Growing a glue factory: Open questions in laticifer development

Latex-containing cells called laticifers are present in at least 41 flowering plant families and are thought to have convergently evolved at least 12 times. These cells are known to function in defense, but little is known about the molecular genetic mechanisms of their development. The expansion of laticifers into their distinctive tube shape can occur through two distinct mechanisms, cell fusion and intrusive growth. The mechanism and extent of intrusive laticifer growth are still being investi-gated. Hormonal regulation by jasmonic acid and ethylene is important for both laticifer differentiation and latex biosynthesis. Current evidence suggests that laticifers can be specified independently of latex production, but extensive latex produc-tion requires specified laticifers. Laticifers are an emerging system for studying the intersection of cell identity specification and specialized metabolism.

Automated summary

Laticifers, containing latex-producing cells, are present in at least 41 flowering plant families and are believed to have evolved convergently at least 12 times. The expansion of laticifers into their distinctive tube shape can occur through two mechanisms - cell fusion and intrusive growth. Hormonal regulation by jasmonic acid and ethylene is crucial for laticifer differentiation and latex biosynthesis. Laticifers are considered to be an emerging system for studying the intersection of cell identity specification and specialized metabolism.