Inhibition of shoot branching by new terpenoid plant hormones

Mikihisa Umehara, Atsushi Hanada, Satoko Yoshida, Kohki Akiyama, Tomotsugu Arite, Noriko Takeda-Kamiya, Hiroshi Magome, Yuji Kamiya, Ken Shirasu, Koichi Yoneyama, Junko Kyozuka, Shinjiro Yamaguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1491 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Shoot branching is a major determinant of plant architecture and is highly regulated by endogenous and environmental cues. Two classes of hormones, auxin and cytokinin, have long been known to have an important involvement in controlling shoot branching. Previous studies using a series of mutants with enhanced shoot branching suggested the existence of a third class of hormone(s) that is derived from carotenoids, but its chemical identity has been unknown. Here we show that levels of strigolactones, a group of terpenoid lactones, are significantly reduced in some of the branching mutants. Furthermore, application of strigolactones inhibits shoot branching in these mutants. Strigolactones were previously found in root exudates acting as communication chemicals with parasitic weeds and symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Thus, we propose that strigolactones act as a new hormone class - or their biosynthetic precursors - in regulating above-ground plant architecture, and also have a function in underground communication with other neighbouring organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-200
Number of pages6
JournalNature
Volume455
Issue number7210
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Sept

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