Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
TOR acts as a metabolic gatekeeper for auxin-dependent lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Michael Stitz1, David Kuster1, Maximilian Reinert1
1Center for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Plant organogenesis requires matching the available metabolic resources to developmental programs. In Arabidopsis, the root system is determined by primary root-derived lateral roots (LRs), and adventitious roots (ARs) formed from non-root organs. Lateral root formation entails the auxin-dependent activation of transcription factors ARF7, ARF19, and LBD16. Adventitious root formation relies on LBD16 activation by auxin and WOX11. The allocation of shoot-derived sugar to the roots influences branching, but how its availability is sensed for LRs formation remains unknown. We combine metabolic profiling with cell-specific interference to show that LRs switch to glycolysis and consume carbohydrates. The target-of-rapamycin (TOR) kinase is activated in the lateral root domain. Interfering with TOR kinase blocks LR initiation while promoting AR formation. The target-of-rapamycin inhibition marginally affects the auxin-induced transcriptional response of the pericycle but attenuates the translation of ARF19, ARF7, and LBD16. TOR inhibition induces WOX11 transcription in these cells, yet no root branching occurs as TOR controls LBD16 translation. TOR is a central gatekeeper for root branching that integrates local auxin-dependent pathways with systemic metabolic signals, modulating the translation of auxin-induced genes.
More Related Videos
09:41Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification TRAP to Investigate Arabidopsis thaliana Root Development at a Cell Type-Specific Scale
Published on: May 14, 2020
11:27A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions
Published on: August 25, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Cell Signaling in Plants
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Water and Mineral Acquisition