A blast from the past: Understanding stem cell specification in plant roots using laser ablation

Abstract

In the Arabidopsis root, growth is sustained by the meristem. Signalling from organiser cells, also termed the quiescent centre (QC), is essential for the maintenance and replenishment of the stem cells. Here, we highlight three publications from the founder of the concept of the stem cell niche in Arabidopsis and a pioneer in unravelling regulatory modules governing stem cell specification and maintenance, as well as tissue patterning in the root meristem: Ben Scheres. His research has tremendously impacted the plant field. We have selected three publications from the Scheres legacy, which can be considered a breakthrough in the field of plant developmental biology. van den Berg et al. (1995) and van den Berg et al. (1997) uncovered that positional information-directed patterning. Sabatini et al. (1999), discovered that auxin maxima determine tissue patterning and polarity. We describe how simple but elegant experimental designs have provided the foundation of our current understanding of the functioning of the root meristem.

The Emerging Role of Non-Coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in Plant Growth, Development, and Stress Response Signaling

“…In Arabidopsis, the root system architecture comprises primary roots (PRs) and individual lateral roots (LRs) [81]. PRs develop from stem cells surrounding the quiescent center through several rounds of asymmetrical cell divisions and expansions, eventually forming the root meristem [82]. Conversely, LRs originate from the initial specification of pericycle cells, a heterogeneous tissue composed of quiescent cells at the phloem poles and specified cells designated to form lateral root primordia opposite each xylem pole [83].…”

Multi‐scale mechanisms driving root regeneration: From regeneration competence to tissue repatterning

“…In Arabidopsis research, stem cell and meristematic damages are mimicked by laser ablation of specific, localized cells (Hoermayer et al, 2020;Marhava et al, 2019;Smet & Blilou, 2023;van den Berg et al, 1997), as well as by using drugs like bleomycin that cause programmed cell death (Canher et al, 2020), or hydroxyurea that causes DNA stress (Cruz-Ram ırez et al, 2013). Such experiments have revealed that the regeneration capabilities of the root are not exclusively dependent on the QC.…”