Abstract
Intricate mechanisms discriminate between friends and foes in plants. Plant organs deploy overlapping and distinct protection strategies. Despite vulnerability to a plethora of pathogens, the growing tips of plants grow bacteria free. The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is among three stem cells niches, a self-renewable reservoir for the future organogenesis of leaf, stem, and flowers. How plants safeguard this high value growth target from infections was not known until now. Recent reports find the stem cell secreted 12-amino acid peptide CLV3p (CLAVATA3 peptide) is perceived by FLS2 (FLAGELLIN SENSING 2) receptor and activates the transcription of immunity and defense marker genes. No infection in the SAM of wild type plants and bacterial infection in clv3 and fls2 mutants illustrate this natural protection against infections. Cytokinins (CKs) are enriched in the SAM and regulate meristem activities by their involvement in stem cell signaling networks. Auxin mediates plant susceptibility to pathogen infections while CKs boost plant immunity. Here, in addition to the stem-cell-triggered immunity we also highlight a potential link between CK signaling and CLV3p mediated immune response in the SAM.
Highlights
Plants are deprived of mechanical articulation in parts of their bodies
The shoot apical meristem (SAM), the root apical meristem (RAM), and the vascular meristem are the custodians of stem cells
We focus on recent reports delineating the mechanism of stem-celltriggered immunity in the SAM (Lee et al, 2011, 2012a)
Summary
Plants are deprived of mechanical articulation in parts of their bodies. Unlike animals, which defend themselves from enemies through fight and flight, plants are comparatively more vulnerable to damages caused by biotic and abiotic stresses due to their sessile life style. In addition to the stem-cell-triggered immunity we highlight a potential link between CK signaling and CLV3p mediated immune response in the SAM.
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