Plant heterotrimeric G protein function:: insights from Arabidopsis and rice mutants

Heterotrimeric G proteins have been implicated in a wide range of plant processes. These include responses to hormones, drought, and pathogens, and developmental events such as lateral root formation, hypocotyl elongation, hook opening, leaf expansion, and silique development. Results and concepts emerging from recent phenotypic analyses of G-protein component mutants in Arabidopsis and rice are adding to our understanding of G-protein mechanisms and functions in higher plants.