Bennett Lab - Root Developmental Biology

Polar auxin transport is critical for plant growth and development. Auxin moves between plant cells through a combination of membrane diffusion and influx/efflux carrier-mediated transport. Our initial research led to the isolation and characterisation of AUX1, the first auxin transport protein to be described in plants. Subsequent research has examined the importance of AUX1, and auxin transport generally, during primary and secondary root development. Recent studies addressing the regulation of AUX1 trafficking has identified a novel ER protein termed AXR4 which is required for AUX1 plasma membrane localization.

Genes and Dev. 2001 15 2648-2653.
Localization of the auxin permease AUX1 suggests two functionally distinct hormone transport pathways operate in the Arabidopsis root apex.
Swarup R, Friml J, Marchant A, Ljung K, Sandberg G, Palme K, Bennett MJ.

Plant Cell 2001 13, 843-852.
Auxin transport promotes Arabidopsis lateral root initiation.
Casimiro I, Marchant A, Bhalerao P, Beedkman T, Dhooge S, Swarup R, Graham N, Inzé D, Sandberg G, Casero PJ, Bennett, MJ.

Plant Cell, 16(11):3069-83, November 2004.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Presumptive Arabidopsis Auxin Permease AUX1
Swarup R, Kargul J, Marchant A, Zadik DP, Rahman A, Mills R, Yemm A, May ST, Williams L, Millner P, Tsurumi S, Moore I, Napier R, Kerr ID, Bennett MJ

Science. 2006 May 26;312(5777):1218-20. Epub 2006 May 11.
AXR4 is required for localization of the auxin influx facilitator AUX1.
Dharmasiri S, Swarup R, Mockaitis K, Dharmasiri N, Singh SK, Kowalchyk M, Marchant A, Mills S, Sandberg G, Bennett MJ, Estelle M.