501 / 2019-02-28 18:31:27

Anchorene is a carotenoid-derived regulatory metabolite required for anchor root formation in Arabidopsis

carotenoid,root development,anchorene,anchor root,auxin,arabidopsis

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Anchor roots (ANRs) arise at the root-shoot junction and are the least investigated type of Arabidopsis roots. Here, we show that ANRs originate from pericycle cells in an auxin-dependent manner and require a carotenogenic signal to emerge. By screening known and assumed carotenoid-derivatives, we identified anchorene, a presumed carotenoid-derived dialdehyde (diapocarotenoid), as the specific signal needed for ANR formation. We demonstrate that anchorene is an Arabidopsis metabolite, and that its exogenous application rescues ANR phenotype in carotenoid-deficient plants and promotes the growth of normal seedlings. Nitrogen deficiency resulted in enhanced anchorene content and increased number of ANRs, suggesting a role of this nutrient in determining anchorene content and ANR formation. Transcriptome analysis and treatment of auxin-reporter lines indicate that anchorene triggers ANR formation by modulating auxin homeostasis. Taken together, our work reveals a growth regulator with application potential and a new carotenoid-derived signaling molecule.