Mechanisms of auxin-dependent cell and tissue polarity

Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2007 Dec;10(6):616-23. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2007.07.008. Epub 2007 Aug 27.

Abstract

The establishment of cellular asymmetries and their coordination within the tissue layer are fundamental to the development of multicellular organisms. In plants, the induction and coordination of cell polarity have classically been attributed to involve the hormone auxin and its flow. However, the underlying mechanisms have only recently been addressed at the molecular level. We review progress on the characterisation of the auxin influx and efflux carrier properties of specific plasma membrane proteins, mechanisms underlying their delivery to and internalisation from the plasma membrane, their endocytic transport and degradation. We discuss mechanisms of auxin gradient, transport and response action during the coordination of polarity, along with the downstream involvement of Rho-of-plant small GTPases during the execution of cell polarity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / physiology*
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • AUX1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • PGP protein, plant
  • Plant Proteins