RSL4 Regulatory Network Acts as an Early Driver of Root Hair Growth at Low Temperature in Arabidopsis Thaliana

The study identifies a gene regulatory network (GRN) that controls the early response of root hair (RH) growth to low temperatures in Arabidopsis thaliana. This GRN is regulated by specific transcription factors, including ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 6-LIKE 4 (RSL4), AtHB13, GTL1, and a newly identified MYB-like TF (AT2G01060). The research also pinpoints four downstream targets of RSL4—AtHB16, AtHB23, ERD7, and ERD10—that are suggested to play roles in RH development under low-temperature conditions. Functional analysis indicates that these components of the RSL4-dependent transcriptional cascade are influential in the RH growth response to low temperature, providing insight into how plants coordinate RH growth with environmental temperature and nutrient availability changes.