Jinzhu Li, Bingxin Wang, Xinxing Zhu, Rong Li, Jing Fu, Hongchang Cui. Novel Regulators of Sugar-Mediated Lateral Root Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Novel Regulators of Sugar-Mediated Lateral Root Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Jinzhu Li, Bingxin Wang, Xinxing Zhu, Rong Li, Jing Fu, Hongchang Cui

Genes

doi:10.3390/genes11111257

Abstract:

Lateral root development is a complex process regulated by numerous factors. An importantrole for sugar in lateral root development has been known for a while, but the underlying molecular basis still remains unclear. In this study, we fifirst showed that WOX7, a sugar-inducible negative regulator of lateral root development, acts downstream of the glucose sensor HXK1. Using a transgenic line homozygous for a transgene expressing GFP under the control of the WOX7 promoter, we next performed a genetic screen to identify additional genes in this development pathway. A number of mutants with altered level of WOX7 expression were recovered, and two with increased WOX7 expression, named ewe-1 and ewe-2 (for Enhanced WOX7 Expression), were further characterized. Both mutants manifest delayed lateral root development, and genetic analysis indicates that single recessive mutations are responsible for the observed phenotypes. The mutations were then located to similar regions on chromosome 2 by marker-assisted analyses, and candidate genes were identifified through whole genome sequencing.