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From Proteopedia
WUS-HD bound to TAAT DNA
Structural highlights
FunctionWUS_ARATH Transcription factor that plays a central role during early embryogenesis, oogenesis and flowering, probably by regulating expression of specific genes. Required to specify stem cell identity in meristems, such as shoot apical meristem (SAM). May induce shoot stem cells activity in order to maintain the stem cell identity. Involved in the developmental root meristem. In shoot apices, it is sufficient to induce the expression of CLV3, a putative ligand of the CLV signaling pathway. Also required to sustain organogenesis in the floral meristem by contributing to the expression of its own repressor, the AGAMOUS (AG) gene at the end of flower development. Binds directly to the 5'-TTAAT[GC][GC]-3' DNA sequence in the regulatory sequence of AG and activates its expression directly. Regulates one important step in ovule development to induce integument formation from the underlying chalazal domain. Participates in the promotion of vegetative to embryonic transition. Required to repress LEC1 expression.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Publication Abstract from PubMedStem cells are one of the foundational evolutionary novelties that allowed the independent emergence of multicellularity in the plant and animal lineages. In plants, the homeodomain (HD) transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) is essential for the maintenance of stem cells in the shoot apical meristem. WUS has been reported to bind to diverse DNA motifs and to act as transcriptional activator and repressor. However, the mechanisms underlying this remarkable behavior have remained unclear. Here, we quantitatively delineate WUS binding to three divergent DNA motifs and resolve the relevant structural underpinnings. We show that WUS exhibits a strong binding preference for TGAA repeat sequences, while retaining the ability to weakly bind to TAAT elements. This behavior is attributable to the formation of dimers through interactions of specific residues in the HD that stabilize WUS DNA interaction. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for dissecting WUS dependent regulatory networks in plant stem cell control. Structural basis for the complex DNA binding behavior of the plant stem cell regulator WUSCHEL.,Sloan J, Hakenjos JP, Gebert M, Ermakova O, Gumiero A, Stier G, Wild K, Sinning I, Lohmann JU Nat Commun. 2020 May 6;11(1):2223. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16024-y. PMID:32376862[11] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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