Auxin Signaling Dynamics in Plant Growth
Summary
Auxin is a pivotal phytohormone that orchestrates plant growth and development through both transcriptional and non-transcriptional pathways. In the canonical signalling cascade, auxin is perceived by TIR1/AFB F-box receptors, leading to the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors via the SCF complex and the subsequent activation of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs. Concurrently, rapid responses involve non-genomic mechanisms such as cell-surface perception, proton pump activation for cell wall acidification and directional transport by AUX1 influx carriers and PIN efflux facilitators. These interconnected modules establish auxin gradients that govern processes from root meristem maintenance and lateral root initiation to shoot organogenesis and gravitropic curvature. Recent advances have elucidated how spatiotemporal regulation of auxin transport and signal transduction integrates environmental cues, underpinning strategies to improve crop architecture and stress resilience.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have elucidated how AUX1-mediated auxin uptake in root hairs triggers rapid Ca2+ signalling waves through a SCFTIR1/AFB–CNGC14 module, linking hormone transport directly to electrical and calcium responses. This work demonstrated that membrane depolarisation and calcium influx propagate long-distance signals between cells, clarifying the integration of transporters, receptors and ion channels in coordinating root growth dynamics.
Auxin Signaling Dynamics in Plant Growth publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in auxin signaling dynamics in plant growth across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Auxin: A class of plant hormones that regulate cell division, elongation and differentiation.
TIR1/AFB receptors: F-box proteins that perceive auxin and recruit Aux/IAA repressors for ubiquitination.
Aux/IAA proteins: Nuclear co-repressors that inhibit auxin-responsive transcription factors in low-hormone conditions.
SCF complex: A Skp1–Cullin–F-box ubiquitin ligase assembly responsible for targeted protein degradation.
PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins: Membrane transporters that export auxin directionally, shaping intercellular gradients.
AUX1: An influx carrier facilitating cellular uptake of auxin, essential for rapid signalling events.
References
- The AFB1 auxin receptor controls the cytoplasmic auxin response pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular Plant (2023).
- TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA auxin perception mediates rapid cell wall acidification and growth of Arabidopsis hypocotyls. eLife (2016).
- AUX1-mediated root hair auxin influx governs SCFTIR1/AFB-type Ca2+ signaling. Nature Communications (2018).
- A novel Ca2+-binding protein that can rapidly transduce auxin responses during root growth. PLOS Biology (2019).
- ABLs and TMKs are co-receptors for extracellular auxin. Cell (2023).
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