The phloem consists of sieve elements (SEs) and companion cells (CCs). Here we show that Dof-class transcription factors preferentially expressed in the phloem (phloem-Dofs) are not only necessary and sufficient for SE and CC differentiation, but also induce negative regulators of phloem development, CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED25 (CLE25), CLE26 and CLE45 secretory peptides. CLEs were perceived by BARELY ANY MERISTEM (BAM)-class receptors and CLAVATA3 INSENSITIVE RECEPTOR KINASE (CIK) co-receptors, and post-transcriptionally decreased phloem-Dof proteins and repressed SE and CC formation. Multiple mutations in CLE-, BAM- or CIK-class genes caused ectopic formation of SEs and CCs, producing an SE/CC cluster at each phloem region. We propose that while phloem-Dofs induce phloem cell formation, they inhibit excess phloem cell formation by inducing CLEs. Normal-positioned SE and CC precursor cells appear to overcome the effect of CLEs by reinforcing the production of phloem-Dofs through a positive feedback transcriptional regulation.

In the version of this Article originally published, the authors incorrectly stated that the work was supported by Innovative Areas grant number 25003006; the correct number is 25113006. This statement has now been amended in all online versions of the Article.

Main conclusion Fackel (FK) is involved in the flowering of Arabidopsis mainly via the gibberellin pathway and vernalization pathway. This new function of FK is partially dependent on the FLOWERING LOCUS C ( FLC ).A common transitional process from vegetative stage to reproductive stage exists in higher plants during their life cycle. The initiation of flower bud differentiation, which plays a key role in the reproductive phase, is affected by both external environmental and internal regulatory factors. In this study, we showed that the Arabidopsis weak mutant allele fk-J3158, impaired in the FACKEL (FK) gene, which encodes a C-14 reductase involved in sterol biosynthesis, had a long life cycle and delayed flowering time in different photoperiods. In addition, FK overexpression lines displayed an earlier flowering phenotype than that of the wild type. These processes might be independent of the downstream brassinosteroid (BR) pathway and the autonomous pathway. However, the fk-J3158 plants were more sensitive than wild type in reducing the bolting days and total leaf number under gibberellic acid (GA) treatment. Further studies suggested that FK mutation led to an absence of endogenous GAs in fk-J3158 and FK gene expression was also affected under GA and paclobutrazol (PAC) treatment. Moreover, the delayed flowering time of fk-J3158 could be rescued by a 3-week vernalization treatment, and the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was accordingly down-regulated in fk-J3158. We also demonstrated that flowering time of fk-J3158 flc double mutant was significantly earlier than that of fk-J3158 under the long-day (LD) conditions. All these results indicated that FK may affect the flowering in Arabidopsis mainly via GA pathway and vernalization pathway. And these effects are partially dependent on the FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC).

Stomata are highly specialized epidermal structures that control transpiration and gas exchange between plants and the environment. Signal networks underlying stomatal development have been previously uncovered but much less is known about how signals involved in stomatal development are transmitted to RNA polymerase II (Pol II or RPB), which plays a central role in the transcription of mRNA coding genes. Here, we identify a partial loss-of-function mutation of the third largest subunit of nuclear DNA-dependent Pol II (NRPB3) that exhibits an increased number of stomatal lineage cells and paired stomata. Phenotypic and genetic analyses indicated that NRPB3 is not only required for correct stomatal patterning, but is also essential for stomatal differentiation. Protein-protein interaction assays showed that NRPB3 directly interacts with two basic helixloop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, FAMA and INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1 (ICE1), indicating that NRPB3 serves as an acceptor for signals from transcription factors involved in stomatal development. Our findings highlight the surprisingly conserved activating mechanisms mediated by the third largest subunit of Pol II in eukaryotes.

