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PLETHORA‐WOX5 interaction and subnuclear localization control Arabidopsis root stem cell maintenance
Author(s) -
Burkart Rebecca C,
Strotmann Vivien I,
Kirschner Gwendolyn K,
Akinci Abdullah,
Czempik Laura,
Dolata Anika,
Maizel Alexis,
WeidtkampPeters Stefanie,
Stahl Yvonne
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.202154105
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , microbiology and biotechnology , control (management) , stem cell , biology , computer science , gene , genetics , mutant , artificial intelligence
Maintenance and homeostasis of the stem cell niche (SCN) in the Arabidopsis root is essential for growth and development of all root cell types. The SCN is organized around a quiescent center (QC) maintaining the stemness of cells in direct contact. The key transcription factors (TFs) WUSCHEL‐RELATED HOMEOBOX 5 (WOX5) and PLETHORAs (PLTs) are expressed in the SCN where they maintain the QC and regulate distal columella stem cell (CSC) fate. Here, we describe the concerted mutual regulation of the key TFs WOX5 and PLTs on a transcriptional and protein interaction level. Additionally, by applying a novel SCN staining method, we demonstrate that both WOX5 and PLTs regulate root SCN homeostasis as they control QC quiescence and CSC fate interdependently. Moreover, we uncover that some PLTs, especially PLT3, contain intrinsically disordered prion‐like domains (PrDs) that are necessary for complex formation with WOX5 and its recruitment to subnuclear microdomains/nuclear bodies (NBs) in the CSCs. We propose that this partitioning of PLT‐WOX5 complexes to NBs, possibly by phase separation, is important for CSC fate determination.