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MADS ‐box genes underground becoming mainstream: plant root developmental mechanisms
Author(s) -
AlvarezBuylla Elena R.,
GarcíaPonce Berenice,
Sánchez María de la Paz,
EspinosaSoto Carlos,
GarcíaGómez Mónica L.,
PiñeyroNelson Alma,
GarayArroyo Adriana
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.15793
Subject(s) - mads box , biology , meristem , gene , transcription factor , genetics , epigenetics , arabidopsis , gene regulatory network , auxin , gene family , regulation of gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , mutant
Summary Plant growth is largely post‐embryonic and depends on meristems that are active throughout the lifespan of an individual. Developmental patterns rely on the coordinated spatio‐temporal expression of different genes, and the activity of transcription factors is particularly important during most morphogenetic processes. MADS ‐box genes constitute a transcription factor family in eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, their proteins participate in all major aspects of shoot development, but their role in root development is still not well characterized. In this review we synthetize current knowledge pertaining to the function of MADS ‐box genes highly expressed in roots: XAL 1 , XAL 2 , ANR 1 and AGL 21 , as well as available data for other MADS ‐box genes expressed in this organ. The role of Trithorax group and Polycomb group complexes on MADS ‐box genes’ epigenetic regulation is also discussed. We argue that understanding the role of MADS ‐box genes in root development of species with contrasting architectures is still a challenge. Finally, we propose that MADS ‐box genes are key components of the gene regulatory networks that underlie various gene expression patterns, each one associated with the distinct developmental fates observed in the root. In the case of XAL 1 and XAL 2 , their role within these networks could be mediated by regulatory feedbacks with auxin.