| Structural highlights
Function
WUS_ARATH Transcription factor that plays a central role during early embryogenesis, oogenesis and flowering, probably by regulating expression of specific genes. Required to specify stem cell identity in meristems, such as shoot apical meristem (SAM). May induce shoot stem cells activity in order to maintain the stem cell identity. Involved in the developmental root meristem. In shoot apices, it is sufficient to induce the expression of CLV3, a putative ligand of the CLV signaling pathway. Also required to sustain organogenesis in the floral meristem by contributing to the expression of its own repressor, the AGAMOUS (AG) gene at the end of flower development. Binds directly to the 5'-TTAAT[GC][GC]-3' DNA sequence in the regulatory sequence of AG and activates its expression directly. Regulates one important step in ovule development to induce integument formation from the underlying chalazal domain. Participates in the promotion of vegetative to embryonic transition. Required to repress LEC1 expression.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Stem cells are one of the foundational evolutionary novelties that allowed the independent emergence of multicellularity in the plant and animal lineages. In plants, the homeodomain (HD) transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) is essential for the maintenance of stem cells in the shoot apical meristem. WUS has been reported to bind to diverse DNA motifs and to act as transcriptional activator and repressor. However, the mechanisms underlying this remarkable behavior have remained unclear. Here, we quantitatively delineate WUS binding to three divergent DNA motifs and resolve the relevant structural underpinnings. We show that WUS exhibits a strong binding preference for TGAA repeat sequences, while retaining the ability to weakly bind to TAAT elements. This behavior is attributable to the formation of dimers through interactions of specific residues in the HD that stabilize WUS DNA interaction. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for dissecting WUS dependent regulatory networks in plant stem cell control.
Structural basis for the complex DNA binding behavior of the plant stem cell regulator WUSCHEL.,Sloan J, Hakenjos JP, Gebert M, Ermakova O, Gumiero A, Stier G, Wild K, Sinning I, Lohmann JU Nat Commun. 2020 May 6;11(1):2223. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16024-y. PMID:32376862[11]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Schoof H, Lenhard M, Haecker A, Mayer KF, Jurgens G, Laux T. The stem cell population of Arabidopsis shoot meristems in maintained by a regulatory loop between the CLAVATA and WUSCHEL genes. Cell. 2000 Mar 17;100(6):635-44. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80700-x. PMID:10761929 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80700-x
- ↑ Lohmann JU, Hong RL, Hobe M, Busch MA, Parcy F, Simon R, Weigel D. A molecular link between stem cell regulation and floral patterning in Arabidopsis. Cell. 2001 Jun 15;105(6):793-803. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00384-1. PMID:11440721 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00384-1
- ↑ Lenhard M, Bohnert A, Jurgens G, Laux T. Termination of stem cell maintenance in Arabidopsis floral meristems by interactions between WUSCHEL and AGAMOUS. Cell. 2001 Jun 15;105(6):805-14. PMID:11440722
- ↑ Zuo J, Niu QW, Frugis G, Chua NH. The WUSCHEL gene promotes vegetative-to-embryonic transition in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 2002 May;30(3):349-59. PMID:12000682
- ↑ Gross-Hardt R, Lenhard M, Laux T. WUSCHEL signaling functions in interregional communication during Arabidopsis ovule development. Genes Dev. 2002 May 1;16(9):1129-38. doi: 10.1101/gad.225202. PMID:12000795 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gad.225202
- ↑ Brand U, Grunewald M, Hobe M, Simon R. Regulation of CLV3 expression by two homeobox genes in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2002 Jun;129(2):565-75. doi: 10.1104/pp.001867. PMID:12068101 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1104/pp.001867
- ↑ Lenhard M, Jurgens G, Laux T. The WUSCHEL and SHOOTMERISTEMLESS genes fulfil complementary roles in Arabidopsis shoot meristem regulation. Development. 2002 Jul;129(13):3195-206. PMID:12070094
- ↑ Gallois JL, Woodward C, Reddy GV, Sablowski R. Combined SHOOT MERISTEMLESS and WUSCHEL trigger ectopic organogenesis in Arabidopsis. Development. 2002 Jul;129(13):3207-17. PMID:12070095
- ↑ Gallois JL, Nora FR, Mizukami Y, Sablowski R. WUSCHEL induces shoot stem cell activity and developmental plasticity in the root meristem. Genes Dev. 2004 Feb 15;18(4):375-80. doi: 10.1101/gad.291204. PMID:15004006 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gad.291204
- ↑ Mayer KF, Schoof H, Haecker A, Lenhard M, Jurgens G, Laux T. Role of WUSCHEL in regulating stem cell fate in the Arabidopsis shoot meristem. Cell. 1998 Dec 11;95(6):805-15. PMID:9865698
- ↑ Sloan J, Hakenjos JP, Gebert M, Ermakova O, Gumiero A, Stier G, Wild K, Sinning I, Lohmann JU. Structural basis for the complex DNA binding behavior of the plant stem cell regulator WUSCHEL. Nat Commun. 2020 May 6;11(1):2223. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16024-y. PMID:32376862 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16024-y
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