P-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid impairs auxin response for gravity-regulated peg formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings

J Plant Res. 2008 Jan;121(1):107-14. doi: 10.1007/s10265-007-0121-0. Epub 2007 Nov 7.

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings form a specialized protuberance, the peg, on the transition zone between the hypocotyl and the root. When cucumber seeds germinate in a horizontal position, the seedlings develop a peg on the lower side of the transition zone. To verify the role of auxin action in peg formation, we examined the effect of the anti-auxin, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (PCIB), on peg formation and mRNA accumulation of auxin-regulated genes. Application of PCIB to cucumber seedlings inhibited peg formation. The application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) competed with PCIB and induced peg formation. Furthermore, application of PCIB decreased auxin-inducible CsIAA1 mRNA and increased auxin-repressible CsGRP1 mRNA in the lower side of the transition zone. The differential accumulation of CsIAA1 and CsGRP1 mRNAs in the transition zone of cucumber seedlings grown in a horizontal position was smaller in the PCIB-treated seedlings. These results demonstrate that endogenous auxin redistributes and induces the differential expression of auxin-regulated genes, and ultimately results in the suppression or induction of peg formation in the gravistimulated transition zone of cucumber seedlings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clofibric Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cucumis sativus / drug effects*
  • Cucumis sativus / growth & development*
  • Cucumis sativus / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gravitation
  • Gravitropism / drug effects*
  • Indoleacetic Acids / metabolism*
  • Seedlings / drug effects*
  • Seedlings / growth & development*
  • Seedlings / metabolism
  • Time

Substances

  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Clofibric Acid