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Updated: May 31, 2026
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Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
A mechanistic link between STM and CUC1 during Arabidopsis development
Silvana V Spinelli1, Ana Paula Martin, Ivana L Viola
1Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
Plant Physiology
|June 21, 2011
Summary
The SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) transcription factor directly activates CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1) to regulate Arabidopsis meristem development. STM also induces MIR164a, creating a feedback loop for meristem maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) transcription factor is crucial for establishing and maintaining the apical meristem in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Understanding the direct targets of STM is essential for elucidating meristem regulatory networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the direct downstream targets of the STM transcription factor.
- To investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying meristem establishment and maintenance controlled by STM.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis (up-regulation of CUC1).
- Identification of putative STM binding sites in the CUC1 promoter.
- Analysis of microRNA (MIR164a) induction and its feedback mechanism.
Main Results:
- STM directly and specifically up-regulates the organ boundary gene CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1).
- STM induces CUC2 and microRNA MIR164a in leaf primordia, establishing a negative feedback loop.
- Putative binding sites for STM were identified in the CUC1 promoter, supporting direct regulation.
Conclusions:
- STM acts as a key regulator, directly controlling CUC1 expression for meristem development.
- A regulatory network involving STM, CUC genes, and MIR164a is elucidated, contributing to meristem maintenance.
- These findings provide mechanistic insights into KNOXI and CUC transcription factor interactions.
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