Local positive feedback regulation determines cell shape in root hair cells

Science. 2008 Feb 29;319(5867):1241-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1152505.

Abstract

The specification and maintenance of growth sites are tightly regulated during cell morphogenesis in all organisms. ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 2 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (RHD2 NADPH) oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate a Ca2+ influx into the cytoplasm that is required for root hair growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that Ca2+, in turn, activated the RHD2 NADPH oxidase to produce ROS at the growing point in the root hair. Together, these components could establish a means of positive feedback regulation that maintains an active growth site in expanding root hair cells. Because the location and stability of growth sites predict the ultimate form of a plant cell, our findings demonstrate how a positive feedback mechanism involving RHD2, ROS, and Ca2+ can determine cell shape.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / chemistry
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Shape
  • EF Hand Motifs
  • Endocytosis
  • Feedback, Physiological*
  • Humans
  • Marine Toxins
  • Mutant Proteins / chemistry
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • NADPH Oxidases / chemistry
  • NADPH Oxidases / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Roots / cytology*
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Marine Toxins
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Oxazoles
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • SCN1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • calyculin A
  • Rhd2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Calcium