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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
Sulfonamides Inhibit Root Growth via ROS-Triggered and MPK3/6-Modulated Synthesis of the Ethylene Precursor ACC
Ting He1, Zixuan Zhao1, Xinyi Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Biological Invasion and Biosecurity, School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China.
Sulfonamide antibiotics inhibit plant root growth by disrupting the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-ethylene signaling pathway. This involves transcriptional activation of ACS1 and post-translational stabilization of ACS2/ACS6, leading to root growth inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sulfonamide antibiotics are environmental contaminants.
- Their phytotoxic effects and mechanisms are not well understood.
- Root growth inhibition is a key phytotoxic effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the phytotoxic mechanisms of sulfonamides.
- To investigate the role of the ROS-ethylene signaling axis in sulfonamide-induced root growth inhibition.
- To identify key molecular players involved in this process.
Main Methods:
- Arabidopsis thaliana mutants (acs1-1, acs2-1, acs6-1, mpk3, mpk6) were used.
- Root elongation assays were performed.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst and gene expression were analyzed.
- Protein stabilization was assessed.
Main Results:
- Sulfadiazine (SD) strongly inhibited root elongation in a manner dependent on ACS1.
- SD induced an RBOH-dependent ROS burst that transcriptionally activated ACS1.
- SD partially relied on the MPK3/6 cascade for post-translational stabilization of ACS2/ACS6.
- Mutants lacking ACS1, ACS2, ACS6, MPK3, or MPK6 showed varying degrees of insensitivity or resistance to SD.
Conclusions:
- Sulfonamides inhibit root growth through a dual mechanism.
- ROS transcriptionally activate ACS1, while MPK3/6 stabilizes ACS2/ACS6.
- This leads to aberrant ethylene precursor ACC biosynthesis and subsequent root growth inhibition.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for assessing environmental risks of sulfonamides.
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