The Story of Auxin

Summary Auxin is critically and fundamentally important in the life of a plant. Auxin promotes growth, including the asymmetric growth in light- or gravity-responding organs. Auxin specifies the initiation of roots and leaves and the formation of developmental patterns. Building upon the work of pioneering plant scientists, we have recently made remarkable progress in elucidating the mechanisms of auxin homeostasis and signaling, including the systems of polar auxin transport and auxin-mediated transcriptional controls. This lecture summarizes our current understanding of these processes as well as ongoing investigations.