Abstract
CLAVATA3 (CLV3), a stem cell marker in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes a secreted peptide that maintains the stem cell population within the shoot apical meristem. This work investigated the CLV3 orthologue in a major legume crop, soybean (GmCLV3). Instead of being expressed in the three outermost layers of the meristem as in Arabidopsis, GmCLV3 was expressed deeper in the central zone beneath the fourth layer (L4) of the meristem, overlapping with the expression of soybean WUSCHEL. Subsequent investigation using an alternative stem cell marker (GmLOG1) revealed its expression within layers L2–L4, indicating that GmCLV3 is not a stem cell marker. Overexpression studies of GmCLV3 in Arabidopsis and complementation of clv3-2 mutant suggest similar functional capacity to that of Arabidopsis CLV3. The expression of soybean CLV1, which encodes a receptor for CLV3 in Arabidopsis, was not detectable in the central zone of the meristem via reverse-transcription PCR analysis of amplified RNA from laser-microdissected samples or in situ, implicating a diverged pathway in soybean. This study also reports the novel expression of GmLOG1 in initials of axillary meristem in the boundary region between the SAM and developing leaf primordia, before the expression of GmWUS or GmCLV3, indicating cytokinin as one of the earliest signals in initiating and specifying the stem cell population.
Highlights
Plant peptide ligands are signalling molecules that play vital roles in various aspects of plant growth and development
This study reports the novel expression of GmLOG1 in initials of axillary meristem in the boundary region between the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and developing leaf primordia, before the expression of GmWUS or GmCLV3, indicating cytokinin as one of the earliest signals in initiating and specifying the stem cell population
CLAVATA3 (CLV3) from Arabidopsis thaliana represents the best-understood member of the CLAVATA3/embryo-surrounding region (CLE) family, with the CLV3 ligand known to function in maintaining the stem cell population within the shoot apical meristem (SAM)
Summary
Plant peptide ligands are signalling molecules that play vital roles in various aspects of plant growth and development. Among them is the CLAVATA3/embryo-surrounding region (CLE) family of peptide, which is characterized by an N-terminal signal peptide and a conserved 14 residues domain (CLE motif) at the C-terminus (Cock and McCormick, 2001). CLAVATA3 (CLV3) from Arabidopsis thaliana represents the best-understood member of the CLE family, with the CLV3 ligand known to function in maintaining the stem cell population within the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Stem cells residing in the SAM are the source of new cells for the development of all aboveground organs. They can self-maintain as well as give rise to daughter cells that leave the stem cell niche to develop into specialized cell type.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
