Jacalin-induced cell proliferation during tissue-repair process in partially incised flowering stems of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract

Stem wounding is one of the most common abiotic stresses affecting plant development and productivity. During tissue-repair process of partially incised flowering stems of Arabidopsis thaliana, wounded tissues heal by a cascade of processes including tissue adhesion, cell dedifferentiation, cell proliferation, and subsequently tissue redifferentiation leading to the formation of new differentiated tissue. Cell proliferation is a key process in the recovery of wounded tissues. Nonetheless, the mechanisms regulating the initiation of cell proliferation remain elusive. In this study, we identified that jacalin, a lectin derived from the seeds of jackfruits (Artocarpus integrifolia), plays a role in inducing cell proliferation. Adding jacalin on the incision gap of the incised stem caused enhanced cell proliferation. One of A. thaliana JACALIN-RELATED LECTINS, JAL34, was highly expressed especially at 1 to 5 days after incision (DAI). Histological analysis of the defected mutant of jal34 showed an inactive cell proliferation. Our results suggest that JAL34 is involved in initiating cell proliferation during tissue-repair process.