Abstract
Plant tissue architecture and organ morphogenesis rely on the proper orientation of cell divisions. Previous attempts to predict division planes from cell geometry in plants mostly focused on 2D symmetric divisions. Using the stereotyped division patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana early embryogenesis, we investigated geometrical principles underlying plane selection in symmetric and in asymmetric divisions within complex 3D cell shapes. Introducing a 3D computational model of cell division, we show that area minimization constrained on passing through the cell centroid predicts observed divisions. Our results suggest that the positioning of division planes ensues from cell geometry and gives rise to spatially organized cell types with stereotyped shapes, thus underlining the role of self-organization in the developing architecture of the embryo. Our data further suggested the rule could be interpreted as surface minimization constrained by the nucleus position, which was validated using live imaging of cell divisions in the stomatal cell lineage.
Highlights
In plants, patterns of cell divisions combined with growth and differentiation determine the hierarchical organization into tissues and organs
The proper positioning of division planes is key for correct development and morphogenesis of organs, in particular in plants were cellular walls prevent cell rearrangements
Previous attempts to identify geometrical rules relating cell shape and division plane positioning in plants mostly focused on symmetric divisions in tissues reduced to 2D geometries
Summary
Patterns of cell divisions combined with growth and differentiation determine the hierarchical organization into tissues and organs. Cells can proliferate via symmetric divisions while asymmetric divisions are mainly associated with initiation of new cell types, layers and developmental patterns [1, 2]. Cleavage plane formation has often been associated with cell polarity. A classical paradigm is that cleavage plane position would be driven by some asymmetrically distributed cell fate determinant, which would drive daughter cells towards different developmental fates. An alternative view is that daughter cells would share initially the same determinant but would be subjected to different positional cues causing them to develop differently [3]. Elucidating the principles that govern symmetric and asymmetric divisions is required to better understand the cellular bases of plant development and morphogenesis
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