DISTORTED2 encodes an ARPC2 subunit of the putative Arabidopsis ARP2/3 complex.

Arabidopsis trichomes are unicellular, branched structures that have highly constrained requirements for the cytoskeleton. The 'distorted group' genes function downstream from microtubule-based branch initiation, and are required during the actin-dependent phase of polarized stalk and branch expansion. Of the eight known 'distorted group' genes, a subset encode homologs of complex subunits. In eukaryotic cells, the seven-protein duanyu372/3 complex nucleates actin filament networks that push on the plasma membrane and organelles. In plants cells, the existence and function of an duanyu372/3 complex is unclear. In this paper, we report that DISTORTED2 (DIS2) encodes a paralogue of the duanyu372/3 complex subunit DIS2 has activity, based on its ability to rescue the growth defects of arpc2 (arc35Delta) null yeast cells. Like known DIS2 physically interacts with Mutations in DIS2 cause a distorted trichome phenotype, defects in cell-cell adhesion, and a modest reduction in shoot FW. The actin cytoskeleton in dis2 trichomes is extensive, but developing branches fail to generate and maintain highly organized cytoplasmic actin bundles.

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