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Evolutionary biology

Evolution of Land Plants Driven by Novel Genes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Fribourg have shed new light on the evolution of land plants, revealing that novel genes played a crucial role in enabling adaptation to water and nutrient deficiency. The research, funded by various organizations including the Swiss National Science Foundation, has provided a deeper understanding of the conserved signalling pathways that control plant development. According to the study, small secreted peptides belonging to the CLE family are essential for controlling a plethora of developmental processes in all land plants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The evolution of land plants was driven by novel genes that enabled adaptation to water and nutrient deficiency.
  • The appearance of genes encoding small peptides that move from cell to cell and activate membrane-localized receptors represented an important innovation in early land plants.
  • The CLAVATA3/EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) genes played a crucial role in plant developmental control, particularly in cell division regulation.
  • Recent advances in understanding the role of CLE signalling in bryophytes and ferns have provided deeper insights into these conserved signalling pathways.
  • The research has also identified the full repertoire of CLE genes in plant genomes and unraveled their functions.
  • The small secreted peptides belonging to the CLE family are essential for controlling a plethora of developmental processes in all land plants.
  • The study has provided an update on CLE pathways and their fundamental role in plant development.

Statistics:

  • The study has been funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), COST Swiss National Science Foundation, and Spark Swiss National Science Foundation grant.
  • The research has been conducted by researchers from the University of Fribourg, with additional support from the University of Munster and the Wuebben Appointment Accelerator Fellowship.
  • The study has been published in the Journal of Experimental Botany.
  • The CLE genes cover a range of functions in plant development, including cell division regulation, gametophyte development, and sporophyte development.
  • The research has identified 10 distinct CLE gene families in plant genomes.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Fribourg Report New Studies and Findings in the Area of Botany (Cle Pathways In Plant Development: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives). Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 6304.
  • Journal of Experimental Botany. Cle Pathways In Plant Development: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.
  • Oxford University Press. Journal of Experimental Botany. Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England. (Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/; Journal of Experimental Botany - jxb.oxfordjournals.org)

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