Autobahn : a gene that has a role in auxin influx in Arabidopsis leaves

Abstract

The development of leaf vascular patterns is a highly regulated process. The plant hormone auxin is critical for vascular patterning: auxin canalization is proposed to cause files of cells to accumulate higher auxin levels and develop into veins. Thus, the response of cells to auxin and transport of auxin are critical to establish proper cell fate. We have characterized a mutation in the Arabidopsis thaliana gene name AUTOBAHN (ABN). abn leaves produce leaves that proliferate disorganized, overlapping veins parallel to the midvein with no differentiation of higher order veins. abn leaves show no normal aspects of the secondary auxin response though double mutant analysis suggest that ABN functions independently of previously characterized auxin response pathways. Wild type plants grown on an influx inhibitor phenocopy abn suggesting that abn is defective in carrier-mediated auxin influx.