Mutual inhibition between EPFL2 and auxin extends the intervals of periodic leaf morphogenesis

Toshiaki Tameshige, Takeshi Tsuchida, Yuuki Matsushita, Yuki Doll, Kaisei Maruyama, Takemoto Agui, Mitsuhiro Aida, Hiroyuki Kasahara, Keiko U. Torii, Naoyuki Uchida, Koichi Fujimoto and Momoko Ikeuchi ()
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Toshiaki Tameshige: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Takeshi Tsuchida: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Yuuki Matsushita: Higashi-Hiroshima
Yuki Doll: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Kaisei Maruyama: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Takemoto Agui: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Mitsuhiro Aida: Kumamoto University
Hiroyuki Kasahara: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Keiko U. Torii: Nagoya University
Naoyuki Uchida: Nagoya University
Koichi Fujimoto: Higashi-Hiroshima
Momoko Ikeuchi: Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Rules behind the spatial arrangement of repetitive modules are key principles of multicellular morphogenesis. In plant shoots, PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1)-mediated polar auxin transport instructs periodic formation of auxin maxima, which develop into lateral organs or leaf serrations. However, it remains unknown how the intervals of regularly arising auxin maxima are controlled. Here we show that a cysteine rich peptide EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-LIKE 2 (EPFL2) dose-dependently determines the intervals of auxin maxima during serration formation in leaf primordia. EPFL2 constitutes a mutually repressive relationship with cellular auxin response, thereby produces bistable states. Based on our computational simulations, we propose that the bistability modulates the periodicity of PIN1-mediated auxin maxima formation. Moreover, EPFL2 ensures precise phyllotactic angles, underscoring the general role of EPFL2 in auxin-mediated shoot patterning. This study illustrates that the intercoupling between EPFL2-auxin bistable module and PIN1-mediated polar auxin transport underpins versatile periodicity in auxin maxima formation during shoot development.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65792-y

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