The cell morphogenesis geneANGUSTIFOLIAencodes a CtBP/BARS-like protein and is involved in the control of the microtubule cytoskeleton

Abstract

The ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene is required for leaf hair (trichome) branching and is also involved in polarized expansion underlying organ shape. Here we show that the AN gene encodes a C-terminal binding proteins/brefeldin A ADP-ribosylated substrates (CtBP/BARS) related protein. AN is expressed at low levels in all organs and the AN protein is localized in the cytoplasm. In an mutant trichomes, the organization of the actin cytoskeleton is normal but the distribution of microtubules is aberrant. A role of AN in the control of the microtubule cytoskeleton is further supported by the finding that AN genetically and physically interacts with ZWICHEL, a kinesin motor molecule involved in trichome branching. Our data suggest that CtBP/BARS-like protein function in plants is directly associated with the microtubule cytoskeleton.

Adaptional evolution of trichome in Caragana korshinskii to natural drought stress on the Loess Plateau, China

“…The cytoskeleton pathway has also been shown to play an essential role in the normal growth and development of trichomes (Folkers et al. 2002; Kim et al. 2002).…”

“…AN is involved in any high concentration of microtubules at the tip of trichome cells (Folkers et al. 2002; Kim et al. 2002), and the ARP2/3 complex is known to promote the formation of actin networks by initiating the polymerization of new actin filaments around already existing actin (Mullins et al.…”

A transcriptional coactivator, AtGIF1, is involved in regulating leaf growth and morphology in Arabidopsis

“…Thus, leaf shape is under the control of separate genetic pathways determining cell expansion in either the longitudinal or transverse direction (7,12). The AN gene encodes a plant homolog of the animal transcription corepressor family CtBP (C-terminal binding protein) (13,14) and the ROT3 gene a member of the cytochrome P450 family (15). Recently, Narita et al (16) reported that a dominant Arabidopsis mutant, rot4-1D, formed short leaves caused by a reduction in cell numbers along the longitudinal axis; the ROT4 gene encodes a member of a novel peptide family.…”

Two Nonconsensus Sites in the Epstein-Barr Virus Oncoprotein EBNA3A Cooperate to Bind the Co-repressor Carboxyl-terminal-binding Protein (CtBP)

“…Furthermore, murine CtBP participates in the Ikaros repression complex (12). Angustifolia, the first plant member of the CtBP family was recently identified in Arabidopsis thaliana (13,14).…”