Discovery of the switch that activate plant stem cells

August 5, 2025

Unraveling the mechanism behind the onset of radial growth

A collaborative research group comprising scientists from Osaka University, the University of Tokyo, Kobe University, Nagoya University, the RIKEN CSRS, Teikyo University, and Akita Prefectural University has uncovered a new mechanism by which plant stem cells are activated prior to the thickening of roots.

Most dicot seed plants, such as trees, first grow vertically by elongating their roots and stems, and then undergo radial (lateral) growth to thicken these structures, thereby establishing a stable body architecture. While it has been known that radial growth is driven by the repeated division of stem cells, the precise mechanism that triggers the onset of this growth remained unclear. In this study, the research group identified that a transient surge in the response to cytokinin—a type of plant hormone—acts as a “switch” that activated dormant stem cells and initiates radial growth. This discovery sheds light on how plants acquire the ability to “expand in thickness”, marking the starting point of this developmental transition. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of plants with enhanced wood production and environmental adaptability.

 

Original article

Nature Plants　doi: 10.1038/s41477-025-02051-4

S. Shimadzu, T. Yonekura, T. Furuya, M. Kojima, K. Ishizaki, M. Asahina, K. Ohashi-Ito, H. Sakakibara, H. Fukaki, H. Fukuda, Y. Kondo,

"A cytokinin response maximum induces and activates bifacial stem cells for radial growth".

Contact

Hitoshi Sakakibara; Senior Visiting Scientist
Mikiko Kojima; Technical Scientist
Mass Spectrometry and Microscopy Unit