A specific exocytic pathway is essential for polarization of PIN proteins in the establishment and maintenance of auxin gradients.

Abstract

O_LIThe plant hormone auxin and its directional intercellular transport plays a major role in diverse aspects of plant growth and development. The establishment of auxin gradients in plants requires asymmetric distribution of members of the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) protein family to the plasma membrane. An endocytic pathway regulates the recycling of PIN proteins between the plasma membrane and endosomes, providing a mechanism for dynamic localization. C_LIO_LIN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor adaptor protein receptors (SNAP receptors, SNAREs) mediate fusion between vesicles and target membranes and are classed as Q- or R-SNAREs based on their sequence. We analysed gain- and loss-of-function mutants, dominant negative transgenics and protein localization of the Arabidopsis R-SNARE VAMP714 to understand its function. C_LIO_LIWe demonstrate that VAMP714 is essential for the insertion of PINs into the plasmamembrane, for polar auxin transport, and for root gravitropism and morphogenesis. VAMP714 gene expression is upregulated by auxin, and the VAMP714 protein co-localizes with ER and Golgi vesicles and with PIN proteins at the plasma membrane. C_LIO_LIIt is proposed that VAMP714 mediates the delivery of PIN-carrying vesicles to the plasma membrane, and that this forms part of a positive regulatory loop in which auxin activates a VAMP714-dependent PIN/auxin transport system to control development. C_LI