IngentaConnect The TUMOROUS SHOOT DEVELOPMENT2 gene of Arabidopsis encoding a pu...

Authors: Krupková, Eva¹; Immerzeel, Peter²; Pauly, Markus²; Schmülling, Thomas

Source: The Plant Journal, Volume 50, Number 4, May 2007 , pp. 735-750(16)

Abstract:

Summary

Mutations in the TUMOROUS SHOOT DEVELOPMENT2 (TSD2) gene reduce cell adhesion, and in strongly affected individuals cause non-coordinated shoot development that leads to disorganized tumor-like growth in vitro. tsd2 mutants showed increased activity of axial meristems, reduced root growth and enhanced de-etiolation. The expression domains of the shoot meristem marker genes KNAT1 and KNAT2 were enlarged in the mutant background. Soil-grown tsd2 mutants were dwarfed, but overall showed morphology similar to that of the wild-type (WT). The TSD2 gene was identified by map-based cloning. It encodes a novel 684 amino acid polypeptide containing a single membrane-spanning domain in the N-terminal part and S-adenosyl-l-methionine binding and methyltransferase domains in the C-terminal part. Expression of a TSD2:GUS reporter gene was detected mainly in meristems and young tissues. A green fluorescent protein-tagged TSD2 protein localized to the Golgi apparatus. The cell-adhesion defects indicated altered pectin properties, and we hypothesize that TSD2 acts as a pectin methyltransferase. However, analyses of the cell-wall composition revealed no significant differences of the monosaccharide composition, the uronic acid content and the overall degree of pectin methylesterification between tsd2 and WT. The findings support a function of TSD2 as a methyltransferase, with an essential role in cell adhesion and coordinated plant development.

Keywords: Arabidopsis; plant development; cell wall; methyltransferase

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2007.03123.x

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics, Free University of Berlin, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany, and 2: Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Golm, Germany

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The TUMOROUS SHOOT DEVELOPMENT2 gene of Arabidopsis encoding a putative methyltransferase is required for cell adhesion and co-ordinated plant development