ERULUS Is a Plasma Membrane-Localized Receptor-Like Kinase That Specifies Root Hair Growth by Maintaining Tip-Focused Cytoplasmic Calcium Oscillations

Modulation of morphogenesis and metabolism by plant cell biomechanics: from model plants to traditional herbs

The quality of traditional herbs depends on organ morphogenesis and the accumulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients. While recent research highlights the significance of cell mechanobiology in model plant morphogenesis, our understanding of mechanical signal initiation and transduction in traditional herbs remains incomplete. Recent studies reveal a close correlation between cell wall (CW) biosynthesis and active ingredient production, yet the role of cell mechanics in balancing morphogenesis and secondary metabolism is often overlooked. This review explores how the cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoskeleton, and vacuole collaborate to regulate cell mechanics and respond to mechanical changes. We propose CW biosynthesis as a hub in connecting cell mechanics with secondary metabolism and emphasize that understanding the relationship between mechanical remodeling and secondary metabolism could provide new insights into plant cell mechanobiology and the breeding of high-quality herbs.

FERONIA: A Receptor Kinase at the Core of a Global Signaling Network

Initially identified as a key regulator of female fertility in Arabidopsis, the FERONIA (FER) receptor kinase is now recognized as crucial for almost all aspects of plant growth and survival. FER partners with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein of the LLG family to act as coreceptors on the cell surface. The FER-LLG coreceptor interacts with different RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR (RALF) peptide ligands to function in various growth and developmental processes and to respond to challenges from the environment. The RALF-FER-LLG signaling modules interact with molecules in the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus and mediate an interwoven signaling network. Multiple FER-LLG modules, each anchored by FER or a FER-related receptor kinase, have been studied, illustrating the functional diversity and the mechanistic complexity of the FER family signaling modules. The challenges going forward are to distill from this complexity the unifying schemes where possible and attain precision and refinement in the knowledge of critical details upon which future investigations can be built. By focusing on the extensively characterized FER, this review provides foundational information to guide the next phase of research on FER in model as well as crop species and potential applications for improving plant growth and resilience.

Cell surface receptor kinase FERONIA linked to nutrient sensor TORC signaling controls root hair growth at low temperature linked to low nitrate in Arabidopsis thaliana

Root hairs (RH) are excellent model systems for studying cell size and polarity since they elongate several hundred-fold their original size. Their tip growth is determined both by intrinsic and environmental signals. Although nutrient availability and temperature are key factors for a sustained plant growth, the molecular mechanisms underlying their sensing and downstream signaling pathways remain unclear. We use genetics to address the roles of the cell surface receptor kinase FERONIA (FER) and the nutrient sensing TOR Complex 1 (TORC) in RH growth. We identified that low temperature (10°C) triggers a strong RH elongation response in Arabidopsis thaliana involving FER and TORC. We found that FER is required to perceive limited nutrient availability caused by low temperature. FERONIA interacts with and activates TORC-downstream components to trigger RH growth. In addition, the small GTPase Rho of plants 2 (ROP2) is also involved in this RH growth response linking FER and TOR. We also found that limited nitrogen nutrient availability can mimic the RH growth response at 10°C in a NRT1.1-dependent manner. These results uncover a molecular mechanism by which a central hub composed by FER-ROP2-TORC is involved in the control of RH elongation under low temperature and nitrogen deficiency.

The function of the plant cell wall in plant-microbe interactions

The plant cell wall is an interface of plant-microbe interactions. The ability of microbes to decompose cell wall polysaccharides contributes to microbial pathogenicity. Plants have evolved mechanisms to prevent cell wall degradation. However, the role of the cell wall in plant-microbe interactions is not well understood. Here, we discuss four functions of the plant cell wall-physical defence, storage of antimicrobial compounds, production of cell wall-derived elicitors, and provision of carbon sources-in the context of plant-microbe interactions. In addition, we discuss the four families of cell surface receptors associated with plant cell walls (malectin-like receptor kinase family, wall-associated kinase family, leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase family, and lysin motif receptor-like kinase family) that have been the subject of several important studies in recent years. This review summarises the findings on both plant cell wall and plant immunity, improving our understanding and may provide impetus to various researchers.

