Spermine and spermidine inhibit or induce programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro and in vivo in a dose-dependent manner

Polyamines are ubiquitous biomolecules with a number of established functions in eukaryotic cells. In plant cells, polyamines have previously been linked to abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, as well as to the modulation of programmed cell death (PCD), with contrasting reports on their pro-PCD and pro-survival effects. Here, we used two well-established platforms for the study of plant PCD, Arabidopsis thaliana suspension cultures cells and the root hair assay, to examine the roles of the polyamines spermine and spermidine in the regulation of PCD. Using these systems for precise quantification of cell death rates, we demonstrate that both polyamines can trigger PCD when applied exogenously at higher doses, whereas at lower concentrations they inhibit PCD induced by both biotic and abiotic stimuli. Furthermore, we show that concentrations of polyamines resulting in inhibition of PCD generated a transient ROS burst in our experimental system, and activated the expression of oxidative stress- and pathogen response-associated genes. Finally, we examined PCD responses in existing Arabidopsis polyamine synthesis mutants, and identified a subtle PCD phenotype in Arabidopsis seedlings deficient in thermo-spermine. The presented data show that polyamines can have a role in PCD regulation; however, that role is dose-dependent and consequently they may act as either inhibitors, or inducers, of PCD in Arabidopsis.

A Solanum lycopersicum polyamine oxidase contributes to the control of plant growth, xylem differentiation, and drought stress tolerance

Polyamines are involved in several plant physiological processes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, five FAD-dependent polyamine oxidases (AtPAO1 to AtPAO5) contribute to polyamine homeostasis. AtPAO5 catalyzes the back-conversion of thermospermine (T-Spm) to spermidine and plays a role in plant development, xylem differentiation, and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, to verify whether T-Spm metabolism can be exploited as a new route to improve stress tolerance in crops and to investigate the underlying mechanisms, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) AtPAO5 homologs were identified (SlPAO2, SlPAO3, and SlPAO4) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss-of-function slpao3 mutants were obtained. Morphological, molecular, and physiological analyses showed that slpao3 mutants display increased T-Spm levels and exhibit changes in growth parameters, number and size of xylem elements, and expression levels of auxin- and gibberellin-related genes compared to wild-type plants. The slpao3 mutants are also characterized by improved tolerance to drought stress, which can be attributed to a diminished xylem hydraulic conductivity that limits water loss, as well as to a reduced vulnerability to embolism. Altogether, this study evidences conservation, though with some significant variations, of the T-Spm-mediated regulatory mechanisms controlling plant growth and differentiation across different plant species and highlights the T-Spm role in improving stress tolerance while not constraining growth.

Single-cell transcriptome profiling reveals the spatiotemporal distribution of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis and transposable element activity in Gynostemma pentaphyllum shoot apexes and leaves

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino is an important producer of dammarene-type triterpenoid saponins. These saponins (gypenosides) exhibit diverse pharmacological benefits such as anticancer, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects, and have major potential in the pharmaceutical and health care industries. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile the transcriptomes of more than 50,000 cells derived from G. pentaphyllum shoot apexes and leaves. Following cell clustering and annotation, we identified five major cell types in shoot apexes and four in leaves. Each cell type displayed substantial transcriptomic heterogeneity both within and between tissues. Examining gene expression patterns across various cell types revealed that gypenoside biosynthesis predominantly occurred in mesophyll cells, with heightened activity observed in shoot apexes compared to leaves. Furthermore, we explored the impact of transposable elements (TEs) on G. pentaphyllum transcriptomic landscapes. Our findings the highlighted the unbalanced expression of certain TE families across different cell types in shoot apexes and leaves, marking the first investigation of TE expression at the single-cell level in plants. Additionally, we observed dynamic expression of genes involved in gypenoside biosynthesis and specific TE families during epidermal and vascular cell development. The involvement of TE expression in regulating cell differentiation and gypenoside biosynthesis warrant further exploration. Overall, this study not only provides new insights into the spatiotemporal organization of gypenoside biosynthesis and TE activity in G. pentaphyllum shoot apexes and leaves but also offers valuable cellular and genetic resources for a deeper understanding of developmental and physiological processes at single-cell resolution in this species.

Insights into multilevel spatial regulation within the root stem cell niche

All differentiated root cells derive from stem cells spatially organized within the stem cell niche (SCN), a microenvironment located within the root tip. Here, we compiled recent advances in the understanding of how the SCN drives the establishment and maintenance of cell types. The quiescent center (QC) is widely recognized as the primary driver of cell fate determination, but it is recently considered a convergence center of multiple signals. Cell identity of the cortex endodermis initials is mainly driven by the regulatory feedback loops between transcription factors (TFs), acting as mobile signals between neighboring cells, including the QC. As exemplified in the vascular initials, the precise spatial expression of these regulatory TFs is connected with a dynamic hormonal interplay. Thus, stem cell maintenance and cell differentiation are regulated by a plethora of signals forming a complex, multilevel regulatory network. Integrating the transcriptional and post-translational regulations, protein-protein interactions, and mobile signals into models will be fundamental for the comprehensive understanding of SCN maintenance and differentiation.

TARGET OF MONOPTEROS: key transcription factors orchestrating plant development and environmental response

Plants have an incredible ability to sustain root and vascular growth after initiation of the embryonic root and the specification of vascular tissue in early embryos. Microarray assays have revealed that a group of transcription factors, TARGET OF MONOPTEROS (TMO), are important for embryonic root initiation in Arabidopsis. Despite the discovery of their auxin responsiveness early on, their function and mode of action remained unknown for many years. The advent of genome editing has accelerated the study of TMO transcription factors, revealing novel functions for biological processes such as vascular development, root system architecture, and response to environmental cues. This review covers recent achievements in understanding the developmental function and the genetic mode of action of TMO transcription factors in Arabidopsis and other plant species. We highlight the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of TMO transcription factors in relation to their function, mainly in Arabidopsis. Finally, we provide suggestions for further research and potential applications in plant genetic engineering.

Quantification of Xylem-Specific Thermospermine-Dependent Translation of SACL Transcripts with Dual Luciferase Reporter System

Thermospermine (Tspm) is a polyamine found to play a crucial role in xylem development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Tspm promotes the translation of the SACL genes by counteracting the activity of a cis element in their 5'-leader region that suppresses the translation of the main ORF. Here we describe a method to test the Tspm-dependent translational regulation of the 5'-leader of the SACL mRNAs in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and A. thaliana mesophyll protoplasts with a dual luciferase assay. The dual luciferase reporter system is used to assess gene expression and is based on the detection of the Firefly luciferase luminescence driven by a specific promoter. However, it can also be used to evaluate the cis elements found in 5'-leader that influence the translation of the main ORF in a transcript. We have used a modified version of the pGreenII 0800 LUC plasmid carrying a double 35S promoter, followed by a poly-linker sequence in phase with the Firefly luciferase gene (pGreen2x35SLUC) where the full 5'-leader sequence of SACL3 was cloned. This construct was used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens infiltration of N. benthamiana leaves and for transfection of A. thaliana mesophyll protoplasts, followed by mock or Tspm treatments. The resulting translation of the Firefly luciferase in these organisms and conditions was then tested by measuring luminescence with the dual luciferase assay and a luminometer. These experiments have allowed us to quantify the positive effect of Tspm in the translation of SACL3 transcripts.

