Molecular signaling networks in the shoot apical meristem

摘要

Developmental growth and organ formation of all aerial parts of mature plants are thoroughly generated from stem cells in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). More interestingly, the SAM development is mainly established by multiple receptor-mediated signaling pathways induced by stem-cell-triggered peptides. For past few decades, various genetic and biochemical approaches have been employed to investigate the regulation of stem-cell functions through isolating peptide ligands, receptor complexes and early transcription factors that regulate stem-cell homeostasis. However, because signaling molecules have highly redundant properties, the receptor-mediated signaling cascade still remains unclear. Therefore, to better understand important aspects of intracellular signaling networks, this review is mainly focused on recently achieved findings involved in the molecular mechanisms of the SAM.