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Root system patterning: auxin synthesis at the root periphery.
1Department of Botany and Plant Science, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|June 3, 2015
Summary
Plant root development involves a root clock mechanism controlling hormone auxin production. This study identifies a key component linking the clock to auxin, influencing plant form plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant form plasticity arises from differential development of pre-patterns postembryonically.
- Oscillatory transcriptional mechanisms, like the root clock, establish developmental pre-patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between the root clock's output and cell-type-specific auxin production.
- To identify downstream genetic components involved in elaborating root developmental pre-patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transcriptional output from the root clock.
- Assays for cell-type-specific plant hormone (auxin) production.
- Genetic screens to identify downstream components.
Main Results:
- The study establishes a direct connection between the root clock's activity and auxin biosynthesis in specific root cell types.
- A novel downstream component essential for translating the root clock's pre-pattern into cellular elaboration has been identified.
Conclusions:
- The root clock's output is directly integrated with auxin production pathways to regulate postembryonic organ development.
- Understanding this clock-auxin-component interaction provides new insights into the genetic control of plant form plasticity.