Regulation of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR condensation and nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning.

Auxin critically regulates plant growth and development. Auxin-driven transcriptional responses are mediated through the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) family of transcription factors. ARF protein condensation attenuates ARF activity, resulting in dramatic shifts in the auxin transcriptional landscape.

Structural and biochemical analysis of phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase from the pine wilt nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

In free-living and parasitic nematodes, the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to phosphocholine provides a key metabolite to sustain phospholipid biosynthesis for growth and development. Because the phosphoethanolamine methyltransferases (PMT) of nematodes are essential for normal growth and development, these enzymes are potential targets of inhibitor design. The pine wilt nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) causes extensive damage to trees used for lumber and paper in Asia.

Regulation of auxin transcriptional responses.

The plant hormone auxin acts as a signaling molecule to regulate a vast number of developmental responses throughout all stages of plant growth. Tight control and coordination of auxin signaling is required for the generation of specific auxin-response outputs. The nuclear auxin signaling pathway controls auxin-responsive gene transcription through the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX pathway.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic Partitioning of ARF Proteins Controls Auxin Responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The phytohormone auxin plays crucial roles in nearly every aspect of plant growth and development. The auxin response factor (ARF) transcription factor family regulates auxin-responsive gene expression and exhibits nuclear localization in regions of high auxin responsiveness. Here we show that the ARF7 and ARF19 proteins accumulate in micron-sized assemblies within the cytoplasm of tissues with attenuated auxin responsiveness.

TRANSPORTER OF IBA1 Links Auxin and Cytokinin to Influence Root Architecture.

Developmental processes that control root system architecture are critical for soil exploration by plants, allowing for uptake of water and nutrients. Conversion of the auxin precursor indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to active auxin (indole-3-acetic acid; IAA) modulates lateral root formation. However, mechanisms governing IBA-to-IAA conversion have yet to be elucidated.

Up in the air: Untethered Factors of Auxin Response.

As a prominent regulator of plant growth and development, the hormone auxin plays an essential role in controlling cell division and expansion. Auxin-responsive gene transcription is mediated through the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX (TIR1/AFB) pathway. Roles for TIR1/AFB pathway components in auxin response are understood best, but additional factors implicated in auxin responses require more study.