Genomic footprints of selection in early-and late-flowering pearl millet landraces

Pearl millet is among the top three-cereal production in one of the most climate vulnerable regions, sub-Saharan Africa. Its Sahelian origin makes it adapted to grow in poor sandy soils under low soil water regimes. Pearl millet is thus considered today as one of the most interesting crops to face the global warming. Flowering time, a trait highly correlated with latitude, is one of the key traits that could be modulated to face future global changes. West African pearl millet landraces, can be grouped into early- (EF) and late-flowering (LF) varieties, each flowering group playing a specific role in the functioning and resilience of Sahelian smallholders. The aim of this study was thus to detect genes linked to flowering but also linked to relevant traits within each flowering group. We thus investigated genomic and phenotypic diversity in 109 pearl millet landrace accessions, i.e., 66 early-flowering and 43 late-flowering, grown in the groundnut basin, the first area of rainfed agriculture in Senegal dominated by dry cereals (millet, maize, and sorghum) and legumes (groundnuts, cowpeas). We were able to confirm the role of PhyC gene in pearl millet flowering and identify several other genes that appear to be as much as important, such as FSR12 and HAC1. HAC1 and two other genes appear to be part of QTLs previously identified and deserve further investigation. At the same time, we were able to highlight a several genes and variants that could contribute to the improvement of pearl millet yield, especially since their impact was demonstrated across flowering cycles.

A novel calmodulin-interacting Domain of Unknown Function 506 protein represses root hair elongation in Arabidopsis

Domain of Unknown Function 506 proteins are ubiquitous in plants. The phosphorus (P) stress-inducible REPRESSOR OF EXCESSIVE ROOT HAIR GROWTH1 (AtRXR1) gene encodes the first characterized DUF506. AtRXR1 inhibits root hair elongation by interacting with RabD2c GTPase. However, functions of other P-responsive DUF506 genes are still missing. Here, we selected two additional P-inducible DUF506 genes for further investigation. The expression of both genes was induced by auxin. Under P-stress, At3g07350 gene expressed ubiquitously in seedlings, whereas At1g62420 (AtRXR3) expression was strongest in roots. AtRXR3 overexpressors and knockouts had shorter and longer root hairs, respectively. A functional AtRXR3-green fluorescent protein fusion localized to root epidermal cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that AtRXR3 was transcriptionally activated by RSL4. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and calmodulin (CaM)-binding assays showed that AtRXR3 interacted with CaM in the presence of Ca²⁺ . Moreover, cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺ ]_cyt ) oscillations in root hairs of rxr3 mutants exhibited elevated frequencies and dampened amplitudes compared to those of wild type. Thus, AtRXR3 is another DUF506 protein that attenuates P-limitation-induced root hair growth through mechanisms that involve RSL4 and interaction with CaM to modulate tip-focused [Ca²⁺ ]_cyt oscillations.

Dynamics of pectic homogalacturonan in cellular morphogenesis and adhesion, wall integrity sensing and plant development

Homogalacturonan (HG) is the most abundant pectin subtype in plant cell walls. Although it is a linear homopolymer, its modification states allow for complex molecular encoding. HG metabolism affects its structure, chemical properties, mobility and binding capacity, allowing it to interact dynamically with other polymers during wall assembly and remodelling and to facilitate anisotropic cell growth, cell adhesion and separation, and organ morphogenesis. HGs have also recently been found to function as signalling molecules that transmit information about wall integrity to the cell. Here we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the dual functions of HG as a dynamic structural component of the cell wall and an initiator of intrinsic and environmental signalling. We also predict how HG might interconnect the cell wall, plasma membrane and intracellular components with transcriptional networks to regulate plant growth and development.

