title: The TOR Complex: An Emergency Switch for Root Behavior.
abstract: Target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is known to be a controller of cell growth and aging, which determines the fine balance between growth rates and energy availabilities. It has been reported that many eukaryotes express TOR genes. In plants, TOR signaling modifies growth and development in response to a plant's energy status. An example of TOR action can be found in the root apices, which are active organs that explore the soil environment via vigorous growth and numerous tropisms. The exploratory nature of root apices requires a large energy supply for signaling, as well as for cell division and elongation. In the case of negative tropisms, roots must respond quickly to avoid patches of unfavorable soil conditions, again by consuming precious energy reserves. Here we review the current findings on TOR signaling in plants and animals, and propose possible roles for this important complex in driving plant root negative tropisms, particularly during light escape and salt avoidance behavior.
authors.affiliation: IZMB, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokawa
authors.affiliation: IZMB, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, D-53115 Bonn, Germany baluska@uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: František
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baluška
mesh_terms: D008027:Light; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000378:metabolism; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D010940:Plant Proteins; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D020123:Sirolimus
keywords: Light response; Reactive oxygen species; Root; Root behavior; Root tropism TOR