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Computational modelling of cambium activity provides a regulatory framework for simulating radial plant growth

Ivan Lebovka, Bruno Hay Mele, Alexandra Zakieva, Nial Gursanscky, View ORCID ProfileRoeland Merks, View ORCID ProfileThomas Greb
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.16.908715
Ivan Lebovka
1Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg, Germany
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Bruno Hay Mele
5Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II - Reggia di Portici - Via Università, 100 - 80055 - Portici (NA), Italy
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Alexandra Zakieva
1Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg, Germany
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Nial Gursanscky
2Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Roeland Merks
3Mathematical Institute, University Leiden, P.O. Box 9512, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
4Institute of Biology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9505, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Thomas Greb
1Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, Heidelberg, Germany
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  • ORCID record for Thomas Greb
  • For correspondence: thomas.greb@cos.uni-heidelberg.de
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Abstract

Precise organization of growing structures is a fundamental problem in developmental biology. In plants, radial growth is mediated by the cambium, a stem cell niche continuously producing wood (xylem) and bast (phloem) in a strictly bidirectional manner. While this process contributes large parts to terrestrial biomass, cambium dynamics eludes direct experimental access due to obstacles in live cell imaging. Here, we present a cell-based computational model visualizing cambium activity and integrating the function of central cambium regulators. Performing iterative comparisons of plant and model anatomies, we conclude that an intercellular signaling module consisting of the receptor-like kinase PXY and its ligand CLE41 constitutes a minimal framework sufficient for instructing tissue organization. Employing genetically encoded markers for different cambium domains in backgrounds with altered PXY/CLE41 activity, we furthermore propose that the module is part of a larger regulatory circuit using the phloem as a morphogenetic center. Our model highlights the importance of intercellular communication along the radial sequence of tissues within the cambium area and shows that a limited number of factors is sufficient to create a stable bidirectional tissue production.

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Posted January 17, 2020.
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Computational modelling of cambium activity provides a regulatory framework for simulating radial plant growth
Ivan Lebovka, Bruno Hay Mele, Alexandra Zakieva, Nial Gursanscky, Roeland Merks, Thomas Greb
bioRxiv 2020.01.16.908715; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.16.908715
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Computational modelling of cambium activity provides a regulatory framework for simulating radial plant growth
Ivan Lebovka, Bruno Hay Mele, Alexandra Zakieva, Nial Gursanscky, Roeland Merks, Thomas Greb
bioRxiv 2020.01.16.908715; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.16.908715

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