Plants are constantly challenged by various abiotic stresses that negatively affect growth and productivity worldwide. During the course of their evolution, plants have developed sophisticated mechanisms to recognize external signals allowing them to respond appropriately to environmental conditions, although the degree of adjustability or tolerance to specific stresses differs from species to species. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2; superoxide, O2ˉ˙; hydroxyl radical, OH. and singlet oxygen, 1O2) is enhanced under abiotic and/or biotic stresses, which can cause oxidative damage to plant macromolecules and cell structures, leading to inhibition of plant growth and development, or to death. Among the various ROS, freely diffusible and relatively long-lived H2O2 acts as a central player in stress signal transduction pathways. These pathways can then activate multiple acclamatory responses that reinforce resistance to various abiotic and biotic stressors. To utilize H2O2 as a signaling molecule, non-toxic levels must be maintained in a delicate balancing act between H2O2 production and scavenging. Several recent studies have demonstrated that the H2O2-priming can enhance abiotic stress tolerance by modulating ROS detoxification and by regulating multiple stress-responsive pathways and gene expression. Despite the importance of the H2O2-priming, little is known about how this process improves the tolerance of plants to stress. Understanding the mechanisms of H2O2-priming-induced abiotic stress tolerance will be valuable for identifying biotechnological strategies to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. This review is an overview of our current knowledge of the possible mechanisms associated with H2O2-induced abiotic oxidative stress tolerance in plants, with special reference to antioxidant metabolism.

A new gene, SG1, was identified in a slow-greening mutant (sg1) isolated from an ethylmethanesulphonate-mutagenized population of Arabidopsis thaliana. The newly formed leaves of sg1 were initially albino, but gradually became pale green. After 3 weeks, the leaves of the mutant were as green as those of the wild-type plants. Transmission electron microscopic observations revealed that the mutant displayed delayed proplastid to chloroplast transition. The results of map-based cloning showed that SG1 encodes a chloroplast-localized tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionPCR data demonstrated the presence of SG1 gene expression in all tissues, particularly young green tissues. The sg1 mutation disrupted the expression levels of several genes associated with chloroplast development, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. The results of genetic analysis indicated that gun1 and gun4 partially restored the expression patterns of the previously detected chloroplast-associated genes, thereby ameliorating the slow-greening phenotype of sg1. Taken together, the results suggest that the newly identified protein, SG1, is required for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis.

Asymmetric cell division is important for regulating cell proliferation and fate determination during stomatal development in plants. Although genes that control asymmetric division and cell differentiation in stomatal development have been reported, regulators controlling the process from asymmetric division to cell differentiation remain poorly understood. Here, we report a weak allele (fk-J3158) of the Arabidopsis sterol C-14 reductase gene FACKEL (FK) that shows clusters of small cells and stomata in leaf epidermis, a common phenomenon that is often seen in mutants defective in stomatal asymmetric division. Interestingly, the physical asymmetry of these divisions appeared to be intact in fk mutants, but the cell-fate asymmetry was greatly disturbed, suggesting that the FK pathway links these two crucial events in the process of asymmetric division. Sterol profile analysis revealed that the fk-J3158 mutation blocked downstream sterol production. Further investigation indicated that cyclopropylsterol isomerase1 (cpi1), sterol 14α-demethylase (cyp51A2) and hydra1 (hyd1) mutants, corresponding to enzymes in the same branch of the sterol biosynthetic pathway, displayed defective stomatal development phenotypes, similar to those observed for fk. Fenpropimorph, an inhibitor of the FK sterol C-14 reductase in Arabidopsis, also caused these abnormal small-cell and stomata phenotypes in wild-type leaves. Genetic experiments demonstrated that sterol biosynthesis is required for correct stomatal patterning, probably through an additional signaling pathway that has yet to be defined. Detailed analyses of time-lapse cell division patterns, stomatal precursor cell division markers and DNA ploidy suggest that sterols are required to properly restrict cell proliferation, asymmetric fate specification, cell-fate commitment and maintenance in the stomatal lineage cells. These events occur after physical asymmetric division of stomatal precursor cells.

The Allium fistulosum L.seeds were irradiated by 12C6+ heavy ions to the dosages of 30,90,180 Gy,the mutagenic effect in the aspect of the cell level and the agronomy was studied and the RAPD analysis was carried out.Comparision with the conclusion of M1 gengeration indicates that the Cytological damage,micronucleus and chromosomal aberration caused by radiation formed in the cells of Allium fistulosum L.,and this kind of effect still existed in the M2 generation.There is a negative correlation between some of the growth indexes such as plant height,diameter of onion white and irradiation dosage to a certain extent,the growth indexes in the 30 Gy dosage exposure group are better than those in control group.The Allium fistulosum L.nutrients,including the total water-soluble protein and the Vitamin C content are the highest for the 30 Gy group and the lowest in 90 Gy group.Consistent with the M1 generation,the chromosomal aberrations,micronucleus and the DNA polymorphism rate by RAPD analysis are still positive correlations with the radiation dose in M2 generation respectively.However,the overall rates decline.The result indicated that the DNA variation induced by the high energy heavy ion exposure is repaired and eliminated to a certain extent in the M2 generation.

