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L-Glutamate as a novel modifier of root growth and branching: What's the sensor?

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineLiterature reviewpeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2007
<mark>Journal</mark>Plant Signaling and Behavior
Issue number4
Volume2
Number of pages3
Pages (from-to)284-286
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Exogenous L-glutamate (L-Glu) has been shown to be able to elicit major changes in Arabidopsis root architecture at micromolar concentrations. The root response, which is strongly genotype-dependent, is specific to L-Glu and involves both inhibition of primary root growth and stimulation of root branching behind the primary root tip. The L-Glu appears to be sensed directly at the root tip, where it inhibits meristematic activity. An intriguing and still unanswered question is whether members of the family of Glu receptor-like genes (GLRs) have a role in mediating this response. A pharmacological approach described here, using agonists and antagonists of mammalian ionotropic Glu receptors, has failed to
resolve the issue. Progress towards identifying the genes involved in the root response to L-Glu is likely to come through the application of forward and reverse genetics, in combination with quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping.