Enhanced auxin signaling hub triggers root hair growth at moderate low temperature in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Root hairs (RH) as a mixed tip- and non-tip growing protrusions that develop from root epidermal cells are important for nutrient and water uptake, root anchoring, and interaction with soil microorganisms. Although nutrient availability and temperature are critical interlinked factors for sustained plant growth, the molecular mechanisms underlying their sensing and downstream signaling pathways remain unclear. Here, we identified a moderate low temperature (10{degrees}C) condition that triggers a strong RH elongation response involving several molecular components of the auxin pathway. Then, we have determined that auxin biosynthesis carried out by YUCCAs/TAA1, the auxin transport conducted by PIN2/PIN4 and AUX1/PGP4, and the auxin signaling controlled by TIR1/AFB2 coupled to four specific ARFs (ARF6/ARF8 and ARF7/ARF19), are all crucial for the RH response at moderate low temperature. These results uncover the auxin pathway as one central hub under moderate low temperature in the roots to trigger RH growth. Our work highlights the importance of moderate low temperature stimulus as a complex nutritional signal from the media soil into the roots that may be fine-tuned for future biotechnological applications to enhance nutrient uptake.