title: Auxin metabolism in the root apical meristem.
abstract: Within the root meristem of flowering plants is a group of mitotically inactive cells designated the quiescent center (QC). Recent work links the quiescent state to high levels of the growth regulator auxin that accumulates in the QC via polar transport. This in turn results in elevated levels of the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO), resulting in a reduction of ascorbic acid (AA) within the QC and mitotic quiescence. We present evidence for additional interactions between auxin, AAO, and AA, and report that, in vitro, AAO oxidatively decarboxylates auxin, suggesting a mechanism for regulating auxin levels within the QC. We also report that oxidative decarboxylation occurs at the root tip and that an intact root cap must be present for this metabolic event to occur. Finally, we consider how interaction between auxin and AAO may influence root development by regulating the formation of the QC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-3102, USA.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kerk
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D001204:Ascorbate Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; C030737:indoleacetic acid; D001204:Ascorbate Oxidase