Quantification of Tracheary Elements Types in Mature Hypocotyl of Arabidopsis thaliana

Secondary growth is a highly relevant process for dicot and gymnosperm species development. The process relies on vascular tissue proliferation and culminates with the thickening of stems, roots, and hypocotyls. The formation of tracheary elements is a critical step during this process. Among such tracheary elements, four different cell types are distinguished depending on their secondary cell wall pattern, which is exclusive for each tracheary cell type. Here we describe a method to isolate, dye, and recognize each of these tracheary cell types. The method is optimized to be performed in the Arabidopsis thaliana hypocotyl. This is because, in this species, the hypocotyl is the organ undergoing the largest proportion of secondary growth. Results allow for determining the relative amounts of each of the tracheary cell types.

Flexure wood formation via growth reprogramming in hybrid aspen involves jasmonates and polyamines and transcriptional changes resembling tension wood development

Stem bending in trees induces flexure wood but its properties and development are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of low-intensity multidirectional stem flexing on growth and wood properties of hybrid aspen, and on its transcriptomic and hormonal responses. Glasshouse-grown trees were either kept stationary or subjected to several daily shakes for 5 wk, after which the transcriptomes and hormones were analyzed in the cambial region and developing wood tissues, and the wood properties were analyzed by physical, chemical and microscopy techniques. Shaking increased primary and secondary growth and altered wood differentiation by stimulating gelatinous-fiber formation, reducing secondary wall thickness, changing matrix polysaccharides and increasing cellulose, G- and H-lignin contents, cell wall porosity and saccharification yields. Wood-forming tissues exhibited elevated jasmonate, polyamine, ethylene and brassinosteroids and reduced abscisic acid and gibberellin signaling. Transcriptional responses resembled those during tension wood formation but not opposite wood formation and revealed several thigmomorphogenesis-related genes as well as novel gene networks including FLA and XTH genes encoding plasma membrane-bound proteins. Low-intensity stem flexing stimulates growth and induces wood having improved biorefinery properties through molecular and hormonal pathways similar to thigmomorphogenesis in herbaceous plants and largely overlapping with the tension wood program of hardwoods.

Hormonal control of the molecular networks guiding vascular tissue development in the primary root meristem of Arabidopsis

Vascular tissues serve a dual function in plants, both providing physical support and controlling the transport of nutrients, water, hormones, and other small signaling molecules. Xylem tissues transport water from root to shoot; phloem tissues transfer photosynthates from shoot to root; while divisions of the (pro)cambium increase the number of xylem and phloem cells. Although vascular development constitutes a continuous process from primary growth in the early embryo and meristem regions to secondary growth in the mature plant organs, it can be artificially separated into distinct processes including cell type specification, proliferation, patterning, and differentiation. In this review, we focus on how hormonal signals orchestrate the molecular regulation of vascular development in the Arabidopsis primary root meristem. Although auxin and cytokinin have taken center stage in this aspect since their discovery, other hormones including brassinosteroids, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid also take leading roles during vascular development. All these hormonal cues synergistically or antagonistically participate in the development of vascular tissues, forming a complex hormonal control network.

Combining single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptome analysis reveals dynamic molecular maps of cambium differentiation in the primary and secondary growth of trees

Primary and secondary growth of the tree stem are responsible for corresponding increases in trunk height and diameter. However, our molecular understanding of the biological processes that underlie these two types of growth is incomplete. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing to reveal the transcriptional landscapes of primary and secondary growth tissues in the Populus stem. Comparison between the cell atlas and differentiation trajectory of primary and secondary growth revealed different regulatory networks involved in cell differentiation from cambium to xylem precursors and phloem precursors. These regulatory networks may be controlled by auxin accumulation and distribution. Analysis of cell differentiation trajectories suggested that vessel and fiber development followed a sequential pattern of progressive transcriptional regulation. This research provides new insights into the processes of cell identity and differentiation that occur throughout primary and secondary growth of tree stems, increasing our understanding of the cellular differentiation dynamics that occur during stem growth in trees.

PagERF81 regulates lignin biosynthesis and xylem cell differentiation in poplar

Lignin is a major component of plant cell walls and is essential for plant growth and development. Lignin biosynthesis is controlled by a hierarchical regulatory network involving multiple transcription factors. In this study, we showed that the gene encoding an APETALA 2/ethylene-responsive element binding factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factor, PagERF81, from poplar 84 K (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) is highly expressed in expanding secondary xylem cells. Two independent homozygous Pagerf81 mutant lines created by gene editing, produced significantly more but smaller vessel cells and longer fiber cells with more lignin in cell walls, while PagERF81 overexpression lines had less lignin, compared to non-transgenic controls. Transcriptome and reverse transcription quantitative PCR data revealed that multiple lignin biosynthesis genes including Cinnamoyl CoA reductase 1 (PagCCR1), Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 6 (PagCAD6), and 4-Coumarate-CoA ligase-like 9 (Pag4CLL9) were up-regulated in Pagerf81 mutants, but down-regulated in PagERF81 overexpression lines. In addition, a transient transactivation assay revealed that PagERF81 repressed the transcription of these three genes. Furthermore, yeast one hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that PagERF81 directly bound to a GCC sequence in the PagCCR1 promoter. No known vessel or fiber cell differentiation related genes were differentially expressed, so the smaller vessel cells and longer fiber cells observed in the Pagerf81 lines might be caused by abnormal lignin deposition in the secondary cell walls. This study provides insight into the regulation of lignin biosynthesis, and a molecular tool to engineer wood with high lignin content, which would contribute to the lignin-related chemical industry and carbon sequestration.

Plant Peroxisomal Polyamine Oxidase: A Ubiquitous Enzyme Involved in Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Polyamines (PAs) are positively charged amines that are present in all organisms. In addition to their functions specific to growth and development, they are involved in responding to various biotic and abiotic stress tolerance functions. The appropriate concentration of PA in the cell is maintained by a delicate balance between the catabolism and anabolism of PAs, which is primarily driven by two enzymes, namely diamine oxidase and polyamine oxidase (PAO). PAOs have been found to be localized in multiple subcellular locations, including peroxisomes. This paper presents a holistic account of peroxisomal PAOs. PAOs are flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent enzymes with varying degrees of substrate specificity. They are expressed differentially upon various abiotic stress conditions, namely heat, cold, salinity, and dehydration. It has also been observed that in a particular species, the various PAO isoforms are expressed differentially with a spatial and temporal distinction. PAOs are targeted to peroxisome via a peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS) type 1. We conducted an extensive bioinformatics analysis of PTS1s present in various peroxisomal PAOs and present a consensus peroxisome targeting signal present in PAOs. Furthermore, we also propose an evolutionary perspective of peroxisomal PAOs. PAOs localized in plant peroxisomes are of potential importance in abiotic stress tolerance since peroxisomes are one of the nodal centers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and an increase in ROS is a major indicator of the plant being in stress conditions; hence, in the future, PAO enzymes could be used as a key candidate for generating abiotic stress tolerant crops.

