MCD BIO C141 Chapter Notes - Chapter N/A: Small Interfering Rna, Meristem, Zipper
15 May 2020
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Shoot apical meristem (sam) development is coordinately regulated by two interdependent signaling events: one maintaining stem cell identity and the other governing the initiation of lateral organs from the flanks of the sam. The signaling networks involved in this process are interconnected and are regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms. Class iii homeodomainleucine zipper (hd-zip iii) proteins are the most extensively studied transcription factors involved in this regulation. However, how different signals are integrated tomaintain stem cell identity and to pattern lateral organ polarity remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that a small zip protein, zpr3, and its functionally redundant homolog, zpr4, negatively regulate the hd-zip iii activity in sam development. Zpr3 directly interacts with phabulosa (phb) and other hd-zip iii proteins via the zip motifs and forms nonfunctional heterodimers. Accordingly, a double mutant, zpr3-2 zpr4-2, exhibits an altered sam activity with abnormal stem cell maintenance. However, the mutant displays normal patterning of leaf polarity.
