The cell wall controls stem cell fate

Plants are immobile and their cells are contained within cell walls, yet they demonstrate vast post-embryonic developmental plasticity. Evidence shows that the fate of the cell is likely determined by its location within the plant, but the specific mechanisms and pathways involved are currently unknown. Zerin et al. investigated the cell wall signaling pathways that control cell fate in the Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem, showing that the transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) modulates levels of pectin methyltransferases (PMEs) in stem cells. They demonstrated that WUS is responsible for stem cell differentiation and associated cell wall modifications. PMEs, controlled by WUS, modify cell wall properties, and low levels are this enzyme are required for aspects of cell differentiation, including auxin patterning and maintenance of stem cell-specific expression profiles. This work directly connects modulation of the cell wall and its properties with cell differentiation in the shoot apical meristem. Whether the processes documented here are more based in biochemical or mechanical interactions is still to be determined, but this evidence has greatly furthered our understanding of cell fate. (Summary by Elise Krespan) bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.19