SnoRNP is essential for thermospermine-mediated development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Polyamines have been discovered for hundreds of years and once considered as a class of phytohormones. Polyamines play critical roles in a range of developmental processes. However, the molecular mechanisms of polyamine signaling pathways remain poorly understood. Here, we measured the contents of main types of polyamines, and found that endogenous level of thermospermine (T-Spm) in Arabidopsis thaliana is comparable to those of classic phytohormones and is significantly lower than those of putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm). We further found a nodule-like structure around the junction area connecting the shoot and root of the T-Spm biosynthetic mutant acl5 and obtained more than 50 suppressors of acl5nodule structure (san) through suppressor screening. An in-depth study of two san suppressors revealed that NAP57 and NOP56, core components of box H/ACA and C/D snoRNPs, were essential for T-Spm-mediated nodule-like structure formation and plant height. Furthermore, analyses of rRNA modifications showed that the overall levels of pseudouridylation and 2'-O-methylation were compromised in san1 and san2 respectively. Taken together, these results establish a strong genetic relationship between rRNA modification and T-Spm-mediated growth and development, which was previously undiscovered in all organisms.

Single-cell transcriptome atlas reveals developmental trajectories and a novel metabolic pathway of catechin esters in tea leaves

The tea plant is an economically important woody beverage crop. The unique taste of tea is evoked by certain metabolites, especially catechin esters, whereas their precise formation mechanism in different cell types remains unclear. Here, a fast protoplast isolation method was established and the transcriptional profiles of 16 977 single cells from 1st and 3rd leaves were investigated. We first identified 79 marker genes based on six isolated tissues and constructed a transcriptome atlas, mapped developmental trajectories and further delineated the distribution of different cell types during leaf differentiation and genes associated with cell fate transformation. Interestingly, eight differently expressed genes were found to co-exist at four branch points. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of certain metabolites showed cell- and development-specific characteristics. An unexpected catechin ester glycosyltransferase was characterized for the first time in plants by a gene co-expression network in mesophyll cells. Thus, the first single-cell transcriptional landscape in woody crop leave was reported and a novel metabolism pathway of catechin esters in plants was discovered.

Microtubules promote the non-cell autonomous action of microRNAs by inhibiting their cytoplasmic loading onto ARGONAUTE1 in Arabidopsis

Mobile microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as local and long-distance signals in the developmental patterning and stress responses in plants. However, mechanisms governing the non-cell autonomous activities of miRNAs remain elusive. Here, we show that mutations that disrupt microtubule dynamics are specifically defective for the non-cell autonomous actions of mobile miRNAs, including miR165/6 that is produced in the endodermis and moves to the vasculature to pattern xylem cell fates in Arabidopsis roots. We show that KTN1, a subunit of a microtubule-severing enzyme, is required in source cells to inhibit the loading of miR165/6 into ARGONUATE1 (AGO1), which is cell autonomous, to enable the miRNA to exit the cell. Microtubule disruption enhances the association of miR165/6 with AGO1 in the cytoplasm. These findings suggest that although cell-autonomous miRNAs load onto AGO1 in the nucleus, the cytoplasmic AGO1 loading of mobile miRNAs is a key step regulated by microtubules to promote the range of miRNA cell-to-cell movement.

Understanding the root xylem plasticity for designing resilient crops

Xylem is the main route for transporting water, minerals and a myriad of signalling molecules within the plant. With its onset during early embryogenesis, the development of the xylem relies on hormone gradients, the activity of unique transcription factors, the distribution of mobile microRNAs, and receptor-ligand pathways. These regulatory mechanisms are often interconnected and together contribute to the plasticity of this water-conducting tissue. Environmental stresses, such as drought and salinity, have a great impact on xylem patterning. A better understanding of how the structural properties of the xylem are regulated in normal and stress conditions will be instrumental in developing crops of the future. In addition, vascular wilt pathogens that attack the xylem are becoming increasingly problematic. Further knowledge of xylem development in response to these pathogens will bring new solutions against these diseases. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the molecular mechanisms of xylem formation that largely come from Arabidopsis research with additional insights from tomato and monocot species. We emphasize the impact of abiotic factors and pathogens on xylem plasticity and the urgent need to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the multidisciplinary approach to model xylem capacities in crops.

A single-cell Arabidopsis root atlas reveals developmental trajectories in wild-type and cell identity mutants

In all multicellular organisms, transcriptional networks orchestrate organ development. The Arabidopsis root, with its simple structure and indeterminate growth, is an ideal model for investigating the spatiotemporal transcriptional signatures underlying developmental trajectories. To map gene expression dynamics across root cell types and developmental time, we built a comprehensive, organ-scale atlas at single-cell resolution. In addition to estimating developmental progressions in pseudotime, we employed the mathematical concept of optimal transport to infer developmental trajectories and identify their underlying regulators. To demonstrate the utility of the atlas to interpret new datasets, we profiled mutants for two key transcriptional regulators at single-cell resolution, shortroot and scarecrow. We report transcriptomic and in vivo evidence for tissue trans-differentiation underlying a mixed cell identity phenotype in scarecrow. Our results support the atlas as a rich community resource for unraveling the transcriptional programs that specify and maintain cell identity to regulate spatiotemporal organ development.

A single-cell Arabidopsis root atlas reveals developmental trajectories in wild-type and cell identity mutants

In all multicellular organisms, transcriptional networks orchestrate organ development. The Arabidopsis root, with its simple structure and indeterminate growth, is an ideal model to investigate the spatiotemporal transcriptional signatures underlying developmental trajectories. To map gene expression dynamics across root cell types and developmental time, we built a comprehensive, organ-scale atlas at single cell resolution. In addition to estimating developmental progressions in pseudotime, we employed the mathematical concept of optimal transport to infer developmental trajectories and identify their underlying regulators. To demonstrate the utility of the atlas to interpret new datasets, we profiled mutants for two key transcriptional regulators at single cell resolution, shortroot and scarecrow. We report transcriptomic and in vivo evidence for tissue trans-differentiation underlying a mixed cell identity phenotype in scarecrow. Our results support the atlas as a rich community resource for unraveling the transcriptional programs that specify and maintain cell identity to regulate spatiotemporal organ development.

How do transcriptional networks regulate organ development? Using scRNA-seq, Shahan and Hsu et al. produced an Arabidopsis root atlas, revealing gradual gene expression changes underlying differentiation of cell types and candidate regulators of cell fate. The atlas enabled interpretation of smaller scRNA-seq datasets and revealed new phenotypes in developmental mutants.

