The axr6 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana define a gene involved in auxin response and early development

The indolic compound auxin regulates virtually every aspect of plant growth and development, but its role in embryogenesis and its molecular mechanism of action are not understood. We describe two mutants of Arabidopsis that define a novel gene called AUXIN-RESISTANT6 (AXR6) which maps to chromosome 4. Embryonic development of the homozygous axr6 mutants is disrupted by aberrant patterns of cell division, leading to defects in the cells of the suspensor, root and hypocotyl precursors, and provasculature. The homozygous axr6 mutants arrest growth soon after germination lacking a root and hypocotyl and with severe vascular pattern defects in their cotyledons. Whereas previously described mutants with similar developmental defects are completely recessive, axr6 heterozygotes display a variety of morphological and physiological alterations that are most consistent with a defect in auxin physiology or response. The AXR6 gene is likely to be important for auxin response throughout the plant, including early development.