T.K.-G.); (D.L.-A.)
| | - Luis Herrera-Estrella
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Plant and Soil Science Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (T.K.-G.); (D.L.-A.)
- Unidad de Genómica Avanzada/Langebio, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Irapuato 36821, Mexico
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2
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Withers KA, Kvamme A, Youngstrom CE, Yarvis RM, Orpano R, Simons GP, Irish EE, Cheng CL. Auxin Involvement in Ceratopteris Gametophyte Meristem Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15832. [PMID: 37958815 PMCID: PMC10647518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth and development of the Ceratopteris hermaphroditic gametophytes are dependent on cell proliferation in the marginal meristem, which when destroyed will regenerate at a new location on the body margin. We established a laser ablation method to destroy a single initial cell in the meristem. Ablation caused the cessation of cell proliferation accompanied by the disappearance of the expression of an auxin synthesis gene (CrTAA2) and a cell proliferation marker gene (CrWOXB). New meristem regeneration occurred within a predictable distance from the original two days post-ablation, signified by cell proliferation and the expression of CrTAA2. Treatment with the naturally occurring auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), or the transport inhibitor naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) altered positioning of the original marginal meristem toward the apex of the gametophyte. IAA altered positioning of the regenerated meristem after damaging the original meristem. A model of auxin involvement in the positioning of the marginal meristem in Ceratopteris is presented to encompass these results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chi-Lien Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (K.A.W.); (A.K.); (C.E.Y.); (R.M.Y.); (R.O.); (G.P.S.); (E.E.I.)
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3
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Cannon AE, Sabharwal T, Salmi ML, Chittari GK, Annamalai V, Leggett L, Morris H, Slife C, Clark G, Roux SJ. Two distinct light-induced reactions are needed to promote germination in spores of Ceratopteris richardii. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1150199. [PMID: 37332704 PMCID: PMC10272463 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1150199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Germination of Ceratopteris richardii spores is initiated by light and terminates 3-4 days later with the emergence of a rhizoid. Early studies documented that the photoreceptor for initiating this response is phytochrome. However, completion of germination requires additional light input. If no further light stimulus is given after phytochrome photoactivation, the spores do not germinate. Here we show that a crucial second light reaction is required, and its function is to activate and sustain photosynthesis. Even in the presence of light, blocking photosynthesis with DCMU after phytochrome photoactivation blocks germination. In addition, RT-PCR showed that transcripts for different phytochromes are expressed in spores in darkness, and the photoactivation of these phytochromes results in the increased transcription of messages encoding chlorophyll a/b binding proteins. The lack of chlorophyll-binding protein transcripts in unirradiated spores and their slow accumulation makes it unlikely that photosynthesis is required for the initial light reaction. This conclusion is supported by the observation that the transient presence of DCMU, only during the initial light reaction, had no effect on germination. Additionally, the [ATP] in Ceratopteris richardii spores increased coincidentally with the length of light treatment during germination. Overall, these results support the conclusion that two distinct light reactions are required for the germination of Ceratopteris richardii spores.
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Wu X, Liu X, Zhang S, Zhou Y. Cell Division and Meristem Dynamics in Fern Gametophytes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:209. [PMID: 36616337 PMCID: PMC9823664 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important questions in all multicellular organisms is how to define and maintain different cell fates during continuous cell division and proliferation. Plant meristems provide a unique research system to address this fundamental question because meristems dynamically maintain themselves and sustain organogenesis through balancing cell division and cell differentiation. Different from the gametophytes of seed plants that depend on their sporophytes and lack meristems, the gametophytes of seed-free ferns develop different types of meristems (including apical cell-based meristems and multicellular apical and marginal meristems) to promote independent growth and proliferation during the sexual gametophyte phase. Recent studies combining confocal time-lapse imaging and computational image analysis reveal the cellular basis of the initiation and proliferation of different types of meristems in fern gametophytes, providing new insights into the evolution of meristems in land plants. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the cell growth dynamics in fern gametophytes and discuss both conserved and diversified mechanisms underlying meristem cell proliferation in seed-free vascular plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Center of Pear Engineering Technology Research, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Shaoling Zhang
- Center of Pear Engineering Technology Research, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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5
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Geng Y, Yan A, Zhou Y. Positional cues and cell division dynamics drive meristem development and archegonium formation in Ceratopteris gametophytes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:650. [PMID: 35778477 PMCID: PMC9249879 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fern gametophytes are autotrophic and independent of sporophytes, and they develop pluripotent meristems that drive prothallus development and sexual reproduction. To reveal cellular dynamics during meristem development in fern gametophytes, we performed long-term time-lapse imaging and determined the real-time lineage, identity and division activity of each single cell from meristem initiation to establishment in gametophytes of the fern Ceratopteris richardii. Our results demonstrate that in Ceratopteris gametophytes, only a few cell lineages originated from the marginal layer contribute to meristem initiation and proliferation, and the meristem lacks a distinguishable central zone or apical cell with low division activity. Within the meristem, cell division is independent of cell lineages and cells at the marginal layer are more actively dividing than inner cells. Furthermore, the meristem triggers differentiation of adjacent cells into egg-producing archegonia in a position-dependent manner. These findings advance the understanding of diversified meristem and gametophyte development in land plants. Time-lapse imaging of the fern Ceratopteris richardii during meristem initiation and proliferation provides insights into the lineage, identity and division activity of each cell throughout the growth of gametophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Geng
