Abstract
Root hairs (RH) are excellent model systems for studying cell size regulation since they elongate several hundred-fold their original size. Their growth is determined both by intrinsic and environmental signals. Although nutrients availability in the soil are key factors for a sustained plant growth, the molecular mechanisms underlying their sensing and downstream signaling pathways remains unclear. Here, we identified the low temperature (10°C) triggers a strong RH cell elongation response involving the cell surface receptor kinase FERONIA (FER) and the nutrient sensing role of TOR Complex 1(TORC1). We found that FER is required to perceive limited nutrients availability caused by low temperature, to interacts with and activate TORC1-downstream components to trigger RH growth. We also found that nitrate availability could mimic the RH growth response at 10°C via an unknown specific mechanism involving the NRT1.1 transceptor. Our findings reveal a new molecular mechanism by which a central hub composed by FER-TORC1 might be involved in the control of RH cell elongation under low temperature.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
↵* Co-first authors.
