Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 218-228 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 218 Systematic Review Open Access Molecular Mechanisms of Cambium Formation and Activity Maintenance: A Systematic Review of the Collaborative Regulation of Tree Stem Cells in Growth, Development, and Environmental Adaptation Yongquan Lu , Yixuan He, Xuze Wang, Faustin Mutudi Tshibunga State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: luyongquan@zafu.edu.cn Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0021 Received: 08 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 13 Sep., 2024 Published: 21 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Lu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Lu Y.Q., He Y.X., Wang Z.X., and Tshibunga F.M., 2024, Molecular mechanisms of cambium formation and activity maintenance: a systematic review of the collaborative regulation of tree stem cells in growth, development, and environmental adaptation, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(5): 218-228 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0021) Abstract Seasonal changes and environmental conditions, especially temperature, significantly affect cambium activation and wood formation, affecting tree growth and adaptation. Advanced genetic and epigenome analyses have revealed the importance of DNA methylation and miRNA in regulating cambium activity. The synergistic regulation of cambium activity involves a multifaceted network of genetic, hormonal, and environmental interactions, and understanding these mechanisms provides valuable insights into tree growth and development, with important implications for forestry management and climate change adaptation. This study synthesizes findings from a variety of related studies highlighting the complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors in cambium regulation. Through the identification of specific genes and signaling pathways regulating auxin homeostasis such as MADS-box genes VCM1 and VCM2, the molecular regulation of secondary growth was further clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cambium formation and activity maintenance in trees, focusing on the synergistic regulation of tree stem cells in growth, development and environmental adaptation. Keywords Cambium; Secondary growth; Phytohormones; Gene regulation; Environmental adaptation 1 Introduction The cambium is a critical meristematic tissue in trees responsible for secondary growth, which leads to the thickening of stems and roots. This tissue is composed of stem cells that divide to produce secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem (bast) (Fischer et al., 2019; Turley and Etchells, 2021). The cambium's activity is essential for the formation of wood, which constitutes a significant portion of the world's biomass (Turley and Etchells, 2021). The regulation of cambial growth involves complex interactions between genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors (Savidge, 2001; Groover and Robischon, 2006; Ursache et al., 2013). Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending how trees grow, develop, and adapt to their environments. Studying cambium formation and activity maintenance is vital for several reasons. Firstly, it provides insights into the fundamental processes of plant growth and development, particularly in woody plants (Groover and Robischon, 2006; Turley and Etchells, 2021). Secondly, the cambium's role in wood production has significant ecological and economic implications, as wood is a major renewable resource (Etchells et al., 2015; Turley and Etchells, 2021). Additionally, understanding how environmental factors such as temperature and seasonal changes influence cambial activity can help predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems (Begum et al., 2013; Chen et al., 2021). Moreover, advances in genetic and molecular research on cambium regulation can lead to improved tree breeding and biotechnology applications, enhancing wood production and quality (Agustí et al., 2011; Etchells et al., 2015). This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying cambium formation and activity maintenance in trees, which includes exploring the genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that regulate cambial stem cell dynamics and secondary growth. By synthesizing current knowledge and recent discoveries, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative regulation of tree stem cells in growth, development, and environmental adaptation and discusses potential areas for future research and applications in forestry and biotechnology.
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