Laboratory of Plant Development
Graduate School of Science
Professor

Tatsuo KAKIMOTO

kakimoto

Associate Professor

QIAN, Pingping

qianpp2013

Assistant Professor

Shinobu TAKADA

shinobu̲takada

URL: https://www.bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp/bio̲web/lab̲page/cell̲physiol/sitepg/

Formation of multicellular plant body
is a self-organization processes that
depends on genetic information. We
are investigating the mechanisms ofplant morphogenesis and development.
Lateral root formation

The first step of lateral root formation is
spontaneous formation of auxin peaks inthe pericycle and asymmetric cell division
in response to auxin. We have identified
dimers of bHLH transcription factors(PFA/PFB) that govern these uniquefeatures of pericycle (Figure 1). We are
examining how these bHLHs confer stemcell like features of the pericycle. We arealso working on how primordial patternformation is initiated by intercellularcommunication.
Vascular formation

Positional signals that direct
cell fate decision in plants̶
How do plant cells recognize
their position?

n the development of multicellularorganisms, different types of cells
are generated and arranged in a regularpattern. However, many ofthe mechanisms by which each cellrecognizes its own position anddifferentiates into an appropriate cell typeremain a mystery. In ourlaboratory, Assistant Professor Shinobu
Takada and his colleagues are focusing on
the epidermis, which is formed onlyin the outermost layer of plants, to identify
and analyze the sensor proteinsthat recognize the outermost location andthe signal transduction pathways
that lead to epidermal differentiation.

The vascular system consists of a regulararrangement of xylem, phloem, andintervening procambium cells. We
investigate transcription factors andintercellular signaling molecules that create
the vascular cell pattern.

Mechanisms regulating themorphology and dynamics oforganelles

Growth regulation in response
to environmental stresses

When we see the inside of the plant cells,various organelles are dynamically movingaround. We are trying to elucidate themolecular mechanisms that regulate themorphology and dynamics of organelles byusing fluorescence and luminescenceimaging and proteomic analysis.

Plants live in changing environments with avariety of stresses, including drought,
temperature, nutrient environments, andpathogens. Plants cope with stresses byregulating their growth. We investigate how
plants manage the trade-off between stressresponses and their growth. We are alsointerested in evolution of ecotypes withaltered environmental responses.

PFAPFB

標的遺伝子の転写制御

内鞘細胞の側根原基形成能力
内鞘細胞

Figure 1. The PFA/PFB transcription factor dimers
control the competence of the pericycle toundergo formation of the lateral root primordium.
Left, Pericycle spontaneously creates auxin peaks,
and undergo asymmetric cell division culminating in
the formation of a lateral root primordium. ThePFA/PFB dimers govern these unique features ofpericycle.

The laboratory is a place to discover
new things. An important thing is tohave your own idea. I hope you willenjoy research life.

Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate School of Science, Osaka University
1-1, Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka
560-0043, Japan
TEL&FAX: +81-6-6850-5421
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