Gene Networks Involved in Hormonal Control of Root Development in Arabidopsis thaliana: A Framework for Studying Its Disturbance by Metal Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Stefanie De Smet¹  Ann Cuypers²  Jaco Vangronsveld²  Tony Remans² 

[1]Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

关键词: cadmium;    copper;    zinc;    aluminium;    phytohormones;    lateral root;    primary root;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms160819195

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Plant survival under abiotic stress conditions requires morphological and physiological adaptations. Adverse soil conditions directly affect root development, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely to be discovered. Plant hormones regulate normal root growth and mediate root morphological responses to abiotic stress. Hormone synthesis, signal transduction, perception and cross-talk create a complex network in which metal stress can interfere, resulting in root growth alterations. We focus on Arabidopsis thaliana, for which gene networks in root development have been intensively studied, and supply essential terminology of anatomy and growth of roots. Knowledge of gene networks, mechanisms and interactions related to the role of plant hormones is reviewed. Most knowledge has been generated for auxin, the best-studied hormone with a pronounced primary role in root development. Furthermore, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonic acid, strigolactones, brassinosteroids and salicylic acid are discussed. Interactions between hormones that are of potential importance for root growth are described. This creates a framework that can be used for investigating the impact of abiotic stress factors on molecular mechanisms related to plant hormones, with the limited knowledge of the effects of the metals cadmium, copper and zinc on plant hormones and root development included as case example.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.