MAIN‐LIKE1 is a crucial factor for correct cell division and differentiation in Arabidopsis thaliana. (12th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ühlken, Christine; Horvath, Beatrix; Stadler, Ruth; Sauer, Norbert; Weingartner, Magdalena
• Is Part Of: Plant journal. Volume 78:Number 1(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12
• Subjects: Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12455
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7412

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tpj12455-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Plant development requires accurate coordination of gene expression, both in actively dividing meristematic cells and differentiated cells. Cell fate establishment and maintenance, among others, are mediated by chromatin organization complexes that determine the stable transcriptional states of specific cell types. Here, we focus on <italic>MAIN‐LIKE1</italic> (<italic>MAIL1</italic>), one of three homologs of <italic>MAINTENANCE OF MERISTEMS</italic> (<italic>MAIN</italic>), which form a plant‐specific gene family in <italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</italic>. We show that <italic>MAIL1</italic> encodes a ubiquitously expressed nuclear protein. A <italic>mail1</italic> loss‐of‐function mutant developed short primary roots, in which the meristematic cells accumulated DNA double‐strand breaks and underwent massive cell death. In addition, <italic>mail1</italic> mutant showed also cell differentiation defects in root and shoot tissues, and developed disorganized callus‐like structures. The genetic interaction between <italic>main</italic> and <italic>mail1</italic> mutants suggests that they act in the same pathway, and that both are essential for maintaining correct cell division acitivity in meristematic cells, while MAIL1 has an additional function in differentiating cells.</p> </abstract>