Cell wall–derived mechanical signals control cell growth and division during root development
Organogenesis emerges from the interplay between genetic and physical interactions within a growing cellular system. While numerous studies have explored how genetic and molecular networks regulate cell activity, the impact of physical interactions and the resulting mechanical constraints on organ development remains poorly understood. In this study, we combine extensive genetic analysis, live imaging, and mechanical measurements with spatiotemporal computational modeling to show that, in the <i>Arabidopsis</i> root, changes in the mechanical properties of elongating cell walls influence growth and division rate of neighboring meristematic cells, thereby shaping root development. We propose that the cell wall serves as a crucial source of both autonomous and nonautonomous mechanical signals, providing a compelling example of how mechanical forces contribute to organ growth and development.
Authors
- Federico Vinciarelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6300-789X)
- Elena Salvi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8481-425X)
- M. Marconi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3457-1384)
- Krzysztof Wabnik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7263-0560)
- Giancarlo Ruocco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2762-9533)
- Riccardo Di Mambro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1243-7395)
- Claudia Testi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0556-975X)
- Paolo Costantino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9166-2194)
- Raffaele Dello Ioio
- Mariana Sotelo-Silveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6790-0658)
- Gaia Bertolotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0572-9434)
- Noemi Svolacchia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0287-1526)
- Sabrina Sabatini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9691-6595)
- Alessio Terenzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9970-049X)
- Michela De Nittis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4709-7099)
- Julian Elijah Politsch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7558-4459)
Institutions
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Universidad de la República de Uruguay (UY)
- Italian Institute of Technology (IT)
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (ES)
- Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (ES)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Published
- 2025-12-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aea8647
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.75