A phosphorus-limitation induced, functionally conserved DUF506 protein is a repressor of root hair elongation in plants

Root hairs (RHs) function in nutrient and water acquisition, root metabolite exudation, soil anchorage and plant-microbe interactions. Longer or more abundant RHs are potential breeding traits for developing crops that are more resource-use efficient and can improve soil health. While many genes are known to promote RH elongation, relatively little is known about genes and mechanisms that constrain RH growth. Here we demonstrate that a DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION 506 (DUF506) protein, AT3G25240, negatively regulates Arabidopsis thaliana RH growth. The AT3G25240 gene is strongly and specifically induced during phosphorus (P)-limitation. Mutants of this gene, which we call REPRESSOR OF EXCESSIVE ROOT HAIR ELONGATION 1 (RXR1), have much longer RHs, higher phosphate content and seedling biomass, while overexpression of the gene exhibits opposite phenotypes. Co-immunoprecipitation, pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses reveal that RXR1 physically interacts with a RabD2c GTPase in nucleus, and a rabd2c mutant phenocopies the rxr1 mutant. Furthermore, N-terminal variable region of RXR1 is crucial for inhibiting RH growth. Overexpression of a Brachypodium distachyon RXR1 homolog results in repression of RH elongation in Brachypodium. Taken together, our results reveal a novel DUF506-GTPase module with a prominent role in repression of plant RH elongation especially under P stress.

Malectin/Malectin-like domain-containing proteins: A repertoire of cell surface molecules with broad functional potential

Cell walls are at the front line of interactions between walled-organisms and their environment. They support cell expansion, ensure cell integrity and, for multicellular organisms such as plants, they provide cell adherence, support cell shape morphogenesis and mediate cell-cell communication. Wall-sensing, detecting perturbations in the wall and signaling the cell to respond accordingly, is crucial for growth and survival. In recent years, plant signaling research has suggested that a large family of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) could function as wall sensors partly because their extracellular domains show homology with malectin, a diglucose binding protein from the endoplasmic reticulum of animal cells. Studies of several malectin/malectin-like (M/ML) domain-containing RLKs (M/MLD-RLKs) from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have revealed an impressive array of biological roles, controlling growth, reproduction and stress responses, processes that in various ways rely on or affect the cell wall. Malectin homologous sequences are widespread across biological kingdoms, but plants have uniquely evolved a highly expanded family of proteins with ML domains embedded within various protein contexts. Here, we present an overview on proteins with malectin homologous sequences in different kingdoms, discuss the chromosomal organization of Arabidopsis M/MLD-RLKs and the phylogenetic relationship between these proteins from several model and crop species. We also discuss briefly the molecular networks that enable the diverse biological roles served by M/MLD-RLKs studied thus far.

A starting guide to root ecology: strengthening ecological concepts and standardising root classification, sampling, processing and trait measurements

In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep on generating cutting-edge, meaningful and integrated knowledge. Consideration of the below-ground components in plant and ecosystem studies has been consistently called for in recent decades, but methodology is disparate and sometimes inappropriate. This handbook, based on the collective effort of a large team of experts, will improve trait comparisons across studies and integration of information across databases by providing standardised methods and controlled vocabularies. It is meant to be used not only as starting point by students and scientists who desire working on below-ground ecosystems, but also by experts for consolidating and broadening their views on multiple aspects of root ecology. Beyond the classical compilation of measurement protocols, we have synthesised recommendations from the literature to provide key background knowledge useful for: (1) defining below-ground plant entities and giving keys for their meaningful dissection, classification and naming beyond the classical fine-root vs coarse-root approach; (2) considering the specificity of root research to produce sound laboratory and field data; (3) describing typical, but overlooked steps for studying roots (e.g. root handling, cleaning and storage); and (4) gathering metadata necessary for the interpretation of results and their reuse. Most importantly, all root traits have been introduced with some degree of ecological context that will be a foundation for understanding their ecological meaning, their typical use and uncertainties, and some methodological and conceptual perspectives for future research. Considering all of this, we urge readers not to solely extract protocol recommendations for trait measurements from this work, but to take a moment to read and reflect on the extensive information contained in this broader guide to root ecology, including sections I-VII and the many introductions to each section and root trait description. Finally, it is critical to understand that a major aim of this guide is to help break down barriers between the many subdisciplines of root ecology and ecophysiology, broaden researchers' views on the multiple aspects of root study and create favourable conditions for the inception of comprehensive experiments on the role of roots in plant and ecosystem functioning.