SDD1是气孔发育过程中的关键调控基因,编码一个类枯草杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)蛋白酶的丝氨酸蛋白酶.从EMS诱变的拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中筛选到2株类似sdd1-1的气孔密度突变体,即e281和g204.其气孔密度和指数均比野生型增加约1.5倍.气孔成簇.遗传分析和基因测序证实它们是2个不同的SDD1新等位基因,其突变分别导致了底物结合位点N区域和催化三联体之一--S区域的氨基酸变化,分别为S变成T及S变为F.形态学和生理学研究表明,SDD1基因不同位点发生突变可导致不同的生物学效应;而且SDD1等位基因间存在拮抗作用,其可能属于基因转应作用中的负效应.

Pavement cells have an interlocking jigsaw puzzle-shaped leaf surface pattern. Twenty-three genes involved in the pavement cell morphogenesis were discovered until now. The mutations of these genes through various means lead to pavement cell shape defects, such as loss or lack of interdigitation, the reduction of lobing, gaps between lobe and neck regions in pavement cells, and distorted trichomes. These phenotypes are affected by the organization of microtubules and microfilaments. Microtubule bands are considered corresponding with the neck regions of the cell, while lobe formation depends on patches of microfilaments. The pathway of Rho of plant (ROP) GTPase signaling cascades regulates overall activity of the cytoskeleton in pavement cells. Some other proteins, in addition to the ROPs, SCAR/WAVE, and ARP2/3 complexes, are also involved in the pavement cell morphogenesis.

Cytological effects and RAPD analysis of root-tip cells of Allium fistulosum L., the dry seeds were irradiated by()~(12)C~(6+) heavy ions,were studied.Micronucleus and chromosomal aberration observed in the root-tip cells showed that obvious "linear rise" trend was in the frequency of micronucleus,multi-micronucleus and total chromosomal aberration.But a "U-formed" trend was observed only in the chromosomal aberration frequency.At the same time,RAPD analysis revealed()~(12)C~(6+) heavy ions exerted great effect on DNA variation of Allium fistulosum L..Flawing bands,increasing bands and the ones with different transport ratios were observed in amplified bands of 28 selected primers.The DNA variation rate for 30,90 and 180Gy treatments was 29.91%,41.05% and 22.14%,respectively.This study also found that high micronucleus frequency and chromosomal variation lead to high lethality,resulting in low DNA variation rate in the survived plants which seeds were irradiated with high doses.

Crops of Brassica napus L., Linum usitatissmum L., Allium fistulosum L. and Lens culinaris Medic. were irradiated by 80 MeV/u 12C6+ ion beams with doses of 30, 90 and 180 Gy. The germination rates and heights of seedlings of M1 and M2 generation of these four plants were studied. The results indicated that germination rates and average heights of the B. napus and L. usitatissmum were improved by appropriate dose treatment, while great suppression was found in the irradiated groups of the A. fistulosum. As far as the L. Culinaris was concerned, little differences was observed on M1 germination rate, but the 90 Gy irradiation was favorable to growth of plant. The treatments with 30, 90 and 180 Gy were inferior to contrast one on M2 germination rate of the four species. Seedlings of M2 generation of the B. napus, L. sitatissmum and L. culinaris under 30 Gy grew better than the other groups, while the best performance of the A. fistulosum was shown by the control group.

用30Gy、90Gy和180Gy 12C6+重离子辐照处理大葱干种子,研究了它对大葱的生物学效应。经过不同剂量12C6+重离子照射过的大葱,幼苗发芽率、株高等表型随着辐照剂量的增大,呈现明显的"抛物线"趋势。适量的12C6+重离子照射（30Gy）能提高大葱发芽率和抗旱、抗倒伏能力,促进生长发育。重离子辐照能有效地诱导大葱根尖细胞微核和染色体畸变形成,180Gy处理的大葱微核率和染色体畸变率最高达到9.09%和10.03%。本实验为大葱的重离子辐照育种打下基础。