MOLECULAR-GENETIC ANALYSIS OF BRASSINOSTEROID ACTION

Recent applications of molecular techniques to the study of brassinost eroid action have enhanced our understanding of these unique plant gro wth regulators. The cloning of genes regulated by brassinosteroids has revealed novel information on the control of gene expression by plant steroids and has extended our knowledge of brassinosteroid-promoted s ell expansion. The analysis of brassinosteroid-deficient and brassinos teroid-insensitive mutants has implicated these growth regulators in a number of essential developmental programs including organ elongation , leaf development, photomorphogenesis. fertility, apical dominance an d vascular differentiation.