From Quantitative to Qualitative, a New Mechanism for the Dosage-Dependant Regulation of CLAVATA3 by WUSCHEL Protein

Abstract

WUSCHEL和CLAVATA3是拟南芥茎尖分生组织调控网络中的两个关键基因，它们在茎尖分生组织中的相邻区域表达，在转录水平上存在相互调控关系。现有观点认为WUS蛋白对CLV3的表达主要具激活的功能，Perales等人的近期研究结果发现WUS蛋白可根据其浓度对CLV3转录有激活或抑制的作用。该发现不仅提供了一个WUS与CLV3相互调控的新模式，同时也可解释为什么CLV3在WUS的表达区内没有表达。WUSCHEL and CLAVATA3 are two key genes in the regulatory network of shoot apical meristems in Arabidopsis. They are expressed in the adjacent regions of the shoot apical meristem and regulate each other at the transcriptional level. It is believed that WUS protein can activate the expression of CLV3. Recent studies by Perales et al. found that WUS protein could activate or inhibit the transcription of CLV3 according to its concentration. This finding not only provides a new mode of interaction between WUS and CLV3, but can also explain why CLV3 is not expressed in the WUS-expressing zone.