The MAX-dependent hormone is a novel regulator of auxin transport. Modulation of auxin transport in the stem is sufficient to regulate bud outgrowth, independent of AXR1-mediated auxin signaling. We therefore propose an additional mechanism for long-range signaling by auxin in which bud growth is regulated by competition between auxin sources for auxin transport capacity in the primary stem.

The plant shoot body plan is highly variable, depending on the degree of branching. Characterization of the max1-max4 mutants of Arabidopsis demonstrates that branching is regulated by at least one carotenoid-derived hormone. Here we show that all four MAX genes act in a single pathway, with MAX1, MAX3, and MAX4 acting in hormone synthesis, and MAX2 acting in perception. We propose that MAX1 acts on a mobile substrate, downstream of MAX3 and MAX4, which have immobile substrates. These roles for MAX3, MAX4, and MAX2 are consistent with their known molecular identities. We identify MAX1 as a member of the cytochrome P450 family with high similarity to mammalian Thromboxane A2 synthase. This, with its expression pattern, supports its suggested role in the MAX pathway. Moreover, the proposed enzymatic series for MAX hormone synthesis resembles that of two already characterized signal biosynthetic pathways: prostaglandins in animals and oxilipins in plants.