Abstract: WOX (WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX) is a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors in plants. WOX proteins maintain the activity of different types of meristems and regulate the formation of plant organs, controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Study of the WOX family is important for the development of plant transformation and genome editing techniques. Here we review the functions of the WOX transcription factors as well as their targets, partners, and regulators. The WOX family can be divided into three phylogenetically distinct clades: so-called ancient, intermediate, and WUS clade; each clade is covered in a separate section. The WOX genes of Arabidopsis thaliana are described most comprehensively, with their orthologs in other plant species also considered. Summary tables with the described targets, regulators and partners of WOX family members are provided.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)311-337
Number of pages27
JournalMolecular Biology
Volume55
Issue number3
Early online date5 Mar 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology

    Research areas

  • plant development, trancription factors, WOX, WUS, CROWN ROOT DEVELOPMENT, ARABIDOPSIS SHOOT, CONFINE WUSCHEL EXPRESSION, SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS, FLORAL ORGAN DEVELOPMENT, LEAF BLADE OUTGROWTH, HOMEOBOX GENE FAMILY, SHOOT APICAL MERISTEM, STEM-CELL MAINTENANCE, TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR

ID: 85202626