Endoreplication mediates cell size control via mechanochemical signaling from cell wall

Abstract

Endoreplication is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for increasing nuclear DNA content (ploidy). Ploidy frequently scales with final cell and organ size, suggesting a key role for endoreplication in these processes. However, exceptions exist, and, consequently, the endoreplication-size nexus remains enigmatic. Here, we show that prolonged tissue folding at the apical hook in Arabidopsis requires endoreplication asymmetry under the control of an auxin gradient. We identify a molecular pathway linking endoreplication levels to cell size through cell wall remodeling and stiffness modulation. We find that endoreplication is not only permissive for growth: Endoreplication reduction enhances wall stiffening, actively reducing cell size. The cell wall integrity kinase THESEUS plays a key role in this feedback loop. Our data thus explain the nonlinearity between ploidy levels and size while also providing a molecular mechanism linking mechanochemical signaling with endore-plication-mediated dynamic control of cell growth.

Published in

Science Advances
2022, volume: 8, number: 49, article number: eabq2047
Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

SLU Authors

• Ma, Yuan

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Aryal, Bibek

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bhalerao, Rishikesh P.

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Cell Biology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abq2047

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121466