The ratio of campesterol to sitosterol that modulates growth in Arabidopsis is controlled by STEROL METHYLTRANSFERASE 2;1

The Arabidopsis genome contains three distinct genes encoding sterol-C24-methyltransferases (SMTs) involved in sterol biosynthesis. The expression of one of them, STEROL METHYLTRANSFERASE 2;1, was modulated in 35S:SMT2;1 Arabidopsis in order to study its physiological function. Plants overexpressing the transgene accumulate sitosterol, a 24-ethylsterol which is thought to be the typical plant membrane reinforcer, at the expense of campesterol. These plants displayed a reduced stature and growth that could be restored by brassinosteroid treatment. Plants showing co-suppression of SMT2;1 were characterized by a predominant 24-methylsterol biosynthetic pathway leading to a high campesterol content and a depletion in sitosterol. Pleiotropic effects on development such as reduced growth, increased branching, and low fertility of high-campesterol plants were not modified by exogenous brassinosteroids, indicating specific sterol requirements to promote normal development. Thus SMT2;1 has a crucial role in balancing the ratio of campesterol to sitosterol in order to fit both growth requirements and membrane integrity.