Brassinosteroids (BRs) are natural plant hormones critical for growth and development. BR-deficient or signaling mutants show significantly shortened root phenotypes. But for a long time, it was thought that these p...Brassinosteroids (BRs) are natural plant hormones critical for growth and development. BR-deficient or signaling mutants show significantly shortened root phenotypes. But for a long time, it was thought that these phenotypes were solely caused by reduced root cell elongation in the mutants. Functions of BRs in regulating root development have been largely neglected. Recent detailed analyses, however, revealed that BRs are not only involved in root cell elongation but are also involved in many aspects of root development, such as maintenance of meristem size, root hair formation, lateral root initiation, gravitropic response, mycorrhiza formation, and nodulation in legume species. In this review, current findings on the functions of BRs in mediating root growth, development, and symbiosis are discussed.展开更多
文摘Brassinosteroids (BRs) are natural plant hormones critical for growth and development. BR-deficient or signaling mutants show significantly shortened root phenotypes. But for a long time, it was thought that these phenotypes were solely caused by reduced root cell elongation in the mutants. Functions of BRs in regulating root development have been largely neglected. Recent detailed analyses, however, revealed that BRs are not only involved in root cell elongation but are also involved in many aspects of root development, such as maintenance of meristem size, root hair formation, lateral root initiation, gravitropic response, mycorrhiza formation, and nodulation in legume species. In this review, current findings on the functions of BRs in mediating root growth, development, and symbiosis are discussed.