E69K mutation in β-tubulin 2 blocks cell wall integrity signaling during plant cell elongation.

ABSTRACT: The intact cell wall is the prerequisite for plant cell morphogenesis. Loss of function in FRA1/KINESIN-4A, which encodes a microtubule-based kinesin motor, causes dwarfed growth phenotypes with reduced cell wall mechanics. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, using genetic screening, we identify a suppressor of fra1 (sofa1) mutation that specifically suppresses the dwarf phenotype of the fra1 mutant. The sofa1 carries an E69K mutation in β-Tubulin 2 (TUB2), and the dominant suppressive effect of E69K mutation is conserved among β-tubulins. We further reveal that incorporation of TUB2^E69K affects microtubule stability, yet fails to rescue the cell wall defects or lateral displacement of microtubules in fra1. Combining with transcriptomic analysis, we propose

SUBMITTER: Yang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12592460 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature