Abstract
ACTIN DEPOLYMERIZING FACTOR (ADF) is a conserved protein among eukaryotes. The main function of ADF is the severing and depolymerizing filamentous actin (F-actin), thus regulating F-actin organization and dynamics and contributing to growth and development of the organisms. Mammalian genomes contain only a few ADF genes, whereas angiosperm plants have acquired an expanding number of ADFs, resulting in the differentiation of physiological functions. Recent studies have revealed functions of ADFs in plant growth and development, and various abiotic and biotic stress responses. In biotic stress responses, ADFs are involved in both susceptibility and resistance, depending on the pathogens. Furthermore, recent studies have highlighted a new role of ADF in the nucleus, possibly in the regulation of gene expression. In this review, I will summarize the current status of plant ADF research and discuss future research directions.
Highlights
Actin, including both globular (G) and filamentous (F), regulates various cellular functions that are necessary for plants to grow and respond to environmental changes
Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) is a relatively small (13–19 kDa) actin-binding protein that is conserved among eukaryotes
Among 11 members of A. thaliana ADFs, Arabidopsis thaliana ADF1 (AtADF1), −2, −3, and −4, which are classified into subclass I, are expressed throughout the plants at relatively high levels, whereas AtADF7 and AtADF10, which belong to subclass IIa, are expressed only in flowers, in pollens
Summary
Actin, including both globular (G) and filamentous (F), regulates various cellular functions that are necessary for plants to grow and respond to environmental changes. Organisms in animal lineages possess only a few ADF/ cofilin variants, whereas plants have acquired an expanded number of ADFs through evolution Mammals such as mice (Mus musculus) and human (Homo sapiens) possess three ADF/cofilin members, whereas A. thaliana and O. sativa have 11 ADF loci (annotation in rice is referred to Huang et al 2012), and Populus trichocarpa has 14 (Roy-Zokan et al 2015). This expansion of gene number has allowed plant ADF to acquire functional specializations as suggested in many recent reports (e.g., Burgos-Rivera et al 2008; Fu et al 2014; Inada et al 2016; Tang et al 2015; Tian et al 2009; Wang et al 2009b). I will use “ADF/cofilin” to refer to animal proteins, and “ADF” for those in plants
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