Stomatal development.
Stomata are cellular epidermal valves in plants central to gas exchange and biosphere productivity. The pathways controlling their formation are best understood for Arabidopsis thaliana where stomata are produced through a series of divisions in a dispersed stem cell compartment. The stomatal pathway is an accessible system for analyzing core developmental processes including position-dependent patterning via intercellular signaling and the regulation of the balance between proliferation and cell specification. This review synthesizes what is known about the mechanisms and genes underlying stomatal development. We contrast the functions of genes that act earlier in the pathway, including receptors, kinases, and proteases, with those that act later in the cell lineage. In addition, we discuss the relationships between environmental signals, stomatal development genes, and the capacity for controlling shoot gas exchange.
Bergmann
Dominique C
DC
Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. dbergmann@stanford.edu
Sack
Fred D
FD
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D019070:Cell Lineage; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004777:Environment; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide