The maize SBP-box transcription factor encoded by tasselsheath4 regulates bract development and the establishment of meristem boundaries

Chuck, G., Whipple, C., Jackson, D. P., Hake, S. (2010) The maize SBP-box transcription factor encoded by tasselsheath4 regulates bract development and the establishment of meristem boundaries. Development (Cambridge, England), 137 (8). pp. 1243-1250. ISSN 14779129 (ISSN)

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20223762
DOI: 10.1242/dev.048348

Abstract

Plant architecture consists of repeating units called phytomers, each containing an internode, leaf and axillary meristem. The formation of boundaries within the phytomer is necessary to differentiate and separate these three components, otherwise some will grow at the expense of others. The microRNA-targeted SBP-box transcription factor tasselsheath4 (tsh4) plays an essential role in establishing these boundaries within the inflorescence. tsh4 mutants display altered phyllotaxy, fewer lateral meristems and ectopic leaves that grow at the expense of the meristem. Double-mutant analyses of tsh4 and several highly branched mutants, such as ramosa1-3 and branched silkless1, demonstrated a requirement for tsh4 in branch meristem initiation and maintenance. TSH4 protein, however, was localized throughout the inflorescence stem and at the base of lateral meristems, but not within the meristem itself. Double labeling of TSH4 with the ramosa2, branched silkless1 and knotted1 meristem markers confirmed that TSH4 forms a boundary adjacent to all lateral meristems. Indeed, double labeling of miR156 showed a meristem-specific pattern complementary to that of TSH4, consistent with tsh4 being negatively regulated by this microRNA. Thus, downregulation of TSH4 by a combination of microRNAs and branching pathway genes allows the establishment of lateral meristems and the repression of leaf initiation, thereby playing a major role in defining meristem versus leaf boundaries.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: phytohormone plant RNA primer DNA transcription factor vegetable protein article cotyledon genetics in situ hybridization inflorescence maize meristem molecular cloning mutation phenotype physiology plant leaf polymerase chain reaction ultrastructure Cloning, Molecular DNA Primers Plant Growth Regulators Plant Leaves Plant Proteins RNA, Plant Transcription Factors Zea mays
Subjects: organism description > plant > maize
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > mRNA dynamics
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > meristem
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > transcription factor
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Jackson lab
Depositing User: CSHL Librarian
Date: 2010
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2012 20:22
Last Modified: 08 Apr 2015 13:48
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/25901

Actions (login required)

Administrator's edit/view item Administrator's edit/view item
CSHL HomeAbout CSHLResearchEducationNews & FeaturesCampus & Public EventsCareersGiving