The LFR-SWI/SNF complex: A chromatin wrench safeguarding cellular quiescence in the <i>Arabidopsis</i> root stem cell organizer

S Shuge Wang (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) J Jiayu Li M Mengmeng Li Q Qiyan Fang (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) X Xiaolei Shi (Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences) L Long Yan Q Qiang Chen X Xiaoyun Li (Department of Chemistry) M Muhammad Ans Aslam (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) H Hao Zhang X Xigang Liu (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) W Wenqiang Tang (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) S Sujuan Cui (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University) H Hongtao Zhao (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University)

Abstract

The quiescent center (QC) resides in a reversible G 0 state in which cells are not actively dividing and yet retain their proliferation competence upon stimulation. How this quiescent state is molecularly defined and stably maintained is a fascinating question. Here, we uncover a dual role for LEAF AND FLOWER RELATED (LFR), a component of the SWITCH/SUCROSE NONFERMENTABLE (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complex, in maintaining quiescence of the QC. We demonstrate that LFR is recruited to the chromatin of core transcription factors (TFs) PLETHORA 1 (PLT1), PLT2, SCARECROW (SCR), and WUSCHEL - RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX5) via physical interactions with them. Moreover, the autoregulatory binding of these TFs reciprocally requires LFR. Functioning as a chromatin wrench, LFR relaxes the chromatin at PLT1 , PLT2 , and SCR loci to sustain their positive autoregulation, thereby contributing to the prevention of QC cell division. Conversely, LFR compacts WOX5 chromatin to enforce negative autoregulation and simultaneously promotes CYCD3;3 expression to counteract WOX5-mediated repression, thus ensuring the proliferation competence of the QC. Furthermore, WOX5 throws a wrench into LFR binding at the CYCD3;3 promoter, establishing a regulatory circuit that precisely modulates CYCD3;3 expression, a D-type cyclin whose appropriate level is critical for QC quiescence. Consequently, the QC is maintained in a proliferation-competent but arrested state. Our findings establish the LFR-containing SWI/SNF complex as a key regulatory node that coordinates TF autoregulation with cell-cycle control to maintain QC quiescence.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 49
Published December 09, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (14)

S

Shuge Wang

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

J

Jiayu Li

M

Mengmeng Li

Q

Qiyan Fang

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

X

Xiaolei Shi

Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences

L

Long Yan

Q

Qiang Chen

X

Xiaoyun Li

Department of Chemistry

M

Muhammad Ans Aslam

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

H

Hao Zhang

X

Xigang Liu

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

W

Wenqiang Tang

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

S

Sujuan Cui

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University

H

Hongtao Zhao

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Research Center of the Basic Discipline of Cell Biology, Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling and Environmental Adaptation, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University