Single-cell transcriptomics sheds light on the identity and metabolism of developing leaf cells

As the main photosynthetic instruments of vascular plants, leaves are crucial and complex plant organs. A strict organization of leaf mesophyll and epidermal cell layers orchestrates photosynthesis and gas exchange. In addition, water and nutrients for leaf growth are transported through the vascular tissue. To establish the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of these different leaf tissues, we performed high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of individual cells isolated from young leaves of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings grown in two different environmental conditions. The detection of approximately 19,000 different transcripts in over 1,800 high-quality leaf cells revealed 14 cell populations composing the young, differentiating leaf. Besides the cell populations comprising the core leaf tissues, we identified subpopulations with a distinct identity or metabolic activity. In addition, we proposed cell-type-specific markers for each of these populations. Finally, an intuitive web tool allows for browsing the presented dataset. Our data present insights on how the different cell populations constituting a developing leaf are connected via developmental, metabolic, or stress-related trajectories.

Genome-Wide Identification of the HD-ZIP III Subfamily in Upland Cotton Reveals the Involvement of GhHB8-5D in the Biosynthesis of Secondary Wall in Fiber and Drought Resistance

A subfamily of transcription factors known as HD-ZIP III plays distinct roles in the secondary cell wall biosynthesis, which could be attributed to the quality of cotton fiber and adaptation to drought stress. In this study, 18 HD-ZIP III genes were identified as genome wide from the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). These genes are distributed on 14 different chromosomes, and all of them have undergone segmental duplications. Numerous cis-elements were identified in the promoter regions, which are related to phytohormone responses and abiotic stresses. Expression profiling of these genes by quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR illustrated their differential spatial expression, with preferential expression in cotton fiber. Among these genes, GhHB8-5D was predicted to encode a protein that is targeted to the cell nucleus and having self-activation ability. In addition, the ectopic expression of GhHB8-5D or its synonymous mutant GhHB8-5Dm in Arabidopsis resulted in stunted plant growth, curly leaves, and twisted inflorescence stems. Microscopy examination revealed that the morphology of vascular bundles and deposition of secondary wall had substantially altered in stems, which is concomitant with the significant alteration in the transcription levels of secondary wall-related genes in these transgenic Arabidopsis. Further, ectopic expression of GhHB8-5D or GhHB8-5Dm in Arabidopsis also led to significant increase in green seedling rate and reduction in root length relative to wild type when the plants were grown under mimicked drought stress conditions. Taken together, our results may shed new light on the functional roles of GhHB8-5D that is attributable for secondary cell wall thickening in response to drought stress. Such a finding may facilitate a novel strategy for improving plant adaptations to environmental changes via regulating the biosynthesis of secondary cell wall.

Polyamine: A Potent Ameliorator for Plant Growth Response and Adaption to Abiotic Stresses Particularly the Ammonium Stress Antagonized by Urea

Polyamine(s) (PA, PAs), a sort of N-containing and polycationic compound synthesized in almost all organisms, has been recently paid considerable attention due to its multifarious actions in the potent modulation of plant growth, development, and response to abiotic/biotic stresses. PAs in cells/tissues occur mainly in free or (non- or) conjugated forms by binding to various molecules including DNA/RNA, proteins, and (membrane-)phospholipids, thus regulating diverse molecular and cellular processes as shown mostly in animals. Although many studies have reported that an increase in internal PA may be beneficial to plant growth under abiotic conditions, leading to a suggestion of improving plant stress adaption by the elevation of endogenous PA via supply or molecular engineering of its biosynthesis, such achievements focus mainly on PA homeostasis/metabolism rather than PA-mediated molecular/cellular signaling cascades. In this study, to advance our understanding of PA biological actions important for plant stress acclimation, we gathered some significant research data to succinctly describe and discuss, in general, PA synthesis/catabolism, as well as PA as an internal ameliorator to regulate stress adaptions. Particularly, for the recently uncovered phenomenon of urea-antagonized NH₄ ⁺-stress, from a molecular and physiological perspective, we rationally proposed the possibility of the existence of PA-facilitated signal transduction pathways in plant tolerance to NH₄ ⁺-stress. This may be a more interesting issue for in-depth understanding of PA-involved growth acclimation to miscellaneous stresses in future studies.

Pseudomonas fluorescens DN16 Enhances Cucumber Defense Responses Against the Necrotrophic Pathogen Botrytis cinerea by Regulating Thermospermine Catabolism

Plants can naturally interact with beneficial rhizobacteria to mediate defense responses against foliar pathogen infection. However, the mechanisms of rhizobacteria-mediated defense enhancement remain rarely clear. In this study, beneficial rhizobacterial strain Pseudomonas fluorescens DN16 greatly increased the resistance of cucumber plants against Botrytis cinerea infection. RNA-sequencing analyses showed that several polyamine-associated genes including a thermospermine (TSpm) synthase gene (CsACL5) and polyamine catabolic genes (CsPAO1, CsPAO5, and CsCuAO1) were notably induced by DN16. The associations of TSpm metabolic pathways with the DN16-mediated cucumber defense responses were further investigated. The inoculated plants exhibited the increased leaf TSpm levels compared with the controls. Accordantly, overexpression of CsACL5 in cucumber plants markedly increased leaf TSpm levels and enhanced defense against B. cinerea infection. The functions of TSpm catabolism in the DN16-mediated defense responses of cucumber plants to B. cinerea were further investigated by pharmacological approaches. Upon exposure to pathogen infection, the changes of leaf TSpm levels were positively related to the enhanced activities of polyamine catabolic enzymes including polyamine oxidases (PAOs) and copper amine oxidases (CuAOs), which paralleled the transcription of several defense-related genes such as pathogenesis-related protein 1 (CsPR1) and defensin-like protein 1 (CsDLP1). However, the inhibited activities of polyamine catabolic enzymes abolished the DN16-induced cucumber defense against B. cinerea infection. This was in line with the impaired expression of defense-related genes in the inoculated plants challenged by B. cinerea. Collectively, our findings unraveled a pivotal role of TSpm catabolism in the regulation of the rhizobacteria-primed defense states by mediating the immune responses in cucumber plants after B. cinerea infection.

ACAULIS5 Is Required for Cytokinin Accumulation and Function During Secondary Growth of Populus Trees

In the primary root and young hypocotyl of Arabidopsis, ACAULIS5 promotes translation of SUPPRESSOR OF ACAULIS51 (SAC51) and thereby inhibits cytokinin biosynthesis and vascular cell division. In this study, the relationships between ACAULIS5, SAC51 and cytokinin biosynthesis were investigated during secondary growth of Populus stems. Overexpression of ACAULIS5 from the constitutive 35S promoter in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides) trees suppressed the expression level of ACAULIS5, which resulted in low levels of the physiologically active cytokinin bases as well as their direct riboside precursors in the transgenic lines. Low ACAULIS5 expression and low cytokinin levels of the transgenic trees coincided with low cambial activity of the stem. ACAULIS5 therefore, contrary to its function in young seedlings in Arabidopsis, stimulates cytokinin accumulation and cambial activity during secondary growth of the stem. This function is not derived from maturing secondary xylem tissues as transgenic suppression of ACAULIS5 levels in these tissues did not influence secondary growth. Interestingly, evidence was obtained for increased activity of the anticlinal division of the cambial initials under conditions of low ACAULIS5 expression and low cytokinin accumulation. We propose that ACAULIS5 integrates auxin and cytokinin signaling to promote extensive secondary growth of tree stems.

