A quiescent path to plant longevity

Jefri Heyman; Robert P Kumpf; Lieven De Veylder

doi:10.1016/j.tcb.2014.03.004

A quiescent path to plant longevity

Trends Cell Biol. 2014 Aug;24(8):443-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.03.004. Epub 2014 Apr 3.

Authors

Jefri Heyman¹, Robert P Kumpf¹, Lieven De Veylder²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plant Systems Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), and Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
² Department of Plant Systems Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), and Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium. Electronic address: livey@psb.vib-ugent.be.

PMID: 24704103
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.03.004

Abstract

The giant sequoia and the bristlecone pine trees are capable of living up to several hundreds or even thousands of years. Plants achieve this longevity by regenerating stem cells capable of giving rise to all differentiated cells. Plant stem cells reside in specific niches with high mitotic activity that are known as meristems. Remarkably, at the center of the root stem cell niche (SCN) resides a group of mitotically inactive cells known as the quiescent center (QC). Recent studies suggest that stress-related phytohormones and DNA damage can initiate QC cell division, resulting in the replenishment of stem cells surrounding the QC. We therefore propose that the QC represents a pool of backup cells that serve to replace damaged stem cells, thereby contributing to plant longevity.

Keywords: meristem; peptide signaling; quiescent center; root; stem cell niche.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Cell Division*
Models, Biological
Plant Development*
Plant Roots / cytology
Proteolysis
Stem Cell Niche