Control of auxin transport in the phototropic response(<Feature Article>New development in auxin studies)

Abstract

Phototropism allows plants to change their growth direction in response to the location of the light source. Asymmetric distribution of the phytohormone auxin occurs in response to a phototropic stimulus, and causes differential growth on the two sides of the plant organ and consequent organ bending. Recently, molecular genetic analyses of Arabidopsis have begun to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying this response system, including phototropin blue light photoreceptors, phototropin signaling components, auxin transporters and others. This review highlights some of the recent progress on the control of auxin transport in the phototropic response.