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. 2022 Aug 26;13:906087. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.906087

Table 1.

Summary of CLE-RLK signaling.

CLE peptide RLK and/or other receptors involved Origin of the peptide Destination of the peptide/location of RLK Short-term (molecular, cellular) and long-term (tissue, organ, organism) effects
Signaling range
In the apical meristem of Marchantia
MpCLE2 Signals through MpCLV1 The apical notch but outside the central region that hosts central subapical cells The meristem with the apical and subapical cells where MpCLV1 is expressed Short-term: Inhibits differentiation of the subapical cells Long-term: Mediates accumulation of subapical cells and enables their subsequent differentiation and dichotomous branching
Paracrine signaling
MpCLE1 Signals through MpTDR The ventral part around the apical cell Dorsal part where MpTDR is expressed Short-term: Inhibits proliferation of the apical meristem Long-term: Regulates expansion of the thallus and proper formation of gametangiophores and gemma cups
Both auto- and paracrine signaling
During Physcomitrium gametophore formation
PpCLEs 1, -2, and -7 (PpCLE1 to -7) Signal through PpRPK2 and PpCLV1a and -b Different regions in the gametophores Gametophore Short-term: Initiation of formative division, maintenance of CD orientation and specification of cell fate Long-term: 1. Mediates formation of properly sized mature gametophores 2. Inhibits proliferative divisions in gametophore, thus maintaining gametophore and leaf size
PpCLE6 Protonemal filament Likely gametophore
PpCLE 3, -4, and -5 Not characterized Likely gametophore
In the SAM of Arabidopsis
CLE40 Signals through (and likely binds) BAM1 PZ of IFM and SAM PZ where BAM1 is expressed Short-term: 1. Induces WUS in the OC 2. Promotes proliferation and suppresses differentiation of stem cells Long-term: 1. Promotes SAM growth 2. Proper formation of floral organs
Likely autocrine signaling
CLV3 Binds and signals through CLV1; signals through RPK2, CLV2/CRN CZ of IFM and SAM OC where it binds and signals through CLV1 Short-term: 1. Represses WUS and its expansion into CZ 2. Suppresses proliferation of stem cells and enables their differentiation Long-term: 1. Inhibits SAM growth 2. Regulates proper formation of floral organs
Paracrine signaling
In the root apical meristem of Arabidopsis
CLE45 Binds BAM3; signals through CLV2/CRN, RPK2 PSE and SPC 1. PSE and SPC where it binds and signals through BAM3 Short-term: 1. Inhibits periclinal, formative division of SPC into proto- and metaphloem cells 2. Inhibits the acquisition of morphological changes during PSE differentiation Long-term: 1. Regulates PSE cell file formation 2. Regulates PRM development
Autocrine signaling
2. Likely CC and PPP where RPK2 is expressed Short-term: Inhibits CC and PPP differentiation into PSE Long-term: Maintains a reservoir of phloem cells with plastic identity for future needs
Likely paracrine signaling
CLE25 Signals through CIK and CLV2 In root: SPCs and its lineage; In stem: sieve elements Not characterized Short-term: Regulates periclinal, formative division of SPC into proto- and metaphloem cells Long-term: Regulates PRM development, phloem transport and starch immobilization
In the vascular meristem
CLE41 Signals through PXY Phloem Cambium where PXY is expressed Short-term: 1. Triggers proliferation of procambium/cambium by upregulating WOX4 2. Inhibits its differentiation into xylem 3. Controls orientation of procambial cell division Long-term: 1. Organized vascular patterning 2. Maintenance of stele size and radial growth of the vascular system
Paracrine signaling
PttCLE41 Likely signals through PttPXY Phloem Likely vascular cambium where PttPXY is expressed Short-term: Likely induces proliferation of cambial cells, which then differentiate into xylem cells Long-term: 1. Maintains overall secondary vascular growth and stem diameter 2. Regulates the internodal length and height of the plant
Likely paracrine signaling
PtrCLE20 Likely signals through PtrCLV2 Xylem Vascular cambium Short-term: Likely suppresses cambial cell proliferation leading to a decreased rate of xylem differentiation Long-term: Maintains overall secondary vascular growth and stem diameter 2. Regulates the internodal length and height of the plant
Paracrine signaling
CLE9 Binds BAM1; signals through BAM2 and -3 Xylem precursors, particularly of protoxylem cell file positions Likely xylem precursors of protoxylem cell file positions, where it binds and signals through BAM1, although BAM1 is broadly expressed in vascular and pericycle cells Short-term: Prevents peri- and anticlinal divisions of xylem precursors that increases xylem and procambial cell number Long-term: 1. Regulates the number of xylem and procambium cell files 2. Regulates the overall plant growth
Likely autocrine signaling
In stomatal lineage development
CLE9 Binds HSL1-SERK1, the RLK-coreceptor complex MMC, meristemoids and GCs MMC and meristemoids, where it binds and signals through HSL1 Short-term: 1. Destabilizes SPCH to prevent MMC from acquiring its identity 2. Prevents its further asymmetric divisions Long-term: Regulates the density of GCs and PCs in leaves
Likely autocrine signaling
In root nodulation
MtCLE12 and -13 Signals through MtSUNN, MtCRN Nodule primordium in root Likely shoot where MtSUNN is expressed Short-term: MtCLE13 suppresses the proliferative divisions likely right after the initial cell divisions of the cortex and pericycle Long-term: 1. Both peptides inhibit nodule primordium development 2. Decrease the nodule numbers, thus establishing N homeostasis
Likely endocrine signaling
LjCLE-RS1 and -2 Binds LjHAR1; signals through LjKLV and LjCLV2 Nodule primordium in root Shoot, likely in leaf phloem, where LjHAR1 is expressed Short-term: LjCLE-RS1 and −2 peptides negatively regulate continuous cortical cell divisions after a few rounds of initial divisions Long-term: 1. Both peptides inhibit nodule primordium development 2. Decrease the nodule numbers, thus establishing N homeostasis
Endocrine signaling
In nematode infection
HsCLEB Signals through TDR, CLV1, RPK2, CLV2/CRN Nematode esophageal gland Likely procambial cells in the root and/or the syncytial cells expressing TDR Short-term: Induces procambial proliferative divisions Long-term: Induces syncytia formation and increases rate of infection
In organ primordium and organ development
CLE26 Can bind and possibly signals through BAM1 and -2 Phloem pole of the stele in basal meristem Not characterized Short-term: Affects the PIN1 protein level in the root Long-term: 1. Alters the auxin distribution in roots 2. Regulates PR length and LR density
CLE3 Signals through CLV1 Pericycle cells in PR and LR Likely companion cells where CLV1 is expressed Short-term: Not characterized Long-term: 1. Inhibits LR emergence 2. Prevents root expansion in low N conditions
Likely paracrine signaling
CLE5 Not characterized Bases of young rosette leaves, of cauline leaves and of cotyledons of mature embryo; at both the adaxial and abaxial domains of vegetative shoot apex in developing rosette leaves Not characterized Short-term: Not characterized Long-term: Regulates leaf width and symmetry
CLE6 Not characterized Bases of young rosette leaves and floral organs; only at the adaxial domain of vegetative shoot apex in developing rosette leaves Not characterized Short-term: Not characterized Long-term: Regulates leaf width, symmetry and curvature
Not characterized CLV2/CRN Not characterized Not characterized Short-term: 1. Upregulates auxin synthesis genes in the IFM cells 2. Maintains PIN1 protein levels in the IFM cells Long-term: 1. Maintains overall auxin signaling in the IFM 2. Mediates flower primordia outgrowth and complete flower formation
CLV3 and other CLEs Signal through BAM1, -2, and -3 Not characterized Not characterized Short-term: Not characterized Long-term: 1. Mediate flower primordia outgrowth and complete flower formation
In regulation of non-developmental responses
CLE25 Signals through BAM1 and -3 Vascular procambium of, possibly, the root Leaf where BAM1 and -2 are expressed Short-term: 1. Promotes ABA synthesis 2. Enables stomatal closure Long-term: Reduces water loss and ensures overall survival of the plant during water deficiency
Endocrine signaling
CLE9 Not characterized Stomatal GCs Likely the stomatal GCs Short-term: 1. Activates MPK3,−6 2. Enables stomatal closure by signaling through effectors, such as, ABA, NO, H2O2 Long-term: Prevents excessive water loss, thus conferring resistance to drought stress
Likely autocrine signaling
MtCLE53 Signals through MtSUNN Vascular tissue with increased expression near colonization sites Not characterized (MtCLE53/-33) Short-term: 1. Upregulates MtSUNN 2. Suppresses the expression of strigolactone biosynthetic genes (MtCLE53/-33) Long-term: Suppresses excessive AM fungal colonization thus attaining Pi homeostasis
MtCLE33 Signals through MtSUNN Vascular tissue with strong expression in pericycle and xylem parenchyma (no change due to colonization) Not characterized
RiCLE1 Not characterized Fungi colonizing the root Likely the epidermal and cortical cells Short-term: Not characterized Long-term: 1. Modulates root architecture by promoting PR and LR branching 2. Promotes the entry and spread of the fungi
CLE45 Binds SKM1 and signals through SKM1 and -2 Stigma of the pistil at 22°C and expanded to the transmitting tract where pollen elongates at 30°C Pollen where it binds SKM1 Short-term: Retains mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity at high temperature, thus prolonging pollen viability 2. Sustains pollen performance and increases the chances of pollen tubes reaching the ovules Long-term: Ensures stable seed production
Paracrine signaling

