A New Study Reveals How Stomata and Cuticles Coordinate During Plant Development

Stomata, gateways for carbon dioxide entry and water evaporation, and cuticles, physical barriers for preventing water loss, are pivotal features of plant terrestrialization. How do they coordinate during plant development? We found that the inhibition of cutin biosynthesis transcription factor MYB16 in the early stomatal lineage is required to maintain the proper structure and biomechanics in the cuticular layer, thus correctly placing the polarity complex for proper stomatal patterning during leaf morphogenesis. This work illustrated the mechanisms by which biochemical signaling and mechanical properties are integrated to form a functional tissue and cell elasticity driving polarity and cell fate in stomatal patterning.