Plant vascular development: mechanisms and environmental regulation

Plant vascular development is a complex process culminating in the generation of xylem and phloem, the plant transporting conduits. Xylem and phloem arise from specialized stem cells collectively termed (pro)cambium. Once developed, xylem transports mainly water and mineral nutrients and phloem transports photoassimilates and signaling molecules. In the past few years, major advances have been made to characterize the molecular, genetic and physiological aspects that govern vascular development. However, less is known about how the environment re-shapes the process, which molecular mechanisms link environmental inputs with developmental outputs, which gene regulatory networks facilitate the genetic adaptation of vascular development to environmental niches, or how the first vascular cells appeared as an evolutionary innovation. In this review, we (1) summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms involved in vascular development, focusing on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, (2) describe the anatomical effect of specific environmental factors on the process, (3) speculate about the main entry points through which the molecular mechanisms controlling of the process might be altered by specific environmental factors, and (4) discuss future research which could identify the genetic factors underlying phenotypic plasticity of vascular development.

Lipid kinases PIP5K7 and PIP5K9 are required for polyamine-triggered K+ efflux in Arabidopsis roots

Polyamines, such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine (Spm), are low-molecular-weight polycationic molecules present in all living organisms. Despite their implication in plant cellular processes, little is known about their molecular mode of action. Here, we demonstrate that polyamines trigger a rapid increase in the regulatory membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂ ), and that this increase is required for polyamine effects on K⁺ efflux in Arabidopsis roots. Using in vivo ³² P_i -labelling of Arabidopsis seedlings, low physiological (μm) concentrations of Spm were found to promote a rapid PIP₂ increase in roots that was time- and dose-dependent. Confocal imaging of a genetically encoded PIP₂ biosensor revealed that this increase was triggered at the plasma membrane. Differential ³² P_i -labelling suggested that the increase in PIP₂ was generated through activation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) activity rather than inhibition of a phospholipase C or PIP₂ 5-phosphatase activity. Systematic analysis of transfer DNA insertion mutants identified PIP5K7 and PIP5K9 as the main candidates involved in the Spm-induced PIP₂ response. Using non-invasive microelectrode ion flux estimation, we discovered that the Spm-triggered K⁺ efflux response was strongly reduced in pip5k7 pip5k9 seedlings. Together, our results provide biochemical and genetic evidence for a physiological role of PIP₂ in polyamine-mediated signalling controlling K⁺ flux in plants.

Vascular transcription factors guide plant epidermal responses to limiting phosphate conditions

Optimal plant growth is hampered by deficiency of the essential macronutrient phosphate in most soils. Plant roots can, however, increase their root hair density to efficiently forage the soil for this immobile nutrient. By generating and exploiting a high-resolution single-cell gene expression atlas of Arabidopsis roots, we show an enrichment of TARGET OF MONOPTEROS 5/LONESOME HIGHWAY (TMO5/LHW) target gene responses in root hair cells. The TMO5/LHW heterodimer triggers biosynthesis of mobile cytokinin in vascular cells and increases root hair density during low-phosphate conditions by modifying both the length and cell fate of epidermal cells. Moreover, root hair responses in phosphate-deprived conditions are TMO5- and cytokinin-dependent. Cytokinin signaling links root hair responses in the epidermis to perception of phosphate depletion in vascular cells.

Identification of Conserved Gene-Regulatory Networks that Integrate Environmental Sensing and Growth in the Root Cambium

Cambium drives the lateral growth of stems and roots, contributing to diverse plant growth forms. The root crop is one of the outstanding examples of the cambium-driven growth. To understand its molecular basis, we used radish to generate a compendium of root-tissue- and stage-specific transcriptomes from two contrasting inbred lines during root growth. Expression patterns of key cambium regulators and hormone signaling components were validated. Clustering and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses of radish datasets followed by a comparative analysis against the newly established Arabidopsis early cambium data revealed evolutionary conserved stress-response transcription factors that may intimately control the cambium. Indeed, an in vivo network consisting of selected stress-response and cambium regulators indicated ERF-1 as a potential key checkpoint of cambial activities, explaining how cambium-driven growth is altered in response to environmental changes. The findings here provide valuable information about dynamic gene expression changes during cambium-driven root growth and have implications with regard to future engineering schemes, leading to better crop yields.

Coping With Water Limitation: Hormones That Modify Plant Root Xylem Development

Periods of drought, that threaten crop production, are expected to become more prominent in large parts of the world, making it necessary to explore all aspects of plant growth and development, to breed, modify and select crops adapted to such conditions. One such aspect is the xylem, where influencing the size and number of the water-transporting xylem vessels, may impact on hydraulic conductance and drought tolerance. Here, we focus on how plants adjust their root xylem as a response to reduced water availability. While xylem response has been observed in a wide array of species, most of our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying xylem plasticity comes from studies on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. When grown under water limiting conditions, Arabidopsis rapidly adjusts its development to produce more xylem strands with altered identity in an abscisic acid (ABA) dependent manner. Other hormones such as auxin and cytokinin are essential for vascular patterning and differentiation. Their balance can be perturbed by stress, as evidenced by the effects of enhanced jasmonic acid signaling, which results in similar xylem developmental alterations as enhanced ABA signaling. Furthermore, brassinosteroids and other signaling molecules involved in drought tolerance can also impact xylem development. Hence, a multitude of signals affect root xylem properties and, potentially, influence survival under water limiting conditions. Here, we review the likely entangled signals that govern root vascular development, and discuss the importance of taking root anatomical traits into account when breeding crops for enhanced resilience toward changes in water availability.

Molecular Changes Concomitant with Vascular System Development in Mature Galls Induced by Root-Knot Nematodes in the Model Tree Host Populus tremula × P. alba

One of the most striking features occurring in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita induced galls is the reorganization of the vascular tissues. During the interaction of the model tree species Populus and M. incognita, a pronounced xylem proliferation was previously described in mature galls. To better characterise changes in expression of genes possibly involved in the induction and the formation of the de novo developed vascular tissues occurring in poplar galls, a comparative transcript profiling of 21-day-old galls versus uninfected root of poplar was performed. Genes coding for transcription factors associated with procambium maintenance and vascular differentiation were shown to be differentially regulated, together with genes partaking in phytohormones biosynthesis and signalling. Specific signatures of transcripts associated to primary cell wall biosynthesis and remodelling, as well as secondary cell wall formation (cellulose, xylan and lignin) were revealed in the galls. Ultimately, we show that molecules derived from the monolignol and salicylic acid pathways and related to secondary cell wall deposition accumulate in mature galls.

