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Cadmium stress suppresses lateral root formation by interfering with the root clock
Author(s) -
Xie Yuanming,
Wang Jiahui,
Zheng Lulu,
Wang Yu,
Luo Long,
Ma Mingyue,
Zhang Chi,
Han Yi,
Beeckman Tom,
Xu Guohua,
Cai Qingsheng,
Xuan Wei
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.13635
Subject(s) - root (linguistics) , cadmium , stress (linguistics) , chemistry , philosophy , organic chemistry , linguistics
A biological clock activated by oscillating signals, known as root clock, has been linked to lateral root (LR) formation and is essential for regular LR spacing along the primary root. However, it remains unclear how this internal mechanism is influenced by environmental factors known to affect the LR pattern. Here, we report that excessive cadmium (Cd) inhibits LR formation by disrupting the lateral root cap (LRC)‐programmed cell death (PCD)‐regulated root clock. Cd restricts the frequency of the oscillating signal rather than its amplitude. This could be attributed to the inhibition on meristematic activity by Cd, which resulted in decreased LRC cell number and LRC‐PCD frequency. Genetic evidence further showed that LRC cell number is positively correlated with root resistance to Cd. Our study reveals root cap dynamics as a novel mechanism mediating root responses to Cd, providing insight into the signalling pathways of the root clock responding to environmental cues.