PLETHORA proteins as dose-dependent master regulators of Arabidopsis root development

Carla Galinha, Hugo Hofhuis, Marijn Luijten, Viola Willemsen, Ikram Blilou, Renze Heidstra, Ben Scheres*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

677 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Factors with a graded distribution can program fields of cells in a dose-dependent manner, but no evidence has hitherto surfaced for such mechanisms in plants. In the Arabidopsis thaliana root, two PLETHORA (PLT) genes encoding AP2-domain transcription factors have been shown to maintain the activity of stem cells. Here we show that a clade of four PLT homologues is necessary for root formation. Promoter activity and protein fusions of PLT homologues display gradient distributions with maxima in the stem cell area. PLT activities are largely additive and dosage dependent. High levels of PLT activity promote stem cell identity and maintenance; lower levels promote mitotic activity of stem cell daughters; and further reduction in levels is required for cell differentiation. Our findings indicate that PLT protein dosage is translated into distinct cellular responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1053-1057
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume449
Issue number7165
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Oct 2007
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'PLETHORA proteins as dose-dependent master regulators of Arabidopsis root development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this