A receptor-like mechanosensitive protein governs preprophase band positioning for asymmetric cell divisions and SC morphogenesis

Z Zhikun Duan (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) W Wenwen Duan (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) Z Zihao Zhang (Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration and Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology and Department of Implantology, Shanghai Tongji Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University) K Kaiwen Li (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) S Suting Wang (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) J Jiapeng Yang (Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University) B Baolin Xiao (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) T Tian Zhang (Division of Hematology‐Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA) J Jianchao Ma (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) B Baozhu Li (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) P Pengtao Wang (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) Y Yi Cao D David W. Galbraith (School of Plant Sciences and Bio5 Institute, The University of Arizona) A Alistair M. Hetherington (School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol) J Jingjing Xing (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) S Siyi Guo (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University) C Chun-Peng Song (State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University)

Abstract

Asymmetric cell division underpins cellular diversity in multicellular plants. These divisions are mechanosensitive, and preprophase band (PPB) formation hinges on cell-wall mechanical properties in plant cells. Yet, the spatial control mechanism governing this process in plants remains elusive. During grass stomatal development, mechanical cues originate from differential growth rates and cell wall modifications at the interface of guard mother cell/subsidiary mother cell (SMC). In this work, we have identified a maize receptor-like protein, KAI1, that functions as a master regulator of subsidiary cell formation within the stomatal complex. KAI1 governs division-plane orientation in SMCs through mechanochemical signaling: It perceives cell wall rigidity via pectin interaction, and subsequently recruits tubulin for PPB positioning, thereby directing division-plane specification. This work uncovers a plant-unique mechanosensitive protein that mediates extracellular matrix cues to cytoskeletal reorganization during asymmetric division for cell diversity. Our findings establish that KAI1 governs a cell wall mechanics-dependent PPB positioning to control the exact division plane alignment of the SMC. This mechanism subsequently mediates the regulation of SMC polarization and subsidiary cell morphogenesis during stomatal development.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 26
Published June 30, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (17)

Z

Zhikun Duan

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

W

Wenwen Duan

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

Z

Zihao Zhang

Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration and Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology and Department of Implantology, Shanghai Tongji Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University

K

Kaiwen Li

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

S

Suting Wang

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

J

Jiapeng Yang

Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University

B

Baolin Xiao

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

T

Tian Zhang

Division of Hematology‐Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA

J

Jianchao Ma

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

B

Baozhu Li

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

P

Pengtao Wang

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

Y

Yi Cao

D

David W. Galbraith

School of Plant Sciences and Bio5 Institute, The University of Arizona

A

Alistair M. Hetherington

School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol

J

Jingjing Xing

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

S

Siyi Guo

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University

C

Chun-Peng Song

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University