Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis
Developmental fate decisions in cell populations fundamentally depend on at least two parameters: a signal that is perceived by the cell and the intrinsic ability of the cell to respond to the signal. The same regulatory logic holds for phase transitions in the lifecycle of an organism, for example...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2011-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2011.00060/full |
| _version_ | 1818202290543132672 |
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| author | Doris eWagner Elliot eMeyerowitz |
| author_facet | Doris eWagner Elliot eMeyerowitz |
| author_sort | Doris eWagner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Developmental fate decisions in cell populations fundamentally depend on at least two parameters: a signal that is perceived by the cell and the intrinsic ability of the cell to respond to the signal. The same regulatory logic holds for phase transitions in the lifecycle of an organism, for example the switch to reproductive development in flowering plants. Here we have tested the response of the monocarpic plant species Arabidopsis thaliana to a signal that directs flower formation, the plant specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY). Using transient steroid-dependent LEAFY (LFY) activation in lfy null mutant Arabidopsis plants, we show that the plant’s competence to respond to the LFY signal changes during development. Very early in the life cycle, the plant is not competent to respond to the signal. Subsequently, transient LFY activation can direct primordia at the flanks of the shoot apical meristem to adopt a floral fate. Finally, the plants acquire competence to initiate the flower-patterning program in response to transient LFY activation. Similar to a perennial life strategy, we did not observe reprogramming of all primordia after perception of the transient signal, instead only a small number of meristems responded, followed by reversion to the prior developmental program. The ability to initiate flower formation and to direct flower patterning in response to transient LFY upregulation was dependent on the known direct LFY target APETALA1 (AP1). Prolonged LFY or activation could alter the developmental gradient and bypass the requirement for AP1. Prolonged high AP1 levels, in turn, can also alter the plants’ competence. Our findings shed light on how plants can fine-tune important phase transitions and developmental responses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T03:07:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1e73ae064b6b4ea4862e22a0c1fe2d1a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T03:07:06Z |
| publishDate | 2011-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-1e73ae064b6b4ea4862e22a0c1fe2d1a2022-12-22T00:40:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2011-10-01210.3389/fpls.2011.0006015226Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in ArabidopsisDoris eWagner0Elliot eMeyerowitz1University of PennsylvaniaCalifornia Institute of TechnologyDevelopmental fate decisions in cell populations fundamentally depend on at least two parameters: a signal that is perceived by the cell and the intrinsic ability of the cell to respond to the signal. The same regulatory logic holds for phase transitions in the lifecycle of an organism, for example the switch to reproductive development in flowering plants. Here we have tested the response of the monocarpic plant species Arabidopsis thaliana to a signal that directs flower formation, the plant specific transcription factor LEAFY (LFY). Using transient steroid-dependent LEAFY (LFY) activation in lfy null mutant Arabidopsis plants, we show that the plant’s competence to respond to the LFY signal changes during development. Very early in the life cycle, the plant is not competent to respond to the signal. Subsequently, transient LFY activation can direct primordia at the flanks of the shoot apical meristem to adopt a floral fate. Finally, the plants acquire competence to initiate the flower-patterning program in response to transient LFY activation. Similar to a perennial life strategy, we did not observe reprogramming of all primordia after perception of the transient signal, instead only a small number of meristems responded, followed by reversion to the prior developmental program. The ability to initiate flower formation and to direct flower patterning in response to transient LFY upregulation was dependent on the known direct LFY target APETALA1 (AP1). Prolonged LFY or activation could alter the developmental gradient and bypass the requirement for AP1. Prolonged high AP1 levels, in turn, can also alter the plants’ competence. Our findings shed light on how plants can fine-tune important phase transitions and developmental responses.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2011.00060/fullflower developmentLEAFYreproductive competence |
| spellingShingle | Doris eWagner Elliot eMeyerowitz Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis Frontiers in Plant Science flower development LEAFY reproductive competence |
| title | Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis |
| title_full | Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis |
| title_fullStr | Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis |
| title_short | Switching on flowers: transient LEAFY induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in Arabidopsis |
| title_sort | switching on flowers transient leafy induction reveals novel aspects of the regulation of reproductive development in arabidopsis |
| topic | flower development LEAFY reproductive competence |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpls.2011.00060/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dorisewagner switchingonflowerstransientleafyinductionrevealsnovelaspectsoftheregulationofreproductivedevelopmentinarabidopsis AT elliotemeyerowitz switchingonflowerstransientleafyinductionrevealsnovelaspectsoftheregulationofreproductivedevelopmentinarabidopsis |