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Protein-phosphatase inhibitors block root hair growth and alter cortical cell shape of Arabidopsis roots

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Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that protein phosphatases play an important role in the growth and development of higher plants. We report here on the effects of okadaic acid and calyculin-A, two specific and potent inhibitors of the type-1 and type-2A families of serine/ threonine protein phosphatases, on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana L. roots. Application of these drugs in nanomolar ranges arrested root hair growth, severely affected the shape of cells within the zone of elongation and inhibited root growth rates. Root hair elongation was inhibited by concentrations of okadaic acid and calyculin-A as low as 3 nM. The pleiotropic effects of okadaic acid and calyculin-A point to multiple functions for type-1 and -2A protein phosphatases in controlling root growth and development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, Columbia, MO, USA

    R. D. Smith, J. E. Wilson, J. C. Walker & T. I. Baskin

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  1. R. D. Smith
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  2. J. E. Wilson
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  3. J. C. Walker
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  4. T. I. Baskin
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Additional information

We thank Kelly Aldrich for excellent technical assistance. This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grant MCB-9219075 to J.C.W.; University of Missouri Food for the 21st Century Program; National Institute of Health Grant DHHS 5 F32 GM14433-02 to R.D.S.; and this material is partially based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 92-37304-7868 to T.I.B.

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Smith, R.D., Wilson, J.E., Walker, J.C. et al. Protein-phosphatase inhibitors block root hair growth and alter cortical cell shape of Arabidopsis roots. Planta 194, 516–524 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00714465

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