ERF115 controls root quiescent center cell division and stem cell replenishment

Science. 2013 Nov 15;342(6160):860-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1240667. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Abstract

The quiescent center (QC) plays an essential role during root development by creating a microenvironment that preserves the stem cell fate of its surrounding cells. Despite being surrounded by highly mitotic active cells, QC cells self-renew at a low proliferation rate. Here, we identified the ERF115 transcription factor as a rate-limiting factor of QC cell division, acting as a transcriptional activator of the phytosulfokine PSK5 peptide hormone. ERF115 marks QC cell division but is restrained through proteolysis by the APC/C(CCS52A2) ubiquitin ligase, whereas QC proliferation is driven by brassinosteroid-dependent ERF115 expression. Together, these two antagonistic mechanisms delimit ERF115 activity, which is called upon when surrounding stem cells are damaged, revealing a cell cycle regulatory mechanism accounting for stem cell niche longevity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Mitosis / physiology
  • Peptide Hormones / genetics
  • Peptide Hormones / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / cytology*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development*
  • Proteolysis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cell Niche
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • CCS52A2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • ERF115 protein, Arabidopsis
  • PSK5 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Peptide Hormones
  • Transcription Factors
  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE48793
  • GEO/GSE48836