Minimum requirements for changing and maintaining endodermis cell identity in the Arabidopsis root ($) (Nature Plants)

Forward-genetic, loss-of-function studies have been invaluable in identifying factors necessary for the formation of the root endodermis. Drapek et al. used an ectopic expression approach to identify factors that are sufficient to produce endodermal-like cells in different root regions. They found that the combination of the key transcription factor SHR and the peptide ligand CIF2 is sufficient (in some conditions) to produce endodermis-like transcriptional and cellular responses in the subepidermal cell layers. The authors conclude that CIF2 is needed to stabilize endodermal identity. Furthermore, they showed that both positional and lineage information is required for cell fate specification.(Summary by Mary Williams )Nature Plants 10.1038/s41477-018-0213-y