Author:
Nakayama Hokuto,Sinha Neelima R.
Abstract
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, numerous homeobox genes have been identified and their functions have been elucidated. Many studies in various plant species have revealed that
Knotted‐like homeobox
(
KNOX
) genes, the first identified
homeobox
gene in plants, play a profound role in shoot apical meristem organisation, maintenance, and leaf initiation. In addition to the
KNOX
gene, numerous other
homeobox
genes have been discovered (e.g.,
BEL1‐like homeodomain
,
Homeodomain leucine zipper
, and
WUSCHEL‐related homeobox
genes) and play important roles in plant development. Moreover, in recent years, it has become clear that the
homeobox
genes also contribute to morphological diversity in plants.
Key Concepts
Homeobox (HB) genes encode a subset of transcription factors that contain a homeodomain
In plants, several groups of HB genes (e.g.,
KNOTTED‐like homeobox
,
BEL1‐like homeodomain
,
Homeodomain leucine zipper
, and
WUSCHEL‐related homeobox
genes) have been shown to have a distinct role in the development.
The HB genes are involved in a wide range of developmental processes (e.g., stem cell maintenance in the SAM and floral meristems, cambium, and root meristem, leaf development, vascular development, embryo patterning, etc.).
Recent studies revealed that changes in HB genes led to leaf form diversification and that HB genes are involved in alteration in response to environmental changes in a single plant.