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Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2003; 5(5): 465-472
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-44780
Review Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Between Xylem and Phloem: The Genetic Control of Cambial Activity in Plants

Y. Helariutta 1 , R. Bhalerao 2
  • 1Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • 2Umeå Plant Science Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 November 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Post-embryonic development is controlled by two types of meristems: apical and lateral. There has been considerable progress recently in understanding the function of root and shoot apical meristems at the molecular level. Knowledge of analogous processes in the lateral, or secondary, meristems, i.e. the vascular cambium or cork cambium, is, however, rudimentary. This is despite the fact that much of the diversity in the plant kingdom is based on the differential functions of these meristems, emphasizing the importance of lateral meristems in the development of different plant forms. The vascular cambium is particularly important for woody plants, but it also plays an important role during the development of various herbaceous species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana. In this review, we focus on the two basic functions of cambial activity: cell proliferation and pattern formation.

Key words

Lateral meristem - vascular development - auxin - cytokinin - pattern formation.

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Y. Helariutta

Institute of Biotechnology

P.O. Box 56

FIN-00014 University of Helsinki

Finland

Email: yhelariu@operoni.helsinki.fi

Section Editor: L. A. C. J. Voesenek