• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Elevated auxin biosynthesis and transport underlie high vein density in C 4 leaves
  • Contributor: Huang, Chi-Fa; Yu, Chun-Ping; Wu, Yeh-Hua; Lu, Mei-Yeh Jade; Tu, Shih-Long; Wu, Shu-Hsing; Shiu, Shin-Han; Ku, Maurice S. B.; Li, Wen-Hsiung
  • Published: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017
  • Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114 (2017) 33
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1709171114
  • ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: Significance Elevated leaf vein density is a key step in the evolution from C 3 to C 4 plants. We hypothesized that high vein density in C 4 leaves is due to elevated auxin biosynthesis and transport in developing leaves. We found higher expression levels of genes promoting auxin biosynthesis and higher auxin content in developing C 4 leaves than in developing C 3 leaves. We also found higher auxin content and vein density in loss-of-function mutants of MYC2 , an auxin biosynthesis suppressor. Moreover, treatment with an auxin biosynthesis or transport inhibitor reduced vein density in new leaves. Finally, mutations that reduce auxin efflux or influx reduce vein density. These observations support our hypothesis and provide a molecular basis for high vein density in C 4 leaves.
  • Access State: Open Access