An Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase gene family encodes essential positive regulators of cytokinesis.
The signal transduction pathways that control cytokinesis in plants are largely uncharacterized. Here, we provide genetic evidence that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) play a role in the control of plant cell division. Using a reverse-genetic approach, we isolated plants carrying knockout alleles of the Arabidopsis MAPKKK genes ANP1, ANP2, and ANP3. The resulting single-mutant plants displayed no obvious abnormal phenotypes; two of the three double-mutant combinations displayed defects in cell division and growth; and the triple-mutant combination was not transmitted through either male or female gametes. The molecular and structural phenotypes displayed by the double mutants support a model in which the ANP family of MAPKKKs positively regulates cell division and growth and may negatively regulate stress responses.
Krysan
Patrick J
PJ
Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 425 Henry Mall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA. fpat@biotech.wisc.edu
Jester
Peter J
PJ
Gottwald
Jennifer R
JR
Sussman
Michael R
MR
D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000483:Alleles; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D060406:Brassinosteroids; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics*; D002777:Cholestanols / Q000494:pharmacology; D003583:Cytokinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018546:Hypocotyl / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013260:Steroids, Heterocyclic / Q000494:pharmacology
D060406:Brassinosteroids; D002777:Cholestanols; D003583:Cytokinins; D005030:Ethylenes; D005875:Gibberellins; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D013260:Steroids, Heterocyclic; D000040:Abscisic Acid; C036216:ethylene; C108211:ANP1 kinase; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; C023623:brassinolide