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CLAVATA signalling shapes barley inflorescence by controlling activity and determinacy of shoot meristem and rachilla

Author

Listed:
  • Isaia Vardanega

    (Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Jan Eric Maika

    (Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Edgar Demesa-Arevalo

    (Heinrich-Heine University
    Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Tianyu Lan

    (Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Gwendolyn K. Kirschner

    (Heinrich-Heine University
    Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Jafargholi Imani

    (Justus Liebig University)

  • Ivan F. Acosta

    (Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research)

  • Katarzyna Makowska

    (Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Götz Hensel

    (Michigan State University)

  • Thilanka Ranaweera

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Shin-Han Shiu

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Thorsten Schnurbusch

    (Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
    Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)

  • Maria von Korff

    (Heinrich-Heine University
    Heinrich-Heine University)

  • Rüdiger Simon

    (Heinrich-Heine University)

Abstract

The large variety of inflorescence architectures evolved in grasses depends on shape, longevity and determinacy of meristems directing growth of the main and lateral axes. The CLAVATA pathway is known to regulate meristem size and inflorescence architecture in grasses. However, how individual meristem activities are determined and integrated to generate specific inflorescences is not yet understood. We found that activity of distinct meristems in the barley inflorescence is controlled by a signalling pathway comprising the receptor-like kinase Hordeum vulgare CLAVATA1 (HvCLV1) and the secreted CLAVATA3/EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION RELATED (CLE)-family peptide FON2-LIKE CLE PROTEIN1 (HvFCP1). HvFCP1 and HvCLV1 interact to promote spikelet formation, but restrict inflorescence meristem and rachilla proliferation. Hvfcp1 or Hvclv1 mutants generate additional rows of spikelets and supernumerary florets from extended rachilla activity. HvFCP1/HvCLV1 signalling coordinates meristem activity through regulation of trehalose-6-phosphate levels. Our discoveries outline a path to engineer inflorescence architecture via specific regulation of distinct meristem activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaia Vardanega & Jan Eric Maika & Edgar Demesa-Arevalo & Tianyu Lan & Gwendolyn K. Kirschner & Jafargholi Imani & Ivan F. Acosta & Katarzyna Makowska & Götz Hensel & Thilanka Ranaweera & Shin-Han Shi, 2025. "CLAVATA signalling shapes barley inflorescence by controlling activity and determinacy of shoot meristem and rachilla," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59330-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59330-z
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