In multicellular organisms, tissue generation, maintenance, and homeostasis depend on stem cells. Cellular metabolic status is an essential component of different differentiated states, from stem to fully differentiated cells. Threonine (Thr) metabolism has emerged as a critical factor required to maintain pluripotent/multipotent stem cells in both plants and animals. Thus, both kingdoms conserved or converged upon this fundamental feature of stem cell function. Here, we examine similarities and differences in Thr metabolism-dependent mechanisms supporting stem cell maintenance in these two kingdoms. We then consider common features of Thr metabolism in stem cell maintenance and predict and speculate that some knowledge about Thr metabolism and its role in stem cell function in one kingdom may apply to the other. Finally, we outline future research directions to explore these hypotheses.
Keywords: embryonic stem cells; epigenetic modifications; one-carbon metabolism; root apical meristem; stem cells; threonine catabolism; threonine metabolism; threonine synthesis.
Copyright © 2021 Sahoo, Van Winkle, Díaz de la Garza and Dubrovsky.