Laccase3-based extracellular domain provides possible positional information for directing Casparian strip formation in Arabidopsis

Abstract

The Casparian strip (CS) is a tight junction-like structure formed by lignin impregnation on the walls of endodermal cells in plant roots. The CS membrane domain (CSD^M), demarked by the CASP proteins, is important for orienting lignification enzymes. Here, we report that an endodermis-expressed multicopper oxidase, LACCASE3 (LAC3) in Arabidopsis, locates to the interface between lignin domains and the cell wall during early CS development prior to CASP1 localizing to CSD^M and eventually flanks the mature CS. Pharmacological perturbation of LAC3 causes dispersed localization of CASP1 and compensatory ectopic lignification. These results support the existence of a LAC3-based CS wall domain which coordinates with CSD^M to provide bidirectional positional information that guides precise CS lignification.

Keywords: Casparian strip; copper; laccase; lignin; positional information.