Topological analysis of multicellular complexity in the plant hypocotyl

Abstract

Multicellularity arose as a result of adaptive advantages conferred to complex cellular assemblies. The arrangement of cells within organs endows higher-order functionality through a structure-function relationship, though the organizational properties of these multicellular configurations remain poorly understood. We investigated the topological properties of complex organ architecture by digitally capturing global cellular interactions in the plant embryonic stem (hypocotyl), and analyzing these using quantitative network analysis. This revealed the presence of coherent conduits of reduced path length across epidermal atrichoblast cell files. The preferential movement of small molecules along this cell type was demonstrated using fluorescence transport assays. Both robustness and plasticity in this higher order property of atrichoblast patterning was observed across diverse genetic backgrounds, and the analysis of genetic patterning mutants identified the contribution of gene activity towards their construction. This topological analysis of multicellular structural organization reveals higher order functions for patterning and principles of complex organ construction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26023.001

Seedling Establishment: A Dimmer Switch-Regulated Process between Dark and Light Signaling

“…Nevertheless, another recent study supports the cell type-specific functions in Arabidopsis hypocotyls. Trichoblasts form hair-like structures and acquire nutrients from the external environment, while the neighboring atrichoblasts provide shortcut routes for these nutrients to be unloaded and moved up the stem (Jackson et al, 2017).…”

Peeking at a plant through the holes in the wall – exploring the roles of plasmodesmata

“…Studies on plant symplastic transport are now becoming multi‐disciplinary, promoting collaboration between biologists, engineers and computer modellers (Jackson et al ., ). Current work on both short and long distance symplastic transport in plants in relation to plant–plant, plant–microbe, and plant–environment interactions highlights the usefulness of molecular tools such as the over‐active, PD‐located callose synthase icals3m (Vatén et al ., ) and calcium biosensors (Nakai et al ., ) in root and shoot cellular patterning and signalling.…”

Efficient vasculature investment in tissues can be determined without global information

“…Lattices were used to represent immobilized cells within tissues, as observed in spatially constrained organs, with typically homogeneous connectomes [36]. The premise is that vasculature formation is equivalent to the strings of cells being fused into a single node, which reduces network distances within the graph [6,37], and that only contiguous cells can be fused together in this process. This process would be analogous to the formation of a cavity in animal vascular systems, where solutes and cells in suspension can move freely inside vascular vessels.…”