Ectopic expression of WINDING 1 leads to asymmetrical distribution of auxin and a spiral phenotype in rice

Through insertional mutagenesis of rice, Cheng et al. identified a BTBN (Brac/Tramtrack/Broad complex and NPH3 domain)-encoding gene which they named WINDING 1 (WIN1), because the mutant phenotype (caused by ectopic expression in the shoot) causes the shoot to grow in a spiral. Ectopic expression of WIN1 in rice causes an asymmetric distribution of auxin and differential cell elongation in the shoot. The gene, which falls into a monocot-specific clade, has no effect when ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis. In rice, the WIN1 protein normally localizes to the plasma membrane and is enriched at plasmodesmata. The authors propose that WIN1 has a role in auxin redistribution through plasmodesmata. Plant Cell Physiol. 10.1093/pcp/pcx088