Stress-induced morphogenic responses: growing out of trouble?

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2007.01.004

Trends in Plant Science

Volume 12, Issue 3, March 2007, Pages 98-105

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2007.01.004 Get rights and content

Plants exposed to sub-lethal abiotic stress conditions exhibit a broad range of morphogenic responses. Despite the diversity of phenotypes, a generic ‘stress-induced morphogenic response’ can be recognized that appears to be carefully orchestrated and comprises three components: (a) inhibition of cell elongation, (b) localized stimulation of cell division and (c) alterations in cell differentiation status. It is hypothesized that the similarities in the morphogenic responses induced by distinct stresses, reflect common molecular processes such as increased ROS-production and altered phytohormone transport and/or metabolism. The stress-induced morphogenic response (SIMR) is postulated to be part of a general acclimation strategy, whereby plant growth is redirected to diminish stress exposure.

Section snippets

Common responses to stress

A common theme in animal stress physiology is the ‘fight-or-flight’ response – an acute response that enables animals to defend themselves or flee away from a stressful situation. Plants are sessile organisms that have developed an extensive array of defensive responses. Yet, many plants do redirect their growth when exposed to stress. It is hypothesized that such morphogenic responses are part of a general acclimation strategy that constitutes the ‘flight’ response of plants.

Exposure to stress

Heavy metals induce morphogenic responses

Most heavy metals are phytotoxic affecting growth and development. However, chronic exposure also induces a specific SIMR phenotype, characterized by an inhibition of root elongation, and enhanced formation of lateral roots (Figure 1, Figure 2a; Table 1). In Zea mays, exposure to aluminium inhibited cell division in the primary root meristem within 5 min, although cell division was stimulated in the distal elongation zone, with lateral roots protruding after just 3 h [2]. It appears that a short

Stress-induced alterations in auxin metabolism

With respect to the SIMR phenotype, it is intriguing that cell division is not so much inhibited in stressed plants but redirected to different locations. This is seen, for example, in root morphology with the emergence of lateral root primordials on the roots of stressed plants (Figure 1, Figure 2a). The patterning of lateral organ formation is directly related to auxin patterning and/or distribution 30, 31. Indeed there is a good correlation between cadmium-induced changes in auxin

Molecular responses underlying SIMR: cell wall flexibility, cell cycle progression and microtubuli

The molecular mechanisms underlying SIMR can be catalogued as processes that are influenced by abiotic stresses and simultaneously impact on morphogenesis. Because a SIMR comprises parallel inhibition of cell elongation and localized stimulation of cell division, these processes are likely to function as focal points in its regulation (Figure 4).

Are SIMRs ecologically relevant?

Plants have evolved a large variety of distinct morphological adaptations to limit exposure to unfavourable environmental conditions. One example is the dwarf architecture (cushions, tussocks) that is found in plants from alpine or arctic environments. The functionality of such architecture is linked to the capability to create a favourable microclimate, a climate in which the shoot apical meristem in particular is relatively well protected, enabling rapid resumption of growth when conditions

Conclusions

Stress-induced morphogenic responses are observed in plants exposed to a variety of distinct abiotic stresses. SIMRs comprise three components: (a) inhibition of cell elongation, (b) localized stimulation of cell division and (c) alterations in cell differentiation status. We hypothesize that SIMRs are carefully coordinated stress acclimation responses rather than unavoidable, consequences of stress exposure. Plants use morphogenic responses to decrease stress exposure. The similarities between

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 388, 592), the FCI and BMBF (to K.J.P. and T.P.P.), of FWO-Vlaanderen (FWO research projects MO 4764 and 1227) (to G.P. and Y.G.) and of WoB (to M.A.K.J.).

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Trends in Plant Science

OpinionStress-induced morphogenic responses: growing out of trouble?

Section snippets

Common responses to stress

Heavy metals induce morphogenic responses

Stress-induced alterations in auxin metabolism

Molecular responses underlying SIMR: cell wall flexibility, cell cycle progression and microtubuli

Are SIMRs ecologically relevant?

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Trends Plant Sci.

Environ. Exp. Bot.

Plant Physiol. Biochem.

Environ. Exp. Bot.

Environ. Pollut.

Trends Plant Sci.

Ann. Bot. (Lond.)

Trends Plant Sci.

Trends Plant Sci.

Curr. Opin. Plant Biol.

C R Biol.

Trends Plant Sci.

Trends Plant Sci.

Trends Plant Sci.

Plant Physiol. Biochem.

Phytochemistry

Plant Sci.

Environ. Exp. Bot.

Root cell patterning: a primary target for aluminium toxicity in maize

J. Exp. Bot.

The role of the apoplast in aluminium toxicity and resistance of higher plants

Z. Pflanzenernahr. Bodenkd.

Responses induced by high concentration of cadmium in Phragmites australis roots

Physiol. Plant.

Complementary interactions between oxidative stress and the phytohormone auxin control plant growth responses at plant, organ and cellular level

J. Exp. Bot.

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Plant Physiol.

Phosphate availability alters architecture and causes changes in hormone sensitivity in the Arabidopsis root system

Plant Physiol.

Phosphate availability alters lateral root anatomy and root architecture of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. seedlings

J. Integr. Plant Biol.

Root architecture and phosphorus acquisition efficiency in common bean

A role for nitrilase 3 in the regulation of root morphology in sulphur-starving Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant J.

Nitrate and phosphate availability and distribution have different effects on root system architecture of Arabidopsis

Plant J.

An ethylene-mediated increase in sensitivity to auxin induces adventitious root formation in flooded Rumex palustris Sm

Plant Physiol.

Apoptosis-like programmed cell-death occurs in procambium and ground meristem of pea (Pisum sativum) root tips exposed to sudden flooding

Ann. Bot. (Lond.)

Ultraviolet-B radiation-mediated responses in plants. Balancing damage and protection

Plant Physiol.

Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on plants: induction of morphogenic responses

Physiol. Plant.

Der einfluss einer abgestuften dosierung von ultravioletter sonnenstrahlung auf das wachstum der pflanzen

Planta

Differential susceptibility of agricultural weeds to ultraviolet-B radiation

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Opinion
Stress-induced morphogenic responses: growing out of trouble?