Post-translational modifications drive plant cell differentiation

The complex plant body is created by means of an elaborate system that dictates the differentiation of cells with distinctive features as well as proper growth and development. We have reviewed the literature-reported experimental evidence for post-translational modifications (PTM)s that modulate plant differentiation. We found that phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, acetylation, and methylation are associated with plant differentiation. Phosphorylation mediated by MAPK within cytoplasm and nucleus facilitates plant differentiation. Convergence between phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and deacetylation is displayed in transcription repressor complexes modulating stem daughter, germ cell, and leaf differentiation. Reversible phosphorylation and deubiquitination made the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of PIN auxin transporters which supported the precise PIN-mediated auxin transport dynamic. The participation of several PTM types during plant cell differentiation suggests a new layer in the plant cell differentiation process. Efforts to develop deep mass spectrometry-based PTM identification could facilitate deciphering the interconnection of the variety of PTMs in this field.