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© 2017, Meyer et al. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ) (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

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 during Arabidopsis thaliana sepal 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.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19131.001

Details

Title
Fluctuations of the transcription factor ATML1 generate the pattern of giant cells in the Arabidopsis sepal
Author
Meyer, Heather M; Teles José; Formosa-Jordan, Pau; Yassin, Refahi; San-Bento, Rita; Ingram, Gwyneth; Jönsson Henrik; Locke James C W; Roeder Adrienne H K
University/institution
U.S. National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine
Publication year
2017
Publication date
2017
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd.
e-ISSN
2050084X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1953098927
Copyright
© 2017, Meyer et al. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ) (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.