Open AccessAuxin transport network underlies xylem bridge formation between the hemi-parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum and host Arabidopsis
Author(s) -
Takanori Wakatake,
Satoshi Ogawa,
Satoko Yoshida,
Ken Shirasu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.15
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1477-9129
pISSN - 0950-1991
DOI - 10.1242/dev.187781
Subject(s) - xylem , haustorium , biology , auxin , meristem , microbiology and biotechnology , vascular tissue , arabidopsis , botany , parasitic plant , host (biology) , gene , mutant , biochemistry , genetics , shoot
Parasitic plants form vascular connections to host plants for efficient material transport. The haustorium is the responsible organ for host invasion and subsequent vascular connection. After invasion of host tissues, vascular meristem-like cells emerge in the central region of the haustorium, differentiate into tracheary elements, and establish a connection, known as a xylem bridge, between parasite and host xylem systems. Despite the importance of this parasitic connection, the regulatory mechanisms of xylem bridge formation are unknown. Here we show the role of auxin and auxin transporters during the process of xylem bridge formation using an Orobanchaceae hemiparasitic plant, Phtheirospermum japonicum. The auxin response marker DR5 has a similar expression pattern to tracheary element differentiation genes in haustoria. Auxin transport inhibitors alter tracheary element differentiation in haustoria, but biosynthesis inhibitors do not, demonstrating the importance of auxin transport during xylem bridge formation. The expression patterns and subcellular localization of PIN family auxin efflux carriers and AUX1/LAX influx carriers correlate with DR5 expression patterns. The cooperative action of auxin transporters is therefore responsible for controlling xylem vessel connections between parasite and host.