Roles of the Middle Domain-Specific WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX Genes in Early Development of Leaves in Arabidopsis.
28.02.2012
Nakata M, Matsumoto N, Tsugeki R, Rikirsch E, Laux T, Okada K.
Plant Cell. 2012 Feb;24(2):519-35
During leaf development in flowering plants, adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) side–specific genes are responsible for blade outgrowth. Here, we show that two WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) genes, PRESSED FLOWER (PRS)/WOX3 and WOX1 act in blade outgrowth and margin development downstream of adaxial/abaxial polarity establishment. The expression of PRS and WOX1 defines a hitherto undescribed middle domain, including two middle mesophyll layers and the margin, as a center that organizes the outgrowth of leaf blades. The expression of PRS and WOX1 is repressed in the abaxial leaf domain by the abaxial-specific transcription factor KANADI. Our data suggest a model of blade outgrowth and adaxial/abaxial patterning via the middle domain–specific WOX genes in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.