A starting guide to root ecology: strengthening ecological concepts and standardising root classification, sampling, processing and trait measurements

In the context of a recent massive increase in research on plant root functions and their impact on the environment, root ecologists currently face many important challenges to keep on generating cutting-edge, meaningful and integrated knowledge. Consideration of the below-ground components in plant and ecosystem studies has been consistently called for in recent decades, but methodology is disparate and sometimes inappropriate. This handbook, based on the collective effort of a large team of experts, will improve trait comparisons across studies and integration of information across databases by providing standardised methods and controlled vocabularies. It is meant to be used not only as starting point by students and scientists who desire working on below-ground ecosystems, but also by experts for consolidating and broadening their views on multiple aspects of root ecology. Beyond the classical compilation of measurement protocols, we have synthesised recommendations from the literature to provide key background knowledge useful for: (1) defining below-ground plant entities and giving keys for their meaningful dissection, classification and naming beyond the classical fine-root vs coarse-root approach; (2) considering the specificity of root research to produce sound laboratory and field data; (3) describing typical, but overlooked steps for studying roots (e.g. root handling, cleaning and storage); and (4) gathering metadata necessary for the interpretation of results and their reuse. Most importantly, all root traits have been introduced with some degree of ecological context that will be a foundation for understanding their ecological meaning, their typical use and uncertainties, and some methodological and conceptual perspectives for future research. Considering all of this, we urge readers not to solely extract protocol recommendations for trait measurements from this work, but to take a moment to read and reflect on the extensive information contained in this broader guide to root ecology, including sections I-VII and the many introductions to each section and root trait description. Finally, it is critical to understand that a major aim of this guide is to help break down barriers between the many subdisciplines of root ecology and ecophysiology, broaden researchers' views on the multiple aspects of root study and create favourable conditions for the inception of comprehensive experiments on the role of roots in plant and ecosystem functioning.

Imaging the Cytoskeleton in Living Plant Roots

For the past two decades, genetically encoded fluorescent proteins have emerged as the most popular method to image the plant cytoskeleton. Because fluorescent protein technology involves handling living plant cells, it is important to implement protocols that enable these delicate plant specimens to maintain optimal growth for the entire duration of the imaging experiment. To this end, we rely on a system that consists of a large coverslip coated with nutrient-supplemented agar. This agar-coverslip system is planted with surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds expressing cytoskeletal fluorescent protein reporters. The agar-coverslip system with planted seeds is then maintained in an environmentally controlled growth chamber. The entire setup is transferred onto the stage of a confocal microscope for imaging when roots of germinated seedlings reach a desired length. For plants with larger roots such as Medicago truncatula, the polymerized nutrient-supplemented agar is gently lifted or cut and used to secure pre-germinated seeds on the coverslip prior to root imaging. The agar-coverslip system we use for imaging the cytoskeleton in living roots along with general methods for expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based cytoskeletal reporters in hairy roots of Medicago truncatula is described here.

The molecular-physiological functions of mineral macronutrients and their consequences for deficiency symptoms in plants

The visual deficiency symptoms developing on plants constitute the ultimate manifestation of suboptimal nutrient supply. In classical plant nutrition, these symptoms have been extensively used as a tool to characterise the nutritional status of plants and to optimise fertilisation. Here we expand this concept by bridging the typical deficiency symptoms for each of the six essential macronutrients to their molecular and physiological functionalities in higher plants. We focus on the most recent insights obtained during the last decade, which now allow us to better understand the links between symptom and function for each element. A deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying the visual deficiency symptoms enables us to thoroughly understand how plants react to nutrient limitations and how these disturbances may affect the productivity and biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems. A proper interpretation of visual deficiency symptoms will support the potential for sustainable crop intensification through the development of new technologies that facilitate automatised management practices based on imaging technologies, remote sensing and in-field sensors, thereby providing the basis for timely application of nutrients via smart and more efficient fertilisation.

