Premium
Wiring a plant: genetic networks for phloem formation in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Author(s) -
RodriguezVillalon Antia
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.13527
Subject(s) - arabidopsis thaliana , phloem , botany , arabidopsis , biology , plant metabolism , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , mutant , rna
Summary In plants, phloem conduits form a specialized vascular network mediating the exchange of nutrients and signaling molecules between distantly separated organs. To become effective transport elements, protophloem cells undergo a rather unique, differentiation program that involves nucleus degradation, organelle rearrangement and cell wall thickening. Yet, protophloem sieve elements remain alive because their essential metabolic functions are supported by their neighboring companion cells. In spite of the importance of the phloem, the molecular mechanisms orchestrating protophloem specification and differentiation remain still poorly understood. In this review, I provide a summary of recent discoveries regarding morphogenetic events that determine phloem formation, and also a discussion of the systemic effects on root architecture derived from impaired protophloem differentiation programs.ContentsSummary 45 I. Introduction 45 II. Root phloem formation in Arabidopsis thaliana 46 III. Genetic regulatory networks controlling phloem specification 46 IV. Molecular mechanisms regulating phloem differentiation 47 V. Systemic effects of protophloem differentiation in root architecture 48 VI. Future perspectives 48Acknowledgements 49References 49