Gametophytic epigenetic regulators, MEDEA and DEMETER, synergistically suppress ectopic shoot formation in Arabidopsis.

The gametophytic epigenetic regulators, MEA and DME, extend their synergistic role to the sporophytic development by regulating the meristematic activity via restricting the gene expression in the shoot apex. The gametophyte-to-sporophyte transition facilitates the alternation of generations in a plant life cycle. The epigenetic regulators DEMETER (DME) and MEDEA (MEA) synergistically control central cell proliferation and differentiation, ensuring proper gametophyte-to-sporophyte transition in Arabidopsis.

Protocol for real-time imaging, polar protein quantification, and targeted laser ablation of regenerating shoot progenitors in Arabidopsis.

Here, we provide a protocol for real-time tracking of regenerating shoot progenitors, combined with polar protein quantification and targeted laser ablation of callus cells in Arabidopsis. Using Arabidopsis strains expressing GFP-labeled polar auxin efflux carrier, PINFORMED 1 (PIN1) protein, we detail steps to prepare the callus for time-lapse confocal imaging and track the progenitors expressing PIN1-GFP, followed by mapping and quantifying PIN1 polarity using Fiji/ImageJ. We then describe targeted laser ablation of cells and subsequent time-lapse imaging to study regeneration.

Mechanical conflict caused by a cell-wall-loosening enzyme activates de novo shoot regeneration.

Cellular heterogeneity is a hallmark of multicellular organisms. During shoot regeneration from undifferentiated callus, only a select few cells, called progenitors, develop into shoot. How these cells are selected and what governs their subsequent progression to a patterned organ system is unknown.

Age, Wound Size, and Position of Injury - Dependent Vascular Regeneration Assay in Growing Leaves.

Recurring damage to the aerial organs of plants necessitates their prompt repair, particularly their vasculature. While vascular regeneration assays for aerial plant parts such as the stem and inflorescence stalk are well established, those for leaf vasculature remain unexplored. Recently, we established a new vascular regeneration assay in growing leaves and discovered the underlying molecular mechanism.

A coherent feed-forward loop drives vascular regeneration in damaged aerial organs of plants growing in a normal developmental context.

Aerial organs of plants, being highly prone to local injuries, require tissue restoration to ensure their survival. However, knowledge of the underlying mechanism is sparse. In this study, we mimicked natural injuries in growing leaves and stems to study the reunion between mechanically disconnected tissues.

Regrowing the damaged or lost body parts.

Plants display extraordinary ability to revive tissues and organs lost or damaged in injury. This is evident from the root tip restoration and classical experiments in stem demonstrating re-establishment of vascular continuity. While recent studies have begun to unravel the mechanistic understanding of tissue restoration in response to injury in underground plant organs, the molecular mechanisms of the same in aerial organs remain to be ventured deeper.