Peptide encoding Populus CLV3/ESR-RELATED 47 (PttCLE47) promotes cambial development and secondary xylem formation in hybrid aspen

Melis Kucukoglu, Salma Chaabouni, Bo Zheng, Ari Pekka Mähönen, Ykä Helariutta, Ove Nilsson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (ESR)-RELATED (CLE) peptide ligands in connection with their receptors are important players in cell-to-cell communications in plants. Here, we investigated the function of the Populus CLV3/ESR-RELATED 47 (PttCLE47) gene during secondary growth and wood formation in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides) using an RNA interference (RNAi) approach. Expression of PttCLE47 peaks in the vascular cambium. Silencing of the PttCLE47 gene expression affected lateral expansion of stems and decreased apical height growth and leaf size. In particular, PttCLE47 RNAi trees exhibited a narrower secondary xylem zone with less xylem cells/cell file. The reduced radial growth phenotype also correlated with a reduced number of cambial cell layers. In agreement with these results, expression of several cambial regulator genes was downregulated in the stems of the transgenic trees in comparison with controls. Altogether, these results suggest that the PttCLE47 gene is a major positive regulator of cambial activity in hybrid aspen, mainly promoting the production of secondary xylem. Furthermore, in contrast to previously characterized CLE genes expressed in the wood-forming zone, PttCLE47 appears to be active at its site of expression.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNew Phytologist
Volume226
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)75-85
Number of pages11
ISSN0028-646X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fields of Science

  • 11831 Plant biology
  • 1182 Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
  • cambium
  • CLE peptides
  • Populus
  • PttCLE47
  • secondary growth and development
  • wood formation
  • STEM-CELL FATE
  • CLE PEPTIDES
  • GENE-EXPRESSION
  • WOOD FORMATION
  • HD-ZIP
  • ARABIDOPSIS
  • CLAVATA3
  • MERISTEM
  • SHOOT
  • CLV3

Cite this