The interplay between auxin and the cell cycle during plant development

Abstract

The essential role of auxin for cell proliferation in plants is well known. Both auxin signaling and cell cycle regulation have been studied elaborately, but less is known about the connection between these processes. Recent studies report on the first molecular pathways that have been found to directly link auxin levels to the regulation of cell cycle activity. Here, we discuss the general effect of auxin on cell cycle progression and then zoom in on the interplay between auxin and the cell cycle during root development in Arabidopsis thaliana. At the root tip, an auxin gradient maintains the correct organization of the ground tissue layers and controls the size of the root apical meristem. During auxin-induced lateral root initiation LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN transcription factors are upregulated and control reactivation of the cell cycle and cell specification, both of which are needed for proper lateral root initiation. Auxin-induced lateral root initiation-like pathways are also involved in cell cycle reactivation during the formation of nematode feeding sites, nitrogen-fixing nodules and callus tissue, pointing to the existence of one common auxin-cell cycle module to initiate new organs in plants.