Bio:
B.S. (1987), M.S. (1989), Ph.D. (1993): Biology (major in Biochemistry and Biophysics). Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Washington 1999
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington 2002
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington 2005
Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington 2009
Affiliate Faculty, University of Washington Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (2006-)
Research Interests:
 In higher plants, lateral organs are generated reiteratively by the continual activity of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Because plant cells are encapsulated by cell walls, organogenesis occurs in the absence of cell migration or removal of overproduced cells. As such, signals that coordinate proliferation, expansion, and differentiation of the neighboring cells are critical for proper organ growth, and hence, the overall plant size, patterns and architecture. The goal of research in the Torii lab is to elucidate molecular and cellular bases of the coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation during plant organ morphogenesis. Recently, we discovered that three receptor kinases that regulate cell proliferation and organ growth together control stomatal patterning. Stomata are turgor-driven valves on the surface of land plants. Stomata play critical roles for gas exchange between plants and atmosphere for carbon fixation, respiration, and transpiration (i.e. water movement). Our latest breakthrough includes the identification of "master regulatory genes" that direct asymmetric cell division and stomatal differentiatin. Our resaerch opens a door to understand the fundamental genetic and cellular signaling mechanisms that govern two critical aspects of plant functions, organ growth and stomatal development.
|
Selected Publications:
Hara, K., Yokoo, T., Kajita, R., Onishi, T., Yahata, S. Peterson, K.M., Torii K.U., and Kakimoto, T. (2009). Epidermal cell density is auto-regulated via a secretory peptide, EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR2, in Arabidopsis leaves . Plant and Cell Physiology 50, 1019-1031Pillitteri, L.J., Bogenschutz, N.L., Torii, K.U. (2008) The bHLH protein, MUTE, controls differentiation of stomata and the hydathode pore in Arabidopsis. Plant and Cell Physiology 49, 934-943 Kanaoka, M.M., Pillitteri, L.J., Fujii, H., Yoshida, Y., Bogenschutz, N.L., Takabayashi, J., Zhu, J.K., and Torii, K.U. (2008) SCREAM/ICE1 and SCREAM2 specify three cell-state transitional steps leading to Arabidopsis stomatal differentiation. Plant Cell 10, 1775-1785 Pillitteri, L.J., Bemis, S.M., Shpak, E.D., and Torii, K.U. (2007) Haploinsufficiency after successive loss of signaling reveals a role for ERECTA-family genes in ovule development. Development 134, 3099-3109 Hara, K., Kajita, R., Torii, K.U. Bergmann, D.C., and Kakimoto, T. (2007) A Secretory peptide gene EPF1 enforces the stomatal one-cell spacing rule. Genes & Development 15, 1720-1725 Bemis, S.M. and Torii, K.U. (2007) Autonomy of cell proliferation and developmental programs during Arabidopsis aboveground organ morphogenesis. Developental Biology 304, 367-381 Pillitteri, L.J., Sloan, D.B., Bogenschutz, N.L, and Torii, K.U. (2007) Termination of asymmetric cell division and differentiation of stomata. Nature 445, 501-505 Shpak E.D., McAbee, J.M., Pillitteri, L.J., and Torii, K.U. (2005) Stomatal patterning and differentiation by synergistic interactions of receptor kinases. Science 309,290-293 Enns, L.C,, Kanaoka, M.M., Torii, K.U., Comai, L., Okada, K., and Cleland, R.E. (2005) Two callose synthases, GSL1 and GSL5, play an essential and redundant role in plant and pollen development and in fertility. Plant Molecular Biology 58, 333-349 Woodward, C., Bemis, S.M., Hill, E.J., Sawa, S., Koshiba, T., and Torii, K.U. (2005) Interaction of auxin and ERECTA in elaborating Arabidopsis inflorescence architecture revealed by the activation-tagging of a new member of the YUCCA-family putative flavin monooxygenases. Plant Physiology 139, 192-203 Shpak, E.D., Berthiaume, C.T., Hill, E.J., and Torii, K.U. (2004) Synergistic interaction of three ERECTA-family receptor-like kinases controls Arabidopsis organ growth and flower development by promoting cell proliferation. Development 131: 1491-1501 Godiard, L., Sauviac, L., Torii, K.U., Grenon, O., Mangin, B, Grimsley, N.H., and Marco, Y. (2003) ERECTA, an LRR-receptor kinase protein controlling development pleiotropically affects resistance to bacterial wilt. Plant Journal, 36:353-365 Shpak, E.D., Lakeman, M.B., Torii, K.U. (2003) Dominant-negative receptor uncovers redundancy in the Arabidopsis ERECTA leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase signaling pathway that regulates organ shape. Plant Cell 15: 1095-1110.
Teaching Interests:
|
