Abstract
Aerial parts of plants originate from pluripotent cells in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). This population of stem cells is maintained via a negative feedback loop involving stable expression of WUSCHEL (WUS) and CLAVATA3. SAM size is dynamic and undergoes a more than 2-fold expansion upon the transition to reproductive growth. The underlying mechanism controlling this process is largely unknown, but coinciding increased levels of trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) suggest a participation of sugar signaling. Here we show that TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE PHOSPHATASE J, a component of the T6P pathway, is directly regulated by WUS, and controls SAM expansion at floral transition through WUS. Our findings demonstrate a dynamic feedback-regulation between central meristem maintenance and flowering time regulators with sugar signaling.
One Sentence Summary The increase in meristem size during the floral transition is regulated via a feedback regulation involving sugar signaling.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.