InterPro domain: IPR044991

This entry represents tetraspanin (TET) from plants, including TET1-17 from Arabidopsis. TET1, also known as TORNADO 2, is involved in the basipetal transport of auxin (IAA) that modulates growth and organs organization, as well as cell differentiation [ 1 , 2 ]. It plays an role in cellular decisions in the peripheral zone of the shoot apical meristem [ 3 ]. Together with WIH1 and WIH2, TET1 promotes megasporogenesis [ 4 ].

Tetraspanins are a distinct family of proteins, containing four transmembrane domains: a small outer loop (EC1), a larger outer loop (EC2), a small inner loop (IL) and short cytoplasmic tails. They contain characteristic structural features, including 4-6 conserved extracellular cysteine residues, and polar residues within transmembrane domains. A fundamental role of tetraspanins appears to be organizing other proteins into a network of multimolecular membrane microdomains, sometimes called the 'tetraspanin web'.

1. The TORNADO1 and TORNADO2 genes function in several patterning processes during early leaf development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell 18, 852-66
2. The ekeko mutant demonstrates a role for tetraspanin-like protein in plant development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 310, 1054-61
3. Mutations in the TORNADO2 gene affect cellular decisions in the peripheral zone of the shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Mol Biol 63, 731-44
4. Arabidopsis WIH1 and WIH2 genes act in the transition from somatic to reproductive cell fate. Curr Biol 21, 1009-17