REGULATION OF PLANT FORM - IDENTIFICATION OF A MOLECULE CONTROLLING CELL EXPANSION

The form of higher plants is largely dependent upon cell division and expansion patterns. Taking a genetic approach, Takahashi ef al.((1)) h ave identified a regulatory molecule in Arabidopsis thaliana called DI MINUTO (DIM), which is involved in determining the degree and directio n of plant cell expansion, Their extensive characterization of a dim m utant suggested a direct involvement of the DIM gene in regulating cel l elongation, perhaps by modulating the expression of structural genes which determine the orientation and elasticity of the cell wall.