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IntroductionVPS45 belongs to the Sec1/Munc18 family of proteins, which interact with and regulate Qa-SNARE function during membrane fusion. We have shown previously thatArabidopsis thalianaVPS45 interacts with the SYP61/SYP41/VTI12 SNARE complex, which locates on thetrans-Golgi network (TGN). It is required for SYP41 stability, and it functions in cargo trafficking to the vacuole and in cell expansion. It is also required for correct auxin distribution during gravitropism and lateral root growth. ResultsAsvps45knockout mutation is lethal in Arabidopsis, we identified a mutant,vps45-3, with a point mutation in theVPS45gene causing a serine 284-to-phenylalanine substitution. The VPS45-3 protein is stable and maintains interaction with SYP61 and SYP41. However,vps45-3plants display severe growth defects with significantly reduced organ and cell size, similar tovps45RNAi transgenic lines that have reduced VPS45 protein levels. Root hair and pollen tube elongation, both processes of tip growth, are highly compromised invps45-3. Mutant root hairs are shorter and thicker than those of wild-type plants, and are wavy. These root hairs have vacuolar defects, containing many small vacuoles, compared with WT root hairs with a single large vacuole occupying much of the cell volume. Pollen tubes were also significantly shorter invps45-3compared to WT. DiscussionWe thus show that VPS45 is essential for proper tip growth and propose that the observed vacuolar defects lead to loss of the turgor pressure needed for tip growth.