Altered expression of expansin modulates leaf growth and pedicel abscission in Arabidopsis thaliana.

ABSTRACT: Expansins are cell-wall-loosening proteins that induce stress relaxation and extension of plant cell walls. To evaluate their hypothesized role in cell growth, we genetically manipulated expansin gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana and assessed the consequent changes in growth and cell-wall properties. Various combinations of promoters were used to drive antisense and sense sequences of AtEXP10, which is maximally expressed in the growing leaf and at the base of the pedicel. Compared with controls, antisense lines had smaller rosettes because of shorter petioles and leaf blades and often acquired a twisted leaf morphology. Petiole cells from antisense plants were smaller than controls and their cell walls were significantly less extensible in vitro. Sense plants had slightly longer pet

SUBMITTER: Cho HT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC16942 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature