Thioredoxins and glutaredoxins in development

In this review we describe three recent genetic studies that implicate thioredoxins (TRX) and glutaredoxins (GRX) in higher plant development. Firstly, ROXY genes, members of the plant specific CC-type GRX, are implicated in petal and anther development by controlling the nuclear activity of TGA transcription factors. Secondly, the cytosolic NADPH TRX reductase (NTR) and glutathione (GSH) pathways of TRX and GRX reduction are redundant and control apical meristem development. Finally, chloroplastic TRX m3 is implicated in plasmodesmata permeability and its inactivation blocks root growth and leaf development at an early stage after germination. These results demonstrate the power of genetic approaches for studying redox regulation in plants and reveal new functions that were previously unexpected despite an extensive structural, biochemical and proteomic literature. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.