Trichome development of systemic developing leaves is regulated by a nutrient sensor-relay mechanism within mature leaves.

Abstract

Trichome initiation and development is regulated by a diverse range of environmental signals. However, how leaf carbohydrate status determines the trichome initiation and development of systemic developing leaves remains unclear. Here, we found that a specific organ (such as a mature leaf) could function as a nutrient sensor, subsequently promoting or suppressing nonautonomous regulation of trichome initiation and development in response to alternations in nutrient levels. This physical phenomenon was regulated by a sucrose ⟶ ACS7 ⟶ ethylene ⟶ EIN3 ⟶ SUC4 ⟶ sucrose pathway in mature leaves, with a remote control of trichome production in newly developing leaves via a sucrose ⟶ ACS7 ⟶ ethylene ⟶ EIN3 ⟶ TTG1 pathway. These data provide insights into how mature leaves function as nutrient sensors that control trichome formation within distant developing leaves through a nutrient sensor-relay mechanism. Our findings uncover both a previously unidentified, nutrient sensing-regulatory mechanism and the cognate underpinning molecular architecture.