Thermospermine Synthase (ACL5) and Diamine Oxidase (DAO) Expression Is Needed for Zygotic Embryogenesis and Vascular Development in Scots Pine

Unlike in flowering plants, the detailed roles of the enzymes in the polyamine (PA) pathway in conifers are poorly known. We explored the sequence conservation of the PA biosynthetic genes and diamine oxidase (DAO) in conifers and flowering plants to reveal the potential functional diversification of the enzymes between the plant lineages. The expression of the genes showing different selective constraints was studied in Scots pine zygotic embryogenesis and early seedling development. We found that the arginine decarboxylase pathway is strongly preferred in putrescine production in the Scots pine as well as generally in conifers and that the reduced use of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) has led to relaxed purifying selection in ODC genes. Thermospermine synthase (ACL5) genes evolve under strong purifying selection in conifers and the DAO gene is also highly conserved in pines. In developing Scots pine seeds, the expression of both ACL5 and DAO increased as embryogenesis proceeded. Strong ACL5 expression was present in the procambial cells of the embryo and in the megagametophyte cells destined to die via morphologically necrotic cell death. Thus, the high sequence conservation of ACL5 genes in conifers may indicate the necessity of ACL5 for both embryogenesis and vascular development. Moreover, the result suggests the involvement of ACL5 in morphologically necrotic cell death and supports the view of the genetic regulation of necrosis in Scots pine embryogenesis and in plant development. DAO transcripts were located close to the cell walls and between the walls of adjacent cells in Scots pine zygotic embryos and in the roots of young seedlings. We propose that DAO, in addition to the role in Put oxidation for providing H2O2 during the cell-wall structural processes, may also participate in cell-to-cell communication at the mRNA level. To conclude, our findings indicate that the PA pathway of Scots pines possesses several special functional characteristics which differ from those of flowering plants.

An AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF139 coordinates xylem cell expansion and secondary cell wall deposition

Differentiation of xylem elements involves cell expansion, secondary cell wall (SCW) deposition and programmed cell death. Transitions between these phases require strict spatiotemporal control. The function of Populus ERF139 (Potri.013G101100) in xylem differentiation was characterized in transgenic overexpression and dominant repressor lines of ERF139 in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides). Xylem properties, SCW chemistry and downstream targets were analyzed in both types of transgenic trees using microscopy techniques, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, pyrolysis-GC/MS, wet chemistry methods and RNA sequencing. Opposite phenotypes were observed in the secondary xylem vessel sizes and SCW chemistry in the two different types of transgenic trees, supporting the function of ERF139 in suppressing the radial expansion of vessel elements and stimulating accumulation of guaiacyl-type lignin and possibly also xylan. Comparative transcriptomics identified genes related to SCW biosynthesis (LAC5, LBD15, MYB86) and salt and drought stress-responsive genes (ANAC002, ABA1) as potential direct targets of ERF139. The phenotypes of the transgenic trees and the stem expression profiles of ERF139 potential target genes support the role of ERF139 as a transcriptional regulator of xylem cell expansion and SCW formation, possibly in response to osmotic changes of the cells.

Salt hypersensitivity is associated with excessive xylem development in a thermospermine-deficient mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

In Arabidopsis, spermine is produced in most tissues and has been implicated in stress response, while its structural isomer thermospermine is only in xylem precursor cells. Studies on acaulis5 (acl5), a mutant defective in the biosynthesis of thermospermine, have revealed that thermospermine plays a repressive role in xylem development through enhancement of mRNA translation of the SAC51 family. In contrast, the pao5 mutant defective in the degradation of thermospermine has high levels of thermospermine and shows increased salt tolerance, suggesting a role of thermospermine in salt stress response. Here we compared acl5 with a mutant of spermine synthase, spms, in terms of abiotic stress tolerance and found that acl5 was much more sensitive to sodium than the wild-type and spms. A double-mutant of acl5 and sac51-d, which suppresses the excessive xylem phenotype of acl5, recovered normal sensitivity, while a quadruple T-DNA insertion mutant of the SAC51 family, which has an increased thermospermine level but shows excessive xylem development, showed increased salt sensitivity, unlike pao5. Together with the result that the salt tolerance of both wild-type and acl5 seedlings was improved by long-term treatment with thermospermine, we suggest a correlation of the salt tolerance with reduced xylem development rather than with the thermospermine level. We further found that the mutants containing high thermospermine levels showed increased tolerance to drought and heat stress, suggesting another role of thermospermine that may be common with that of spermine and secondary to that in restricting excess xylem development associated with salt hypersensitivity.

Effect of Thermospermine on the Growth and Expression of Polyamine-Related Genes in Rice Seedlings

A mutant defective in the biosynthesis of thermospermine, acaulis5 (acl5), shows a dwarf phenotype with excess xylem vessels in Arabidopsis thaliana. Exogenous supply of thermospermine remarkably represses xylem differentiation in the root of seedlings, indicating the role of thermospermine in proper repression of xylem differentiation. However, the effect of thermospermine has rarely been investigated in other plant species. In this paper, we examined its effect on the growth and gene expression in rice seedlings. When grown with thermospermine, rice seedlings had no clearly enlarged metaxylem vessels in the root. Expression of OsACL5 was reduced in response to thermospermine, suggesting a negative feedback control of thermospermine biosynthesis like in Arabidopsis. Unlike Arabidopsis, however, rice showed up-regulation of phloem-expressed genes, OsHB5 and OsYSL16, by one-day treatment with thermospermine. Furthermore, expression of OsPAO2 and OsPAO6, encoding extracellular polyamine oxidase whose orthologs are not present in Arabidopsis, was induced by both thermospermine and spermine. These results suggest that thermospermine affects the expression of a subset of genes in rice different from those affected in Arabidopsis.

Cell wall composition and transcriptomics in stem tissues of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): Spotlight on a neglected fibre crop

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) produces silky cellulosic fibres, as well as bioactive molecules. To improve the knowledge on nettle and enhance its opportunities of exploitation, a draft transcriptome of the "clone 13" (a fibre clone) is here presented. The transcriptome of whole internodes sampled at the top and middle of the stem is then compared with the core and cortical tissues sampled at the bottom. Young internodes show an enrichment in genes involved in the biosynthesis of phytohormones (auxins and jasmonic acid) and secondary metabolites (flavonoids). The core of internodes collected at the bottom of the stem is enriched in genes partaking in different aspects of secondary cell wall formation (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin biosynthesis), while the cortical tissues reveal the presence of a C starvation signal probably due to the UDP-glucose demand necessary for the thickening phase of bast fibres. Cell wall analysis indicates a difference in rhamnogalacturonan structure/composition of mature bast fibres, as evidenced by the higher levels of galactose measured, as well as the occurrence of more water-soluble pectins in elongating internodes. The targeted quantification of phenolics shows that the middle internode and the cortical tissues at the bottom have higher contents than top internodes. Ultrastructural analyses reveal the presence of a gelatinous layer in bast fibres with a lamellar structure. The data presented will be an important resource and reference for future molecular studies on a neglected fibre crop.

Conservation of Thermospermine Synthase Activity in Vascular and Non-vascular Plants

In plants, the only confirmed function for thermospermine is regulating xylem cells maturation. However, genes putatively encoding thermospermine synthases have been identified in the genomes of both vascular and non-vascular plants. Here, we verify the activity of the thermospermine synthase genes and the presence of thermospermine in vascular and non-vascular land plants as well as in the aquatic plant Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In addition, we provide information about differential content of thermospermine in diverse organs at different developmental stages in some vascular species that suggest that, although the major role of thermospermine in vascular plants is likely to be xylem development, other potential roles in development and/or responses to stress conditions could be associated to such polyamine. In summary, our results in vascular and non-vascular species indicate that the capacity to synthesize thermospermine is conserved throughout the entire plant kingdom.

