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Effects of MAPKK inhibitor PD98059 on the gravitropism of primary roots of maize

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Abstract

Gravity plays a fundamental role in plant growth and development, yet the molecular details of gravitropism is not fully understood. Here, we report the effects of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase, on the gravitropism of primary roots of maize. Unilateral application of PD98059 to horizontal roots led to different gravitropic growth. Placing PD98059-containing agar on the upper side of the root tips accelerated gravitropic curvature, whereas placing the agar on the lower side inhibited gravitropic curvature. However, no effect was detected when asymmetric application of PD98059 to vertical roots. Global application of maize primary root with PD98059 suppressed root gravitropism. Furthermore, the effects of H2O2 on horizontal root gravitropism and vertical root bending were compromised by pretreatment with PD98059. These results suggest an involvement of MAP kinase pathway(s) in gravitropism of maize roots.

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Abbreviations

EB1:

End binding 1

ARG1/RHG:

Altered response to gravity 1/root and hypocotyls gravitropism

ARL2:

Arg1-like 2

MAR1:

Modifier of arg 1-1

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

GPS:

Gravity persistence signal

PIN3:

Pin-formed 3

PKS1:

Phytochrome kinase substrate 1

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

MAPKK:

MAPK kinase

BUD1:

Bushy and dwarf 1

MKK7:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

MES:

2-(N-Morpholino)-ethane sulfonic acid

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30871457, 30471052) and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Teams in Universities (No. IRT0635).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, 271018, Tai’an, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yu-Kun Liu, Qing-Zhou Liu, Xin Xing & De-Quan Li

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  1. Yu-Kun Liu
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  2. Qing-Zhou Liu
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  3. Xin Xing
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  4. De-Quan Li
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Correspondence to De-Quan Li.

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Liu, YK., Liu, QZ., Xing, X. et al. Effects of MAPKK inhibitor PD98059 on the gravitropism of primary roots of maize. Plant Growth Regul 59, 191–198 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-009-9403-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-009-9403-y

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