Orchestrating polarity in embryo: From molecular programming to geometric rules

Cell polarization is a fundamental process in establishing the body axis during plant embryogenesis. In Arabidopsis thaliana, this process encompasses the zygote asymmetry that establishes the apical-basal axis and the subsequent embryo patterning that generates the radial axis. In this review, we summarize recent advances that have transformed our understanding of these events by integrating genetic and mathematical perspectives. We first describe how the embryo repurposes conserved signaling modules to regulate axis formation. In particular, we highlight emerging evidence that early transcriptional networks initiated by parental factors not only directly regulate zygote polarization but also predetermine subsequent developmental programs. Beyond molecular genetics, we discuss how the integration of advanced live-cell imaging and computational modeling provides a powerful approach to elucidate the polar cell elongation and geometric rule underlying embryo patterning. We emphasize the synergy between these mechanisms, illustrating how genetic factors modulate cellular behaviors to direct apical-basal and radial patterning. Finally, we provide future perspectives on comparative developmental studies and emerging technologies that are poised to uncover the evolutionary principles governing plant embryogenesis.