Wójcik Anna M, Krypczyk Kamila, Buchcik Weronika M, Gaj Małgorzata D
University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Jagiellonska 28, Katowice, 40-032, Poland.
BMC Plant Biol. 2025 May 15;25(1):642. doi: 10.1186/s12870-025-06687-4.
The study was focused on the WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX 5 (WOX5), a member of the WUSCHEL family of homeodomain transcription factors, of the root apical meristem (RAM) - specific function in the quiescent center (QC) and columella stem cell maintenance. We revealed that WOX5 is also engaged in the embryogenic transition of plant somatic cells cultured in vitro. We showed that WOX5 controls the induction of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Arabidopsis. The results suggest that the function of WOX5 in SE induction is related to controlling genes related to diverse auxin-related processes, including biosynthesis, transport, distribution, and signaling of auxin in plant development (TAA1, YUC1, PIN1, LEC2, PLT3, ARF5). The postulated WOX5 targets in embryogenic induction also involve CDF4, controlling cell differentiation in RAM. The study reveals genetic parallels between stem cell maintenance in RAM and in vitro-induced embryogenic transition in somatic cells.The findings identified WOX5 as a new regulatory element within the transcription factor network controlling embryogenic response in somatic plant cells. Identifying embryogenic/pluripotency-related functions of WOX5 opens further opportunities for improving in vitro plant regeneration of recalcitrant species.
该研究聚焦于WUSCHEL相关同源异型盒5（WOX5），它是同源异型域转录因子WUSCHEL家族的成员，在根顶端分生组织（RAM）的静止中心（QC）和柱干细胞维持中具有特定功能。我们发现WOX5也参与体外培养的植物体细胞的胚胎发生转变。我们表明WOX5控制拟南芥中体细胞胚胎发生（SE）的诱导。结果表明，WOX5在SE诱导中的功能与控制植物发育中与多种生长素相关过程有关的基因有关，包括生长素的生物合成、运输、分布和信号传导（TAA1、YUC1、PIN1、LEC2、PLT3、ARF5）。在胚胎发生诱导中假定的WOX5靶标还涉及CDF4，其控制RAM中的细胞分化。该研究揭示了RAM中的干细胞维持与体细胞体外诱导的胚胎发生转变之间的遗传相似性。这些发现确定WOX5是控制植物体细胞胚胎发生反应的转录因子网络中的一个新的调控元件。确定WOX5与胚胎发生/多能性相关的功能为改善难培养物种的体外植物再生提供了更多机会。
