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Title: KNOWING WHEN TO GROW: SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PROCESSES REGULATING DORMANCY IN VEGETATIVE BUDS.

Author
item Horvath, David
item Anderson, James
item Chao, Wun
item Foley, Michael

Submitted to: Trends in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2003
Publication Date: 11/2/2003
Citation: Horvath, D.P., Anderson, J.V., Chao, W.S., Foley, M.E. 2003. Knowing when to grow: signal transduction processes regulating dormancy in vegetative buds. Trends in Plant Science. 8:534-540.

Interpretive Summary: We have reviewed the signals and systems regulating dormancy growth and development of adventitious and axillary buds of plants. We described the connection of signals regulating cell division with those regulating bud dormancy and note relationship between these two physiological processes. The specific signals regulating para-, endo-, and eco-dormancy are discussed. A demonstration of the parallels between control of flowering and endo-dormancy illuminates potential common signaling motifs between these processes and implicates chromatin remodeling as a novel mechanism in initiation and breaking of endo-dormancy. Finally, a unifying schematic demonstrating the interaction of the various signals regulating the different aspects of dormancy is shown.

Technical Abstract: Dormancy regulation in vegetative buds is a complex process necessary for plant survival, development, and architecture. In many cases, release of dormancy results in increased cell division and changes in developmental programs, and much can be learned about dormancy regulation by identifying interactions of signals in these critical processes. Internal signals such as hormones and sugar, and external signals such as light act though specific and overlapping signal transduction pathways to regulate endo-, eco-, and para-dormancy. Epigenetic-like regulation of endo-dormancy suggests a possible role for chromatin remodeling similar to that known for vernalization responses in flowering.