Synthetic activation of gibberellin signaling reveals spatial coordination of root growth

Abstract

Gibberellins (GAs) influence cell division and elongation, profoundly shaping plant architecture and yield. GA perception occurs when bioactive GAs bind the receptor GID1, promoting DELLA degradation and activating transcriptional programs. While GA signaling in the root endodermis is essential for promoting root elongation, functions of other layers in spatial control of GA responses have not been explored. Here, we developed a synthetic GA (sGA) that does not bind endogenous GID1, together with a modified GID1 (mGID1) engineered to selectively recognize sGA, enabling cell-specific activation of GA signaling in vivo. Using this system in Arabidopsis, we demonstrate that coordinated action of GA signaling in the endodermis, epidermis, and other layers is required for full root elongation. Moreover, cell type-specific expression of GA biosynthetic enzymes indicates the existence of intercellular GA transport. The sGA-mGID1 system provides a versatile platform for spatially precise reprogramming of hormone signaling, enabling synthetic control of developmental processes such as root-shoot growth balance, thereby advancing applications in plant synthetic biology and sustainable crop improvement.