title: To branch or not to branch: the role of pre-patterning in lateral root formation.
abstract: The establishment of a pre-pattern or competence to form new organs is a key feature of the postembryonic plasticity of plant development, and the elaboration of such pre-patterns leads to remarkable heterogeneity in plant form. In root systems, many of the differences in architecture can be directly attributed to the outgrowth of lateral roots. In recent years, efforts have focused on understanding how the pattern of lateral roots is established. Here, we review recent findings that point to a periodic mechanism for establishing this pattern, as well as roles for plant hormones, particularly auxin, in the earliest steps leading up to lateral root primordium development. In addition, we compare the development of lateral root primordia with in vitro plant regeneration and discuss possible common molecular mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Duke Center for Systems Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
authors.forename: Jaimie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Van Norman
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.forename: Philip N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Benfey
mesh_terms: D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007210:Indoleacetic Acids
keywords: Auxin; Callus formation; Lateral root development; Periodic gene expression; Pre-patterning