Conserved Networks in Lateral Root Formation

Lateral root initiation and lateral root formation are complex developmental processes requiring a fine-tuned regulation by multiple molecular players. At least for Arabidopsis thaliana, this controlling network is well characterized. As such, major achievements in the lateral root knowledge were gained by the use of transcriptomics on lateral root inducing cells or tissues. Much less is known about about the lateral root regulatory network in other plants or crops, or the general translatibility of the current root development knowledge. Here, we report on lateral root inititiation and formation transcriptomes of Oryza sativa (rice) and Medicago truncatula. By applying Lateral Root Inducible Systems, similar as previously was done for Arabidopsis thaliana, we were able to create comparable datasets for the three species. Comparative transcriptomics revealed some (partially) strongly conserved and less conserved networks, which are discussed here, and which shed new insights on the translatibility of the Arabidopsis knowledge to other species.