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.,Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - An Yan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA. .,Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Wu X, Yan A, Yang X, Banks JA, Zhang S, Zhou Y. Cell growth dynamics in two types of apical meristems in fern gametophytes. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:149-163. [PMID: 35451138 PMCID: PMC9541313 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to seed plants, the gametophytes of seed-free plants develop pluripotent meristems, which promote and sustain their independent growth and development. To date, the cellular basis of meristem development in gametophytes of seed-free ferns remains largely unknown. In this study, we used Woodsia obtusa, the blunt-lobe cliff fern, to quantitatively determine cell growth dynamics in two different types of apical meristems - the apical initial centered meristem and the multicellular apical meristem in gametophytes. Through confocal time-lapse live imaging and computational image analysis and quantification, we determined unique patterns of cell division and growth that sustain or terminate apical initials, dictate the transition from apical initials to multicellular apical meristems, and drive proliferation of apical meristems in ferns. Quantitative results showed that small cells correlated to active cell division in fern gametophytes. The marginal cells of multicellular apical meristems in fern gametophytes undergo division in both anticlinal and periclinal orientations, not only increasing cell numbers but also playing a dominant role in increasing cell layers during gametophyte development. All these findings provide insights into the function and regulation of meristems in gametophytes of seed-free vascular plants, suggesting both conserved and diversified mechanisms underlying meristem cell proliferation across land plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Botany and Plant PathologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
- Purdue Center for Plant BiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Center of Pear Engineering Technology ResearchNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsu210095China
| | - An Yan
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCalifornia91125USA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCalifornia91125USA
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Botany and Plant PathologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
- Purdue Center for Plant BiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
| | - Jo Ann Banks
- Department of Botany and Plant PathologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
- Purdue Center for Plant BiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
| | - Shaoling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Center of Pear Engineering Technology ResearchNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsu210095China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Botany and Plant PathologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
- Purdue Center for Plant BiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndiana47907USA
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7
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Wong A, Gehring C. New Horizons in Plant Cell Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5826. [PMID: 35628641 PMCID: PMC9147848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Responding to environmental stimuli with appropriate molecular mechanisms is essential to all life forms and particularly so in sessile organisms such as plants [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Wong
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Wenzhou 325060, China
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou 325060, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Lab for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Wenzhou 325060, China
| | - Christoph Gehring
- Department of Chemistry, Biology & Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
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Function and Regulation of microRNA171 in Plant Stem Cell Homeostasis and Developmental Programing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052544. [PMID: 35269685 PMCID: PMC8910752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA171 (miR171), a group of 21-nucleotide single-strand small RNAs, is one ancient and conserved microRNA family in land plants. This review focuses on the recent progress in understanding the role of miR171 in plant stem cell homeostasis and developmental patterning, and the regulation of miR171 by developmental cues and environmental signals. Specifically, miR171 regulates shoot meristem activity and phase transition through repressing the HAIRYMERISTEM (HAM) family genes. In the model species Arabidopsis, miR171 serves as a short-range mobile signal, which initiates in the epidermal layer of shoot meristems and moves downwards within a limited distance, to pattern the apical-basal polarity of gene expression and drive stem cell dynamics. miR171 levels are regulated by light and various abiotic stresses, suggesting miR171 may serve as a linkage between environmental factors and cell fate decisions. Furthermore, miR171 family members also demonstrate both conserved and lineage-specific functions in land plants, which are summarized and discussed here.
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9
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Wu X, Yan A, Liu X, Zhang S, Zhou Y. Quantitative live-imaging reveals the dynamics of apical cells during gametophyte development in ferns. QUANTITATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 3:e25. [PMID: 37077984 PMCID: PMC10095955 DOI: 10.1017/qpb.2022.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Meristems in land plants share conserved functions but develop highly variable structures. Meristems in seed-free plants, including ferns, usually contain one or a few pyramid-/wedge-shaped apical cells (ACs) as initials, which are lacking in seed plants. It remained unclear how ACs promote cell proliferation in fern gametophytes and whether any persistent AC exists to sustain fern gametophyte development continuously. Here, we uncovered previously undefined ACs maintained even at late developmental stages in fern gametophytes. Through quantitative live-imaging, we determined division patterns and growth dynamics that maintain the persistent AC in Sphenomeris chinensis, a representative fern. The AC and its immediate progenies form a conserved cell packet, driving cell proliferation and prothallus expansion. At the apical centre of gametophytes, the AC and its adjacent progenies display small dimensions resulting from active cell division instead of reduced cell expansion. These findings provide insight into diversified meristem development in land plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
- Purdue Centre for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
- Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - An Yan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California91125, USA
| | - Xing Liu
- Purdue Centre for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
| | - Shaoling Zhang
- Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Authors for correspondence: S. Zhang, Y. Zhou, E-mail: ;
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
- Purdue Centre for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, USA
- Authors for correspondence: S. Zhang, Y. Zhou, E-mail: ;
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Geng Y, Zhou Y. HAM Gene Family and Shoot Meristem Development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:800332. [PMID: 34987539 PMCID: PMC8720772 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.800332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Land plants develop highly diversified shoot architectures, all of which are derived from the pluripotent stem cells in shoot apical meristems (SAMs). As sustainable resources for continuous organ formation in the aboveground tissues, SAMs play an important role in determining plant yield and biomass production. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding one group of key regulators - the HAIRY MERISTEM (HAM) family GRAS domain proteins - in shoot meristems. We highlight the functions of HAM family members in dictating shoot stem cell initiation and proliferation, the signaling cascade that shapes HAM expression domains in shoot meristems, and the conservation and diversification of HAM family members in land plants. We also discuss future directions that potentially lead to a more comprehensive view of the HAM gene family and stem cell homeostasis in land plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Geng
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Yun Zhou,
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