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Sci. Signal., 4 March 2008
Vol. 1, Issue 9, p. ec86
[DOI: 10.1126/stke.19ec86]

EDITORS' CHOICE

Cell Biology Explaining Polarized Growth Patterns

Stella M. Hurtley

Science, AAAS, Cambridge CB2 1LQ, UK

The ability of certain cells to grow in a polarized fashion has been studied for many years, but the mechanisms involved in the process, particularly in plant cell systems, remain unclear. Takeda et al. report the discovery of a positive feedback mechanism that regulates the development of a polarized cell shape in the commonly studied model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The positive feedback system is generated by the local interaction of Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species in root hair cells and is central to the maintenance of active growth at spatially restricted sites during polarized cell elongation.

S. Takeda, C. Gapper, H. Kaya, E. Bell, K. Kuchitsu, L. Dolan, Local positive feedback regulation determines cell shape in root hair cells. Science 319, 1241-1244 (2008). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Citation: S. M. Hurtley, Explaining Polarized Growth Patterns. Sci. Signal. 1, ec86 (2008).

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Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (online), 1945-0877 (print). Pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882