Dissecting the complexity of local and systemic circadian communication in plants

Abstract

The plant circadian clock regulates daily and seasonal rhythms of key biological processes, from growth and development to metabolism and physiology. Recent circadian research is moving beyond whole plants to specific cells, tissues, and organs. In this review, we summarize our understanding of circadian organization in plants, with a focus on communication and synchronization between circadian oscillators, also known as circadian coupling. We describe the different strengths of intercellular coupling and highlight recent advances supporting interorgan communication. Experimental and mathematical evidence suggests that plants precisely balance both the circadian autonomy of individual cellular clocks and synchronization between neighboring cells and across distal tissues and organs. This complex organization has probably evolved to optimize the specific functions of each cell type, tissue, or organ while sustaining global circadian coordination. Circadian coordination may be essential for proper regulation of growth, development, and responses to specific environmental conditions.