Local, efflux-dependent auxin gradients as a common module for plant organ formation

Cell. 2003 Nov 26;115(5):591-602. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00924-3.

Abstract

Plants, compared to animals, exhibit an amazing adaptability and plasticity in their development. This is largely dependent on the ability of plants to form new organs, such as lateral roots, leaves, and flowers during postembryonic development. Organ primordia develop from founder cell populations into organs by coordinated cell division and differentiation. Here, we show that organ formation in Arabidopsis involves dynamic gradients of the signaling molecule auxin with maxima at the primordia tips. These gradients are mediated by cellular efflux requiring asymmetrically localized PIN proteins, which represent a functionally redundant network for auxin distribution in both aerial and underground organs. PIN1 polar localization undergoes a dynamic rearrangement, which correlates with establishment of auxin gradients and primordium development. Our results suggest that PIN-dependent, local auxin gradients represent a common module for formation of all plant organs, regardless of their mature morphology or developmental origin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Polarity / genetics
  • Cotyledon / cytology
  • Cotyledon / growth & development
  • Cotyledon / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Plant Roots / cytology
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Structures / cytology
  • Plant Structures / growth & development*
  • Plant Structures / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • PIN1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins