Auxin network spatiotemporally orchestrating stem cell initiation

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840101
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: Hiroshima Institute of Technology (2016-2017); National Institute for Basic Biology (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: IMAI Akihiro 広島工業大学, 生命学部, 助教 (40711198)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: オーキシン / 幹細胞 / 発光イメージング / 低分子RNA / ヒメツリガネゴケ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In Physcomitrella patens, a leaf detachment induces cell reprogramming in which leaf cells are changed to stem cells. Transgenic plants defect in auxin signaling genes showed the reprogramming efficiency. In this study, to reveal the dynamics of auxin accumulation and auxin signaling factors, auxin dual-luc sensors and small RNA sensors were developed. The results suggested that leaf detachment triggers decrease in the small RNAs first and then induces a transient increase in auxin level and PpARF protein, which leads to cell reprogramming from a leaf cell to a stem cell.

Free Research Field

ヒメツリガネゴケを用いた幹細胞形成過程の分子基盤の研究