Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2001; 3(4): 335-340
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16452
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Short-Term Boron Deprivation Induces Increased Levels of Cytoskeletal Proteins in Arabidopsis Roots

Q. Yu 1,4 , R. Wingender 2 , M. Schulz 2 , F. Baluška 3 , H. E. Goldbach 1
  • 1 Agricultural Chemistry Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
  • 2 Agricultural Botany, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
  • 3 Botany Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
  • 4 College of Biotechnology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 China
Further Information

Publication History

December 15, 2000

April 4, 2001

Publication Date:
16 August 2001 (online)

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Abstract

Although boron is known to be an essential element for the growth of all higher plants, the links between primary responses to boron deprivation and the expression of visual symptoms are yet unknown. Western blots with anti-actin and anti-tubulin antibodies revealed an increase of both proteins upon 20 - 40 min of boron deprivation in roots of hydroponically grown Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, actin depolymerizing factor and myosin VIII showed a less pronounced but similiar response to boron deficiency. In contrast, no increase in higher molecular mass ubiquitin was observed, indicating an absence of intensive protein degradation during the experimental time span. This is the first report of cytoskeletal responses of plants to short-term boron removal. Rapid elevation of cytoskeletal proteins after boron deprivation is discussed in relation to the cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton continuum.