Regulation of Arabidopsis root development by small signaling peptides

Christina Delay,Nijat Imin,Michael A. Djordjevic

doi:10.3389/fpls.2013.00352

Abstract

Plant root systems arise de novo from a single embryonic root. Complex and highly coordinated developmental networks are required to ensure the formation of lateral organs maximizes plant fitness. The Arabidopsis root is well-suited to dissection of regulatory and developmental networks due to its highly ordered, predictable structure. A myriad of regulatory signaling networks control the development of plant roots, from the classical hormones such as auxin and cytokinin to short-range positional signaling molecules that relay information between neighboring cells. Small signaling peptides are a growing class of regulatory molecules involved in many aspects of root development including meristem maintenance, the gravitropic response, lateral root development, and vascular formation. Here, recent findings on the roles of regulatory peptides in these aspects of root development are discussed.

Highlights

The entire plant root system is formed post-embryonically from a single primary root
While the classical phytohormones are key players in many aspects of root development, cell-to-cell communication is a vital component of most developmental processes
There has been a leap in our understanding of the roles of regulatory peptides in root development

Summary

Regulation of Arabidopsis root development by small signaling peptides

Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Reviewed by: Ive De Smet, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Belgium Reidunn Birgitta Aalen, University of Oslo, Norway. Complex and highly coordinated developmental networks are required to ensure the formation of lateral organs maximizes plant fitness. The Arabidopsis root is well-suited to dissection of regulatory and developmental networks due to its highly ordered, predictable structure. A myriad of regulatory signaling networks control the development of plant roots, from the classical hormones such as auxin and cytokinin to short-range positional signaling molecules that relay information between neighboring cells. Small signaling peptides are a growing class of regulatory molecules involved in many aspects of root development including meristem maintenance, the gravitropic response, lateral root development, and vascular formation.

INTRODUCTION

Regulatory peptides and root development