Knockdown of CELL DIVISION CYCLE16 reveals an inverse relationship between lateral root and nodule numbers and a link to auxin in Medicago truncatula.
The postembryonic development of lateral roots and nodules is a highly regulated process. Recent studies suggest the existence of cross talk and interdependency in the growth of these two organs. Although plant hormones, including auxin and cytokinin, appear to be key players in coordinating this cross talk, very few genes that cross-regulate root and nodule development have been uncovered so far. This study reports that a homolog of CELL DIVISION CYCLE16 (CDC16), a core component of the Anaphase Promoting Complex, is one of the key mediators in controlling the overall number of lateral roots and nodules. A partial suppression of this gene in Medicago truncatula leads to a decrease in number of lateral roots and a 4-fold increase in number of nodules. The roots showing lowered expression of MtCDC16 also show reduced sensitivity to phytohormone auxin, thus providing a potential function of CDC16 in auxin signaling.
Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Kavitha T
KT
Kuppusamy
Sergey
S
Ivashuta
Bruna
B
Bucciarelli
Carroll P
CP
Vance
J Stephen
JS
Gantt
Kathryn A
KA
Vandenbosch
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D046913:Medicago truncatula / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055170:Plant Root Nodulation / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D034622:RNA Interference; D053204:Root Nodules, Plant / Q000254:growth & development*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D018744:DNA, Plant; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins