Overexpression of ATG8/LC3 enhances wound-induced somatic reprogramming in Physcomitrium patens

Animal and plant somatic cells have the capacity to switch states or reprogram into stem cells to adapt during stress and injury. This ability to deal with stochastic changes or reprogramming of somatic cells also needs macroautophagy/autophagy. Here, we expand on this notion and provide a primary example of how overexpression of ATG8/LC3 in the moss Physcomitrium patens enhances the ability to reprogram somatic cells into stem cells when subjected to severe wounding. This observation suggests that autophagy is not only required for cells to dedifferentiate but also makes cells more competent to do so. Abbreviations: ATG: autophagy related; atg5: AUTOPHAGY 5; ATG8/LC3: AUTOPHAGY 8/microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; GFP: green fluorescent protein