Multidrug resistance-like genes of Arabidopsis required for auxin transport and auxin-mediated development

Arabidopsis possesses several genes related to the multidrug resistance (MD R) genes of animals, one of which, AtMDR1, was shown to be induced by the h ormone auxin. Plants having mutations in AtMDR1 or its closest relative, At PGP1, were isolated by a reverse genetic strategy. Auxin transport activity was greatly impaired in atmdr1 and atmdr1 atpgp1 double mutant plants. Epi nastic cotyledons and reduced apical dominance were mutant phenotypes consi stent with the disrupted basipetal flow of auxin. The auxin transport inhib itor 1-naphthylphthalamic acid was shown to bind tightly and specifically t o AtMDR1 and AtPGP1 proteins. The results indicate that these two MDR-like genes of Arabidopsis encode 1-naphthylphthalamic acid binding proteins that are required for normal auxin distribution and auxin-mediated development.