Plant Rac-like GTPases are activated by auxin and mediate auxin-responsive gene expression

Plant Cell. 2002 Nov;14(11):2745-60. doi: 10.1105/tpc.006320.

Abstract

The auxin indole-3-acetic acid is a key plant hormone essential for a broad range of growth and developmental processes. Here, we show that auxin activates Rac-like GTPases (referred to as Rac/Rop GTPases), and they in turn stimulate auxin-responsive gene expression. In particular, we show that overexpressing a wild-type tobacco Rac/Rop GTPase, NtRac1, and its constitutively active mutant form activates auxin-responsive gene expression. On the other hand, overexpressing dominant-negative NtRac1 and Rac-negative regulators, or reducing the endogenous NtRac1 level, suppresses auxin-induced gene expression. Furthermore, overexpression of NtRac1 activity or suppression of its expression in transgenic seedlings induces phenotypes that are similar to auxin-related defects. Together, our results show that a subset of plant Rac/Rop GTPases functions in mediating the auxin signal to downstream responsive genes.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Indoleacetic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nicotiana / enzymology
  • Nicotiana / genetics*
  • Nicotiana / growth & development
  • Phenotype
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • indoleacetic acid
  • RopGAP4 protein, Arabidopsis
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY029330