title: Antisense expression of a cell wall-associated protein kinase, WAK4, inhibits cell elongation and alters morphology.
abstract: The Arabidopsis cell wall-associated receptor-like kinase (WAK) gene family contains five highly related members whose products are suited for exchanging signals between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. WAK members are expressed in specific organs and regulated differentially by various biotic and abiotic factors. To gain further insight into how WAKs function during development, we used a glucocorticoid-inducible system to express ectopically the WAK4 antisense gene. The induced expression of the WAK4 antisense gene resulted in a significant decrease of WAK proteins. Ninety-six hours after the induction of WAK4 antisense expression, WAK proteins became undetectable. Cell elongation was impaired, and lateral root development was blocked. The level of WAK protein could be controlled by the concentration of the applied inducer, dexamethasone, and was correlated with the severity of the cell elongation inhibition phenotype. These results suggest that the WAKs serve a vital role in cell elongation and are required for plant development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lally
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ingmire
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000201:enzymology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011494:Protein Kinases