Skip to main content
Log in

Spatiotemporal asymmetric auxin distribution: a means to coordinate plant development

  • Review
  • Published:
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

The plant hormone auxin plays crucial roles in regulating plant growth development, including embryo and root patterning, organ formation, vascular tissue differentiation and growth responses to environmental stimuli. Asymmetric auxin distribution patterns have been observed within tissues, and these so-called auxin gradients change dynamically during different developmental processes. Most auxin is synthesized in the shoot and distributed directionally throughout the plant. This polar auxin transport is mediated by auxin influx and efflux facilitators, whose subcellular polar localizations guide the direction of auxin flow. The polar localization of PIN auxin efflux carriers changes in response to developmental and external cues in order to channel auxin flow in a regulated manner for organized growth. Auxin itself modulates the expression and subcellular localization of PIN proteins, contributing to a complex pattern of feedback regulation. Here we review the available information mainly from studies of a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, on the generation of auxin gradients, the regulation of polar auxin transport and further downstream cellular events.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Friml.

Additional information

Received 10 March 2006; received after revision 26 June 2006; accepted 9 August 2006

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tanaka, H., Dhonukshe, P., Brewer, P.B. et al. Spatiotemporal asymmetric auxin distribution: a means to coordinate plant development. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63, 2738–2754 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6116-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6116-5

Keywords.

Navigation