A molecular framework for the embryonic initiation of shoot meristem stem cells
Zhang Z, Tucker E, Hermann M, Laux T.
Dev Cell. 2017;40(3):264-277
Expression of the plant shoot stem cell marker CLV3 is detectable in early embryos, but the regulator of stem cell homeostasis WUSCHEL (WUS) is dispensable for stem cell initiation. Rather, the WUS paralog WOX2 functions in this process by preventing their differentiation. WOX2 upregulates HD-ZIP III transcription factors and balances cytokinin versus auxin hormone pathways. Our findings link transcriptional regulation of early embryo patterning to hormonal control of stem cell initiation.
