Functionally different PIN proteins control auxin flux during bulbil development in Agave tequilana.
In Agave tequilana, reproductive failure or inadequate flower development stimulates the formation of vegetative bulbils at the bracteoles, ensuring survival in a hostile environment. Little is known about the signals that trigger this probably unique phenomenon in agave species. Here we report that auxin plays a central role in bulbil development and show that the localization of PIN1-related proteins is consistent with altered auxin transport during this process. Analysis of agave transcriptome data led to the identification of the A. tequilana orthologue of PIN1 (denoted AtqPIN1) and a second closely related gene from a distinct clade reported as 'Sister of PIN1' (denoted AtqSoPIN1). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed different patterns of expression for each gene during bulbil formation, and heterologous expression of the A. tequilana PIN1 and SoPIN1 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed functional differences between these genes. Although no free auxin was detected in induced pedicel samples, changes in the levels of auxin precursors were observed. Taken as a whole, the data support the model that AtqPIN1 and AtqSoPIN1 have co-ordinated but distinct functions in relation to auxin transport during the initial stages of bulbil formation.
Department of Plant Genetic Engineering, Cinvestav Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, Apdo. Postal 629, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
María Jazmín
MJ
Abraham Juárez
Department of Plant Genetic Engineering, Cinvestav Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, Apdo. Postal 629, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Rocío
R
Hernández Cárdenas
Department of Plant Genetic Engineering, Cinvestav Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, Apdo. Postal 629, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
José Natzul
JN
Santoyo Villa
Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, UK.
Devin
D
O'Connor
Plant Gene Expression Center, US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Aaron
A
Sluis
Plant Gene Expression Center, US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Sarah
S
Hake
Plant Science Laboratory, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
José
J
Ordaz-Ortiz
Plant Science Laboratory, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
Leon
L
Terry
Department of Plant Genetic Engineering, Cinvestav Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, Apdo. Postal 629, 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico jsimpson@ira.cinvestav.mx.
June
J
Simpson
D027882:Agave / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D035264:Flowers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D017343:Genes, Plant; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D010940:Plant Proteins
Agave tequilana; PIN proteins.; auxin flux; bulbil; development; gene expression; immunolocalization