Fluctuations of the transcription factor ATML1 generate the pattern of giant cells in theArabidopsissepal.
Multicellular development produces patterns of specialized cell types. Yet, it is often unclear how individual cells within a field of identical cells initiate the patterning process. Using live imaging, quantitative image analyses and modeling, we show that duringArabidopsis thalianasepal development, fluctuations in the concentration of the transcription factor ATML1 pattern a field of identical epidermal cells to differentiate into giant cells interspersed between smaller cells. We find that ATML1 is expressed in all epidermal cells. However, its level fluctuates in each of these cells. If ATML1 levels surpass a threshold during the G2 phase of the cell cycle, the cell will likely enter a state of endoreduplication and become giant. Otherwise, the cell divides. Our results demonstrate a fluctuation-driven patterning mechanism for how cell fate decisions can be initiated through a random yet tightly regulated process.
Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, , United States.|The graduate field of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States.
Heather M
0000-0002-9991-6312
HM
Meyer
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
José
0000-0003-1373-8250
J
Teles
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Pau
0000-0003-3005-597X
P
Formosa-Jordan
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Yassin
0000-0001-6136-608X
Y
Refahi
Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, CNRS, INRA, Lyon, France.
Rita
R
San-Bento
Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, UCB Lyon 1, CNRS, INRA, Lyon, France.
Gwyneth
G
Ingram
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.|Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.|Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Henrik
0000-0003-2340-588X
H
Jönsson
Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.|Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.|Microsoft Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
James C W
0000-0003-0670-1943
JC
Locke
Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, , United States.|The graduate field of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States.|Section of Plant Biology, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States.
Adrienne H K
0000-0001-6685-2984
AH
Roeder
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D059828:Plant Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000166:cytology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C103790:ATML1 protein, Arabidopsis; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins
A. thaliana; ATML1; cell fate specification; endoreduplication; giant cell; pattern formation; plant biology; sepal