SAUR Proteins as Effectors of Hormonal and Environmental Signals in Plant Growth

Mol Plant. 2015 Aug;8(8):1153-64. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 15.

Abstract

The plant hormone auxin regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Early auxin response genes mediate its genomic effects on plant growth and development. Discovered in 1987, small auxin up RNAs (SAURs) are the largest family of early auxin response genes. SAUR functions have remained elusive, however, presumably due to extensive genetic redundancy. However, recent molecular, genetic, biochemical, and genomic studies have implicated SAURs in the regulation of a wide range of cellular, physiological, and developmental processes. Recently, crucial mechanistic insight into SAUR function was provided by the demonstration that SAURs inhibit PP2C.D phosphatases to activate plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPases and promote cell expansion. In addition to auxin, several other hormones and environmental factors also regulate SAUR gene expression. We propose that SAURs are key effector outputs of hormonal and environmental signals that regulate plant growth and development.

Keywords: PM H(+)-ATPases; PP2C.D phosphatases; SAURs; acid growth; auxin; cell expansion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Environment*
  • Plant Development / drug effects*
  • Plant Development / genetics
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Plant Proteins