Leaf Morphogenesis: Insights From the Moss Physcomitrium patens

• Main Authors: Wenye Lin, Ying Wang, Yoan Coudert, Daniel Kierzkowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-09-01
• Series: Frontiers in Plant Science
• Subjects: Physcomitrum patens; Physcomitrella patens; leaf; heteroblasty; bryophytes; development
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.736212/full

Specialized photosynthetic organs have appeared several times independently during the evolution of land plants. Phyllids, the leaf-like organs of bryophytes such as mosses or leafy liverworts, display a simple morphology, with a small number of cells and cell types and lack typical vascular tissue which contrasts greatly with flowering plants. Despite this, the leaf structures of these two plant types share many morphological characteristics. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of leaf morphogenesis in the model moss Physcomitrium patens, focusing on the underlying cellular patterns and molecular regulatory mechanisms. We discuss this knowledge in an evolutionary context and identify parallels between moss and flowering plant leaf development. Finally, we propose potential research directions that may help to answer fundamental questions in plant development using moss leaves as a model system.