Arabidopsis Histidine-containing Phosphotransfer Factor 4 (AHP4) Negatively Regulates Secondary Wall Thickening of the Anther Endothecium during Flowering

  • Jung, Kwang Wook (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University) ;
  • Oh, Seung-Ick (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Yun Young (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University) ;
  • Yoo, Kyoung Shin (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University) ;
  • Cui, Mei Hua (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University) ;
  • Shin, Jeong Sheop (School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University)
  • Received : 2007.08.14
  • Accepted : 2007.09.27
  • Published : 2008.04.30

Abstract

Cytokinins are essential hormones in plant development. $\underline{A}$rabidopsis $\underline{h}$istidine-containing $\underline{p}$hosphotransfer proteins (AHPs) are mediators in a multistep phosphorelay pathway for cytokinin signaling. The exact role of AHP4 has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated young flower-specific expression of AHP4, and compared AHP4-overexpressing (Ox) trangenic Arabidopsis lines and an ahp4 knock-out line. AHP4-Ox plants had reduced fertility due to a lack of secondary cell wall thickening in the anther endothecium and inhibition of IRREGURAR XYLEMs (IRXs) expression in young flowers. Conversely, ahp4 anthers had more lignified anther walls than the wild type, and increased IRXs expression. Our study indicates that AHP4 negatively regulates thickening of the secondary cell wall of the anther endothecium, and provides new insight into the role of cytokinins in formation of secondary cell walls via the action of AHP4.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Ministry of Science and Technology

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