Uncovering a signaling mechanism behind coordinated proliferation of leaf cells

April 19, 2013

Potential applications to increase crop production

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, the University of Tokyo, Rikkyo University and National Institute for Basic Biology have discovered that the ANGUSTIFOLIA3 (AN3) protein acts as an signaling molecule mediating coordinated proliferation between epidermal and mesophyll cells of plant leaves.

Researchers found that, through molecular genetics using model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, a fluorescent fusion protein of AN3 and GFP moved from mesophyll into epidermal cells, thereby promoting epidermal cell proliferation. Manipulation of this signaling could offer future possibilities for increase in crop production.

These findings were published in Current Biology advance online on April 19, ahead of print publication on May 6.

Original article

Current Biology doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.03.044

K. Kawade, G. Horiguchi, T. Usami, M. Y. Hirai, H. Tsukaya.

"ANGUSTIFOLIA3 signaling coordinates proliferation between clonally distinct cells in leaves".

Contact

Kensuke Kawade

Special Postdoctoral Researcher

Metabolic Systems Research Team, Metabolomics Research Group