For a long time, it has been unclear to scientists how the crucial processes
of growth and pattern formation in plants were controlled during tissue
formation. Recently, though, biochemists from Wageningen University
discovered that pattern formation of the vascular tissues take place when
the embryo only contains four vascular precursor cells.

The research group showed that a genetic network controls the orientation of
cell divisions during a plant's vascular tissue development. This network
switches on a set of genes, causing the production of the plant hormone
cytokinin that, in turn, regulates cell division and the orientation of
those divisions.

The team discovered that the secret of patterning is thus the combination of
a common cell wall connection and a slight difference in concentration of
the plant hormone auxin. The genetic circuit discovery by these researchers
makes sure the four cells further develop into a complete vascular tissue
containing distinct cell types.


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