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Elucidating the mechanism of cell division during plant self-healing

Elucidating the mechanism of cell division during plant self-healing
Credit: Plant And Cell ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµiology (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcae103

When the stem of a plant is injured, the surrounding cells proliferate to repair and fuse the damaged tissue, eventually restoring function. This self-healing property is utilized in grafting techniques to propagate fruit and vegetable plants.

Prior research on this process has mainly concentrated on the initiation of . However, few studies have explored the inhibitory mechanisms that act as a brake on proliferation.

In a new study, researchers studying Arabidopsis demonstrated that At2-MMP, a proteolytic enzyme, is vital to inhibit cell proliferation to repair severed flowering stems. The findings are in the journal Plant And Cell ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµiology.

By comparing tissue repair in Arabidopsis mutants lacking the At2-MMP gene (mutant at2-mmp) with wild-type plants, researchers found that the mutants exhibited abnormal cell proliferation at the injury site.

In severed wild-type Arabidopsis flowering stems, cell proliferation begins in pith cells (the center of the root and stem) approximately three days after cutting. At2-MMP transcripts gradually increase from day 0 to day 5 and decrease by day 7 to complete tissue repair.

However, revealed abnormal cell division in at2-mmp mutants. Conversely, when At2-MMP was overexpressed, normal wound healing similar to that in wild-type plants was observed.

Overall, these findings indicate that At2-MMP contributes to by suppressing at the cleavage site and preventing abnormal cell proliferation. This process may reflect a survival strategy developed by immobile plants to enhance their self-healing ability.

More information: Afiifah Machfuudzoh et al, At2-MMP is required for attenuation of cell proliferation during wound healing in incised Arabidopsis inflorescence stems, Plant And Cell ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµiology (2024).

Provided by University of Tsukuba

Citation: Elucidating the mechanism of cell division during plant self-healing (2024, September 27) retrieved 10 July 2025 from /news/2024-09-elucidating-mechanism-cell-division.html
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