A team of Japanese scientists has identified a peptide and its receptor that
direct lateral roots into growing with the right spacing. The scientists
used the plant model Arabidopsis, and were able to identify that the
overexpression of a certain gene, the TOLS2, located in the lateral root
founder cells and root germ of the plant, can inhibit the formation of
lateral root cells.

Further investigation proved that the receptor of the TOLS2 gene is the
RLK7, a protein commonly expressed in the inner sheath of the roots,
endodermis, and dermal layer of the plant. Interestingly, the RLK7
expression is not found in the lateral root founder cells and are likely to
suppress the formation of lateral roots in cells adjacent to lateral root
founder cells. Then using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the scientists were able
to confirm that the TOLS2 peptide and the RLK7 receptor are important in
preserving the correct spacing between lateral root founder cells.

According to the researchers, these findings can lead to more studies in the
future that will help scientists understand root formation mechanisms of
plants and trees, and potentially control their root formation.

[www.kobe-u.ac.jp]