Elastic Domains Regulate Growth and Organogenesis in the Plant Shoot Apical Meristem

摘要: Although genetic control of morphogenesis is well established, elaboration complex shapes requires changes in the mechanical properties cells. In plants, first visible sign leaf formation a bulge on flank shoot apical meristem. Bulging results from local relaxation cell walls, which causes them to yield internal hydrostatic pressure. By manipulation tissue tension combination with quantitative live imaging and finite-element modeling, we found that slow-growing area at tip substantially strain-stiffened compared surrounding fast-growing tissue. We propose strain stiffening limits growth, restricts organ bulging, contributes meristem's functional zonation. Thus, signals are not just passive readouts gene action but feed back morphogenesis.