植物生长素胞内运输机制揭示

Core Insights - The research team from the University of Science and Technology of China has discovered the three-dimensional structure of the auxin inward transport protein AUX1, revealing its molecular mechanism for transporting auxin into cells based on proton concentration gradients [1][2] - Auxin, the first discovered plant hormone, plays a crucial role in regulating nearly every aspect of plant growth and development, exhibiting polar transport characteristics [1] - The study fills a significant gap in understanding the polar transport mechanism of auxin, which could have future agricultural applications, including herbicide development and enhancing crop yield and environmental adaptability [2] Group 1 - The research utilized a radioactive isotope-based detection system to confirm that AUX1's auxin binding and transport activity is influenced by proton concentration and inhibited by small molecule inhibitors like CHPAA [2] - High-resolution three-dimensional structures of AUX1 were analyzed in three different states: without substrate, with substrate IAA, and with CHPAA, providing insights into the morphology of AUX1/LAX family proteins [2] - The study proposes a transport model where AUX1 mediates auxin inward transport dependent on proton concentration gradients, contributing to a deeper understanding of plant hormone transport mechanisms [2]