Polyamines as Quality Control Metabolites Operating at the Post-Transcriptional Level

Plant polyamines (PAs) have been assigned a large number of physiological functions with unknown molecular mechanisms in many cases. Among the most abundant and studied polyamines, two of them, namely spermidine (Spd) and thermospermine (Tspm), share some molecular functions related to quality control pathways for tightly regulated mRNAs at the level of translation. In this review, we focus on the roles of Tspm and Spd to facilitate the translation of mRNAs containing upstream ORFs (uORFs), premature stop codons, and ribosome stalling sequences that may block translation, thus preventing their degradation by quality control mechanisms such as the nonsense-mediated decay pathway and possible interactions with other mRNA quality surveillance pathways.

Xylem Cell Wall Formation in Pioneer Roots and Stems of Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray)

Regulation of gene expression, as determined by the genetics of the tree species, is a major factor in determining wood quality. Therefore, the identification of genes that play a role in xylogenesis is extremely important for understanding the mechanisms shaping the plant phenotype. Efforts to develop new varieties characterized by higher yield and better wood quality will greatly benefit from recognizing and understanding the complex transcriptional network underlying wood development. The present study provides a detailed comparative description of the changes that occur in genes transcription and the biosynthesis of cell-wall-related compounds during xylogenesis in Populus trichocarpa pioneer roots and stems. Even though results of microarray analysis indicated that only approximately 10% of the differentially expressed genes were common to both organs, many fundamental mechanisms were similar; e.g. the pattern of expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall proteins, polysaccharides, and lignins. Gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) shows that the composition of monosaccharides was also very similar, with an increasing amount of xylose building secondary cell wall hemicellulose and pectins, especially in the stems. While hemicellulose degradation was typical for stems, possibly due to the intensive level of cell wall lignification. Notably, the main component of lignins in roots were guiacyl units, while syringyl units were dominant in stems, where fibers are especially needed for support. Our study is the first comprehensive analysis, at the structural and molecular level, of xylogenesis in under- and aboveground tree parts, and clearly reveals the great complexity of molecular mechanisms underlying cell wall formation and modification during xylogenesis in different plant organs.

Polyamines in Microalgae: Something Borrowed, Something New

Microalgae of different evolutionary origins are typically found in rivers, lakes, and oceans, providing more than 45% of global primary production. They provide not only a food source for animals, but also affect microbial ecosystems through symbioses with microorganisms or secretion of some metabolites. Derived from amino acids, polyamines are present in almost all types of organisms, where they play important roles in maintaining physiological functions or against stress. Microalgae can produce a variety of distinct polyamines, and the polyamine content is important to meet the physiological needs of microalgae and may also affect other species in the environment. In addition, some polyamines produced by microalgae have medical or nanotechnological applications. Previous studies on several types of microalgae have indicated that the putative polyamine metabolic pathways may be as complicated as the genomes of these organisms, which contain genes originating from plants, animals, and even bacteria. There are also several novel polyamine synthetic routes in microalgae. Understanding the nature of polyamines in microalgae will not only improve our knowledge of microalgal physiology and ecological function, but also provide valuable information for biotechnological applications.

Plant Vascular Tissues-Connecting Tissue Comes in All Shapes

For centuries, humans have grown and used structures based on vascular tissues in plants. One could imagine that life would have developed differently without wood as a resource for building material, paper, heating energy, or fuel and without edible tubers as a food source. In this review, we will summarise the status of research on Arabidopsis thaliana vascular development and subsequently focus on how this knowledge has been applied and expanded in research on the wood of trees and storage organs of crop plants. We will conclude with an outlook on interesting open questions and exciting new research opportunities in this growing and important field.

Stress-Triggered Long-Distance Communication Leads to Phenotypic Plasticity: The Case of the Early Root Protoxylem Maturation Induced by Leaf Wounding in Arabidopsis

Root architecture and xylem phenotypic plasticity influence crop productivity by affecting water and nutrient uptake, especially under those environmental stress, which limit water supply or imply excessive water losses. Xylem maturation depends on coordinated events of cell wall lignification and developmental programmed cell death (PCD), which could both be triggered by developmental- and/or stress-driven hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production. Here, the effect of wounding of the cotyledonary leaf on root protoxylem maturation was explored in Arabidopsis thaliana by analysis under Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM). Leaf wounding induced early root protoxylem maturation within 3 days from the injury, as after this time protoxylem position was found closer to the tip. The effect of leaf wounding on protoxylem maturation was independent from root growth or meristem size, that did not change after wounding. A strong H₂O₂ accumulation was detected in root protoxylem 6 h after leaf wounding. Furthermore, the H₂O₂ trap N,N¹-dimethylthiourea (DMTU) reversed wound-induced early protoxylem maturation, confirming the need for H₂O₂ production in this signaling pathway.

Scots pine aminopropyltransferases shed new light on evolution of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in seed plants

Background and Aims

Polyamines are small metabolites present in all living cells and play fundamental roles in numerous physiological events in plants. The aminopropyltransferases (APTs), spermidine synthase (SPDS), spermine synthase (SPMS) and thermospermine synthase (ACL5), are essential enzymes in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. In angiosperms, SPMS has evolved from SPDS via gene duplication, whereas in gymnosperms APTs are mostly unexplored and no SPMS gene has been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the functional properties of the SPDS and ACL5 proteins of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in order to elucidate the role and evolution of APTs in higher plants.

Methods

Germinating Scots pine seeds and seedlings were analysed for polyamines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the expression of PsSPDS and PsACL5 genes by in situ hybridization. Recombinant proteins of PsSPDS and PsACL5 were produced and investigated for functional properties. Also gene structures, promoter regions and phylogenetic relationships of PsSPDS and PsACL5 genes were analysed.

Key Results

Scots pine tissues were found to contain spermidine, spermine and thermospermine. PsSPDS enzyme catalysed synthesis of both spermidine and spermine. PsACL5 was found to produce thermospermine, and PsACL5 gene expression was localized in the developing procambium in embryos and tracheary elements in seedlings.

Conclusions

Contrary to previous views, our results demonstrate that SPMS activity is not a novel feature developed solely in the angiosperm lineage of seed plants but also exists as a secondary property in the Scots pine SPDS enzyme. The discovery of bifunctional SPDS from an evolutionarily old conifer reveals the missing link in the evolution of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. The finding emphasizes the importance of pre-existing secondary functions in the evolution of new enzyme activities via gene duplication. Our results also associate PsACL5 with the development of vascular structures in Scots pine.

