Molecular Basis of Axis and Signals in Plant Development

植物轴的形成和维持受生长因子如植物激素的长距离信号和质外体和共质体的短距离信号控制。本研究旨在通过对植物轴的形成/维持和信号系统的综合分析，阐明植物轴发育的分子机制。因此，在过去的6年中，我们成功地发现了各种信号分子和控制植物轴形成/维持的关键因素。我们确定了各种基因参与的顶基轴的形成，顶端分生组织的形成，侧部器官，如叶，花和侧根的形成，和近轴-远轴，近端-远端和左右的身份。此外，它们的基因网络也被揭示出来。出乎意料的结果是，该项目的成员阐明了与植物发育相关的表观遗传基因调控。关于细胞间信号传导，该项目的成员发现了许多新的信号分子。特别是，涉及开花的FD/FT蛋白、在维管组织的连续形成中起作用的木质素（阿拉伯半乳聚糖蛋白）和抑制分生组织或木质部发育的十二-CLE肽的发现在国际上享有很高声誉。另一个重要的结果是发现FT蛋白而不是FT mRNA作为信号通过韧皮部从叶片移动到茎分生组织。细胞分裂素信号系统的阐明也是我们的一个重要结果。此外，一位成员最近发现了一种新的酶，其在细胞分裂素激活中起作用，并控制分生组织的形成和维持。上述结果发表在约630篇论文中。

The formation and maintenance of plant axis are controlled both by long-distance signaling of growth factors such as plant hormones and by apoplastic and symplastic short-distance signaling. In this study, we aimed at elucidation of molecular mechanism underlying development through integrated analysis of the formation/maintenance of plant axis and signaling systems. As a result, we succeeded in discovery of various signaling molecules and key factors governing plant axis formation/maintenance during the past 6 years. We identified various genes involved in the formation of apical-basal axis, apical meristem formation, the formation of lateral organs such as leaves, flowers and lateral roots, and adaxial-abaxial, proximal-distal and left-right identities. Furthermore their gene networks were also revealed. As unexpected results, members of this project clarified epigenetic gene regulations associated with plant development. As regards intercellular signaling, a number of novel signaling molecules were discovered by members of this project. In particular, the discoveries of FD/FT proteins involved in flowering, xylogen (an arabinogalactan protein) functioning in continuous formation of vascular tissues, and dodeca-CLE peptides repressing meristem or xylem development are highly reputed internationally. Another significant result is the finding that it is FT protein but not FT mRNA that moves from leaves to shoot meristem as a signal through the phloem. The elucidation of signaling systems of cytokinins was also an important result of ours. In addition, a member recently found a novel enzyme that functions in cytokinin activation, and controls in meristem formation and maintenance. Aforementioned results were published in approximately 630 papers.