Towards the systems biology of auxin-transport-mediated patterning.
Polar auxin transport intimately connects plant cell polarity and multicellular patterning. Through the transport of the small molecule indole-3-acetic acid, plant cells integrate their polarities and communicate the degree of their polarization. In this way, they generate an apical-basal axis that serves as a positional reference anchoring subsequent patterning events. Research in recent years has brought the molecular mechanisms underlying auxin perception and auxin transport to light. This knowledge has been used to derive spectacular molecular visualization tools and animated computer simulations, which are now allied in a joint systems biology effort towards a mathematical description of auxin-transport-mediated patterning processes.
Berleth
Thomas
T
Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto ON, M5S 3B2, Canada. thomas.berleth@utoronto.ca
Scarpella
Enrico
E
Prusinkiewicz
Przemyslaw
P
D001692:Biological Transport; D019521:Body Patterning; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049490:Systems Biology
D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; C030737:indoleacetic acid