Lateral root (LR) formation, which is essential for the construction of plant root systems, is initiated by coordinated asymmetric cell divisions (ACDs) of LR founder cells in existing roots. In Arabidopsis, LR formation is regulated by auxin signalling through the auxin response factors ARF7 and ARF19, which transcriptionally activate the plant-specific transcriptional regulator LBD16/ASL18 and other LBD/ASL genes. Hidehiro Fukaki and colleagues now provide new insights into the biological role of LBD/ASL genes in LR formation (see p. 883). They show that LBD16/ASL18 is expressed in Arabidopsis LR founder cells prior to ACD and that the spatiotemporal expression of LBD16/ASL18 during LR initiation is dependent on a specific auxin signalling module. Moreover, inhibition of LBD16/ASL18 and related LBD/ASL proteins in LR founder cells blocks nuclear migration, ACD and LR initiation. These results indicate that the localised activity of LBD16/ASL18 and related LBD/ASL proteins establishes the asymmetry of LR founder cells that is required for LR initiation, a key step in the construction of the plant root system.
- © 2012.
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