Receptor-like Kinases in Root Development: Current Progress and Future Directions

Cell-to-cell and cell-to-environment communications are critical to the growth and development of plants. Cell surface-localized receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are mainly involved in sensing various extracellular signals to initiate their corresponding cellular responses. As important vegetative organs for higher plants to adapt to a terrestrial living situation, roots play a critical role for the survival of plants. It has been demonstrated that RLKs control many biological processes during root growth and development. In this review, we summarize several key regulatory processes during Arabidopsis root development in which RLKs play critical roles. We also put forward a number of relevant questions that are required to be explored in future studies.

Cell Type-Specific Imaging of Calcium Signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedling Roots Using GCaMP3

Cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) is a well-characterized second messenger in eukaryotic cells. An elevation in [Ca²⁺]_cyt levels is one of the earliest responses in plant cells after exposure to a range of environmental stimuli. Advances in understanding the role of [Ca²⁺]_cyt in plant development has been facilitated by the use of genetically-encoded reporters such as GCaMP. Most of these studies have relied on promoters such as Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (35S) and Ubiquitin10 (UBQ10) to drive expression of GCaMP in all cell/tissue types. Plant organs such as roots consist of various cell types that likely exhibit unique [Ca²⁺]_cyt responses to exogenous and endogenous signals. However, few studies have addressed this question. Here, we introduce a set of Arabidopsis thaliana lines expressing GCaMP3 in five root cell types including the columella, endodermis, cortex, epidermis, and trichoblasts. We found similarities and differences in the [Ca²⁺]_cyt signature among these root cell types when exposed to adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), glutamate, aluminum, and salt, which are known to trigger [Ca²⁺]_cyt increases in root cells. These cell type-targeted GCaMP3 lines provide a new resource that should enable more in depth studies that address how a particular environmental stimulus is linked to specific root developmental pathways via [Ca²⁺]_cyt.

Leucine-Rich Repeat Extensin Proteins and Their Role in Cell Wall Sensing

Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall that provides shape and physically limits cell expansion. To sense the environment and status of cell wall structures, plants have evolved cell wall integrity-sensing mechanisms that involve a number of receptors at the plasma membrane. These receptors can bind cell wall components and/or hormones to coordinate processes in the cell wall and the cytoplasm. This review focuses on the role of leucine-rich repeat extensins (LRXs) during cell wall development. LRXs are chimeric proteins that insolubilize in the cell wall and form protein-protein interaction platforms. LRXs bind RALF peptide hormones that modify cell wall expansion and also directly interact with the transmembrane receptor FERONIA, which is involved in cell growth regulation. LRX proteins, therefore, also represent a link between the cell wall and plasma membrane, perceiving extracellular signals and indirectly relaying this information to the cytoplasm.

Overlapping functions and protein-protein interactions of LRR-extensins in Arabidopsis

Plant cell growth requires the coordinated expansion of the protoplast and the cell wall, which is controlled by an elaborate system of cell wall integrity (CWI) sensors linking the different cellular compartments. LRR-eXtensins (LRXs) are cell wall-attached extracellular regulators of cell wall formation and high-affinity binding sites for RALF (Rapid ALkalinization Factor) peptide hormones that trigger diverse physiological processes related to cell growth. LRXs function in CWI sensing and in the case of LRX4 of Arabidopsis thaliana, this activity was shown to involve interaction with the transmembrane CatharanthusroseusReceptor-Like Kinase1-Like (CrRLK1L) protein FERONIA (FER). Here, we demonstrate that binding of RALF1 and FER is common to most tested LRXs of vegetative tissue, including LRX1, the main LRX protein of root hairs. Consequently, an lrx1-lrx5 quintuple mutant line develops shoot and root phenotypes reminiscent of the fer-4 knock-out mutant. The previously observed membrane-association of LRXs, however, is FER-independent, suggesting that LRXs bind not only FER but also other membrane-localized proteins to establish a physical link between intra- and extracellular compartments. Despite evolutionary diversification of various LRX proteins, overexpression of several chimeric LRX constructs causes cross-complementation of lrx mutants, indicative of comparable functions among members of this protein family. Suppressors of the pollen-growth defects induced by mutations in the CrRLK1Ls ANXUR1/2 also alleviate lrx1 lrx2-induced mutant root hair phenotypes. This suggests functional similarity of LRX-CrRLK1L signaling processes in very different cell types and indicates that LRX proteins are components of conserved processes regulating cell growth.

