摘要
The shoot apical meristem （SAM）, which produces all the aerial parts of the plant, plays a major role in the establish- ment of plant architecture. In many higher plants, the SAM has a stereotypic organization in zones with different func- tions. At the summit of the dome-shaped meristem is a popu- lation of stem cells （called the central zone）, required for meristem maintenance. Part of the cells produced by the central zone will enter a differentiation pathway and their descendants will serve as founders for the stems and lateral organs at the meristem periphery （or peripheral zone）. During the last decades, much of the research on the SAM has focused on three major signaling cascades required for its function：
The shoot apical meristem （SAM）, which produces all the aerial parts of the plant, plays a major role in the establish- ment of plant architecture. In many higher plants, the SAM has a stereotypic organization in zones with different func- tions. At the summit of the dome-shaped meristem is a popu- lation of stem cells （called the central zone）, required for meristem maintenance. Part of the cells produced by the central zone will enter a differentiation pathway and their descendants will serve as founders for the stems and lateral organs at the meristem periphery （or peripheral zone）. During the last decades, much of the research on the SAM has focused on three major signaling cascades required for its function：
