Hypothesis: Plant stem cells hold the key to extreme longevity

Abstract

Theories of ageing explain how multicellular organisms age by means of an immortal germ line and a perishable soma, whereby accumulated damage is preferentially distributed to the soma. Plants do not clearly separate germline and somatic cells, which questions whether current theories of ageing are applicable to plants. Plant stem cells have germline-like features, while plant tissue that dies in a mostly seasonal manner, such as leaves and xylem, have soma-like properties. Plant stem cells may therefore hold the key to understanding how plants can reach extreme ages and we discuss model systems that may be suitable to advance the field of plant ageing.