The list of CLE peptides and RLKs and other receptors they bind and/or signal through, their signaling range, the origin of the peptide and its destination where it exerts its effect, the short- and long-term effects covering the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism levels. ABA, abscisic acid; AM, arbuscular mycorrhiza; BAM, BARELY ANY MERISTEM; CC, companion cells; CD, cell division; CIK, CLAVATA3 INSENSITIVE RECEPTOR KINASES; CLE, CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED; CRN, CORYNE; CLV, CLAVATA; CZ, central zone; GC, guard cell; HSL, HAESA-LIKE 1; IFM, inflorescence meristem; LR, lateral root; MMC, meristemoid mother cell; MPK, MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE; OC, organizing center; PC, pavement cell; PIN, PIN-FORMED; PPP, phloem pole pericycle; PRM, proximal root meristem; PSE, protophloem sieve element; PXY, PHLOEM INTERCALATED WITH XYLEM; PZ, peripheral zone; RLK, receptor-like kinase; RPK2, RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE 2; SAM, shoot apical meristem; SKM, STERILITY-REGULATING KINASE MEMBER; SPC, sieve element precursor cell; SPCH, SPEECHLESS; SERK, SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE; SUNN, SUPER NUMERIC NODULES; TDR, TDIF RECEPTOR; WOX, WUSCHEL-related HOMEOBOX 4; WUS, WUSCHEL. The name of the CLE peptide, its signaling range and the long term effects it mediates are described in bold letters.