Simulations of virtual plants reveal a role for SERRATE in the response of leaf development to light in Arabidopsis thaliana.
The SERRATE gene (SE) was shown to determine leaf organogenesis and morphogenesis patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana. The se-1 mutant was used here to investigate the role of SE in leaf development in response to incident light. Virtual plants were modelled to analyse the phenotypes induced by this mutation. Plants were grown under various levels of incident light. The amount of light absorbed by the plant was estimated by combining detailed characterizations of the radiative environment and virtual plant simulations. Four major changes in leaf development were induced by the se-1 mutation. Two constitutive leaf growth variables were modified, with a lower initial expansion rate and a higher duration of expansion. Two original responses to a reduced incident light were identified, concerning the leaf-initiation rate and the duration of leaf expansion. The se-1 mutation dramatically affects both changes in the leaf development pattern and the response to reduced incident light. Virtual plants helped to reveal the combined effects of the multiple changes induced by this mutation.
Chenu
Karine
K
INRA, UMR 759 LEPSE, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex 01, France.
Franck
Nicolàs
N
Centro de Estudios de Zonas Áridas (CEZA), Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 1004, Correo Central, Santiago, Chile.
Lecoeur
Jérémie
J
SupAgro, UMR 759 LEPSE, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex 01, France.
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000072099:Serrate-Jagged Proteins
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C000606277:SE protein, Arabidopsis; D000072099:Serrate-Jagged Proteins