Cell growth in plants requires the coordinated enlargement of the cell and the surrounding cell wall, which is regulated by an elaborate system of cell wall integrity sensors, proteins involved in the exchange of information between the cell and the cell wall. In Arabidopsis thaliana, LRR-extensins (LRXs) are localized in the cell wall and bind RALF peptides, hormones that regulate cell growth-related processes. LRX4 also binds the plasma membrane-localized protein FERONIA (FER), thereby establishing a link between the cell and the cell wall. Here, we show that membrane association of LRX4 is not dependent on FER, suggesting that LRX4 binds other, so far unknown proteins. The LRR domain of several LRXs can bind to FER, consistent with the observation that mutations in multiple LRX genes are required to recapitulate a fer knock-out phenotype. Our results support the notion that LRX-FER interactions are key to proper cell growth.

Multiple cyclic nucleotide-gated channels coordinate calcium oscillations and polar growth of root hairs

Calcium gradients underlie polarization in eukaryotic cells. In plants, a tip-focused Ca2+ -gradient is fundamental for rapid and unidirectional cell expansion during epidermal root hair development. Here we report that three members of the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel family are required to maintain cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations and the normal growth of root hairs. CNGC6, CNGC9 and CNGC14 were expressed in root hairs, with CNGC9 displaying the highest root hair specificity. In individual channel mutants, morphological defects including root hair swelling and branching, as well as bursting, were observed. The developmental phenotypes were amplified in the three cngc double mutant combinations. Finally, cngc6/9/14 triple mutants only developed bulging trichoblasts and could not form normal root hair protrusions because they burst after the transition to the rapid growth phase. Prior to developmental defects, single and double mutants showed increasingly disturbed patterns of Ca2+ oscillations. We conclude that CNGC6, CNGC9 and CNGC14 fulfill partially but not fully redundant functions in generating and maintaining tip-focused Ca2+ oscillations, which are fundamental for proper root hair growth and polarity. Furthermore, the results suggest that these calmodulin-binding and Ca2+ -permeable channels organize a robust tip-focused oscillatory calcium gradient, which is not essential for root hair initiation but is required to control the integrity of the root hair after the transition to the rapid growth phase. Our findings also show that root hairs possess a large ability to compensate calcium-signaling defects, and add new players to the regulatory network, which coordinates cell wall properties and cell expansion during polar root hair growth.

Arabidopsis ABCG28 is required for the apical accumulation of reactive oxygen species in growing pollen tubes

Tip-focused accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is tightly associated with pollen tube growth and is thus critical for fertilization. However, it is unclear how tip-growing cells establish such specific ROS localization. Polyamines have been proposed to function in tip growth as precursors of the ROS, hydrogen peroxide. The ABC transporter AtABCG28 may regulate ROS status, as it contains multiple cysteine residues, a characteristic of proteins involved in ROS homeostasis. In this study, we found that AtABCG28 was specifically expressed in the mature pollen grains and pollen tubes. AtABCG28 was localized to secretory vesicles inside the pollen tube that moved toward and fused with the plasma membrane of the pollen tube tip. Knocking out AtABCG28 resulted in defective pollen tube growth, failure to localize polyamine and ROS to the growing pollen tube tip, and complete male sterility, whereas ectopic expression of this gene in root hair could recover ROS accumulation at the tip and improved the growth under high-pH conditions, which normally prevent ROS accumulation and tip growth. Together, these data suggest that AtABCG28 is critical for localizing polyamine and ROS at the growing tip. In addition, this function of AtABCG28 is likely to protect the pollen tube from the cytotoxicity of polyamine and contribute to the delivery of polyamine to the growing tip for incorporation into the expanding cell wall.