North, East, South, West: mapping vascular tissues onto the Arabidopsis root

The Arabidopsis root has provided an excellent model for understanding patterning processes and cell fate specification. Vascular patterning represents an especially interesting process, as new positional information must be generated to transform an approximately radially symmetric root pole into a bisymmetric structure with a single xylem axis. This process requires both growth of the embryonic tissue alongside the subsequent patterning. Recently researchers have identified a series of transcription factors that modulate cell divisions to control vascular tissues growth. Spatial regulation in the signalling of two hormones, auxin and cytokinin, combine with other transcription factors to pattern the xylem axis. We are now witnessing the discovery of increasingly complex interactions between these hormones that can be interpreted through the use of mathematical models.

Thermospermine: An Evolutionarily Ancient but Functionally New Compound in Plants

Themospermine is a structural isomer of spermine and is present in some bacteria and most of plants. An Arabidopsis mutant, acaulis5 (acl5), that is defective in the biosynthesis of thermospermine displays excessive proliferation of xylem vessels with dwarfed growth. Recent studies using acl5 and its suppressor mutants that recover the growth without thermospermine have revealed that thermospermine plays a key role in the negative control of the proliferation of xylem vessels through enhancing translation of specific mRNAs that contain a conserved upstream open-reading-frame (uORF) in the 5' leader region.

Characterization of the Transcriptome and Gene Expression of Tetraploid Black Locust Cuttings in Response to Etiolation

Etiolation (a process of growing plants in partial or complete absence of light) promotes adventitious root formation in tetraploid black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) cuttings. We investigated the mechanism underlying how etiolation treatment promotes adventitious root formation in tetraploid black locust and assessed global transcriptional changes after etiolation treatment. Solexa paired-end sequencing of complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from control (non-etiolated, NE) and etiolated (E) samples resulted in 107,564 unigenes. In total, 52,590 transcripts were annotated and 474 transcripts (211 upregulated and 263 downregulated) potentially involved in etiolation were differentially regulated. These genes were associated with hormone metabolism and response, photosynthesis, signaling pathways, and starch and sucrose metabolism. In addition, we also found significant differences of phytohormone contents, activity of following enzymes i.e., peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and indole acetic acid oxidase between NE and E tissues during some cottage periods. The genes responsive to etiolation stimulus identified in this study will provide the base for further understanding how etiolation triggers adventitious roots formation in tetraploid black locus.

Secondary growth as a determinant of plant shape and form

Plants are the primary producers of biomass on earth. As an almost stereotypic feature, higher plants generate continuously growing bodies mediated by the activity of different groups of stem cells, the meristems. Shoot and root thickening is one of the fundamental growth processes determining form and function of these bodies. Mediated by a group of cylindrical meristems located below organ surfaces, vascular and protective tissues are continuously generated in a highly plastic manner, a competence essential for the survival in an ever changing environment. Acknowledging the fundamental role of this process, which is overall designated as secondary growth, we discuss in this review our current knowledge about the evolution and molecular regulation of the vascular cambium. The cambium is the meristem responsible for the formation of wood and bast, the two types of vascular tissues important for long-distance transport of water and assimilates, respectively. Although regulatory patterns are only beginning to emerge, we show that cambium activity represents a highly rewarding model for studying cell fate decisions, tissue patterning and differentiation, which has experienced an outstanding phylogenetic diversification.

Xylogenesis in zinnia (Zinnia elegans) cell cultures: unravelling the regulatory steps in a complex developmental programmed cell death event

MAIN CONCLUSION

Physiological and molecular studies support the view that xylogenesis can largely be determined as a specific form of vacuolar programmed cell death (PCD). The studies in xylogenic zinnia cell culture have led to many breakthroughs in xylogenesis research and provided a background for investigations in other experimental models in vitro and in planta . This review discusses the most essential earlier and recent findings on the regulation of xylem elements differentiation and PCD in zinnia and other xylogenic systems. Xylogenesis (the formation of water conducting vascular tissue) is a paradigm of plant developmental PCD. The xylem vessels are composed of fused tracheary elements (TEs)-dead, hollow cells with patterned lignified secondary cell walls. They result from the differentiation of the procambium and cambium cells and undergo cell death to become functional post-mortem. The TE differentiation proceeds through a well-coordinated sequence of events in which differentiation and the programmed cellular demise are intimately connected. For years a classical experimental model for studies on xylogenesis was the xylogenic zinnia (Zinnia elegans) cell culture derived from leaf mesophyll cells that, upon induction by cytokinin and auxin, transdifferentiate into TEs. This cell system has been proven very efficient for investigations on the regulatory components of xylem differentiation which has led to many discoveries on the mechanisms of xylogenesis. The knowledge gained from this system has potentiated studies in other xylogenic cultures in vitro and in planta. The present review summarises the previous and latest findings on the hormonal and biochemical signalling, metabolic pathways and molecular and gene determinants underlying the regulation of xylem vessels differentiation in zinnia cell culture. Highlighted are breakthroughs achieved through the use of xylogenic systems from other species and newly introduced tools and analytical approaches to study the processes. The mutual dependence between PCD signalling and the differentiation cascade in the program of TE development is discussed.

Differentiation of conductive cells: a matter of life and death

Two major conducting tissues in plants, phloem and xylem, are composed of highly specialized cell types adapted to long distance transport. Sieve elements (SEs) in the phloem display a thick cell wall, callose-rich sieve plates and low cytoplasmic density. SE differentiation is driven by selective autolysis combined with enucleation, after which the plasma membrane and some organelles are retained. By contrast, differentiation of xylem tracheary elements (TEs) involves complete clearance of the cellular components by programmed cell death followed by autolysis of the protoplast; this is accompanied by extensive deposition of lignin and cellulose in the cell wall. Emerging molecular data on TE and SE differentiation indicate a central role for NAC and MYB type transcription factors in both processes.

The Arabidopsis polyamine oxidase/dehydrogenase 5 interferes with cytokinin and auxin signaling pathways to control xylem differentiation

In plants, the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, spermine (Spm), and thermospermine (Therm-Spm) participate in several physiological processes. In particular, Therm-Spm is involved in the control of xylem differentiation, having an auxin antagonizing effect. Polyamine oxidases (PAOs) are FAD-dependent enzymes involved in polyamine catabolism. In Arabidopsis, five PAOs are present, among which AtPAO5 catalyzes the back-conversion of Spm, Therm-Spm, and N1-acetyl-Spm to spermidine. In the present study, it is shown that two loss-of-function atpao5 mutants and a 35S::AtPAO5 Arabidopsis transgenic line present phenotypical differences from the wild-type plants with regard to stem and root elongation, differences that are accompanied by changes in polyamine levels and the number of xylem vessels. It is additionally shown that cytokinin treatment, which up-regulates AtPAO5 expression in roots, differentially affects protoxylem differentiation in 35S::AtPAO5, atpao5, and wild-type roots. Together with these findings, Therm-Spm biosynthetic genes, as well as auxin-, xylem-, and cytokinin-related genes (such as ACL5, SAMDC4, PIN1, PIN6, VND6, VND7, ATHB8, PHB, CNA, PXY, XTH3, XCP1, and AHP6) are shown to be differentially expressed in the various genotypes. These data suggest that AtPAO5, being involved in the control of Therm-Spm homeostasis, participates in the tightly controlled interplay between auxin and cytokinins that is necessary for proper xylem differentiation.