Repression of AS2 by WOX family transcription factors is required for leaf development in Medicago and Arabidopsis

Plant Signal Behav. 2015;10(7):e993291. doi: 10.4161/15592324.2014.993291.

Abstract

WOX transcription factors are key regulators of meristematic activity in plants. The Medicago WOX gene, STF, functions in maintenance of leaf marginal meristem, analogous to the function of WUS in the shoot apical meristem. Both STF and WUS directly repress AS2 expression in their respective domains. Ectopic expression of AS2 with WUS promoter leads to a narrow leaf phenotype and other phenotypes similar to the wus mutant. We also found that a wox1 prs wus triple mutant produces much narrower leaf blades than the wox1 prs double mutant, indicating that WUS genetically interacts with WOX1 and PRS in Arabidopsis leaf blade development. Our data points to a general requirement for AS2 repression in meristematic regions to allow cell proliferation.

Keywords: AS2; Arabidopsis thaliana; Medicago truncatula; STF,; TOPLESS; WOX transcription factor; WUS; co-repressor; leaf development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Medicago truncatula / genetics
  • Medicago truncatula / growth & development*
  • Medicago truncatula / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Leaves / growth & development*
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • AS2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • WOX1 protein, Arabidopsis