Timing Is Everything： Highly Specific and Transient Expression of a MAP Kinase Determines Auxin-Induced Leaf Venation Patterns in Arabidopsis

Mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） cascades are universal signal transduction modules present in all eukaryotes. In plants, MAPK cascades were shown to regulate cell division, developmental processes, stress responses, and hormone pathways. The subgroup A of Arabidopsis MAPKs consists of AtMPK3, AtMPK6, and AtMPK10. AtMPK3 and AtMPK6 are activated by their upstream MAP kinase kinases （MKKs） AtMKK4 and AtMKK5 in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, they were identified as key regulators of stomatal development and patterning. AtMPKIO has long been considered as a pseudo-gene, derived from a gene duplication of AtMPK6. Here we show that AtMPKIO is expressed highly but very transiently in seedlings and at sites of local auxin maxima leaves. MPK10 encodes a functional kinase and interacts with the upstream MAP kinase kinase （MAPKK） AtMKK2. mpklO mutants are delayed in flowering in long-day conditions and in continuous light. Moreover, cotyledons of mpk10 and mkk2 mutants have reduced vein complexity, which can be reversed by inhibiting polar auxin transport （PAT）. Auxin does not affect AtMPKIO expression while treatment with the PAT inhibitor HFCA extends the expression in leaves and reverses the mpklO mutant phenotype. These results suggest that the AtMKK2-AtMPK10 MAPK module regulates venation complexity by altering PAT efficiency.

On the vein-stiffening membrane structure of a dragonfly hind wing

Aiming at exploring the excellent structural performance of the vein-stiffening membrane structure of dragonfly hind wings,we analyzed two planar computational models and three 3D computational models with cambered corrugation based on the finite element method.It is shown that the vein size in different zones is proportional to the magnitude of the vein internal force when the wing structure is subjected to uniform out-of-plane transverse loading.The membrane contributes little to the flexural stiffness of the planar wing models,while exerting an immense impact upon the stiffness of the 3D wing models with cambered corrugation.If a lumped mass of 10% of the wing is fixed on the leading edge close to the wing tip,the wing fundamental fre-quency decreases by 10.7%～13.2%;if a lumped mass is connected to the wing via multiple springs,the wing fundamental fre-quency decreases by 16.0%～18.0%.Such decrease in fundamental frequency explains the special function of the wing pterostigma in alleviating the wing quivering effect.These particular features of dragonfly wings can be mimicked in the design of new-style reticulately stiffening thin-walled roof systems and flapping wings in novel intelligent aerial vehicles.

Leaf morphogenesis:The multifaceted roles of mechanics

Plants produce a rich diversity of biological forms,and the diversity of leaves is especially notable.Mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis have been studied in the past two decades,with a growing focus on the interactive roles of mechanics in recent years.Growth of plant organs involves feedback by mechanical stress:growth induces stress,and stress affects growth and morphogenesis.Although much attention has been given to potential stress-sensing mechanisms and cellular responses,the mechanical principles guiding morphogenesis have not been well understood.Here we synthesize the overarching roles of mechanics and mechanical stress in multilevel and multiple stages of leaf morphogenesis,encompassing leaf primordium initiation,phyllotaxis and venation patterning,and the establishment of complex mature leaf shapes.Moreover,the roles of mechanics at multiscale levels,from subcellular cytoskeletal molecules to single cells to tissues at the organ scale,are articulated.By highlighting the role of mechanical buckling in the formation of three-dimensional leaf shapes,this review integrates the perspectives of mechanics and biology to provide broader insights into the mechanobiology of leaf morphogenesis.