MYB36 controls differentiation of the endodermis into an ion-selective barrier

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Roots are the primary organ that acquires the water and mineral nutrients from the soil essential for plant growth and development. A specialized cell layer in the root, called the endodermis, plays a vital role in these processes by regulating entry of water and mineral nutrients into the vascular system of the plant for transport to the shoot. Of critical important to these functions are Casparian strips, structures that form tight seals between cells, blocking nutrients and water leaking between. The only route for nutrients and water into the vascular system is thus through the endodermis. By blocking leakage around cells Casparian strips allow the endodermis to provide cellular control of nutrient and water uptake by roots. Furthermore, to allow the transport of only the nutrients required for growth and development the endodermis contains proteins that allow specific nutrients to be transported directionally across the endodermis from the soil into the vascular system. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms involved in how this cell layer becomes specialized to perform these functions are largely unknown. Here, we propose to identify these molecular mechanisms using as a tool the newly discovered MYB36 transcription factor that is know to be involved in controlling the differentiation of the endodermis through regulating the development of Casparian strips.