[What Does the WOX Say? Review of Regulators, Targets, Partners]

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) proteins are essential transcription factors in plants.
• They play critical roles in maintaining meristem activity and regulating organ formation.
• WOX proteins control fundamental processes like cell proliferation and differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of WOX transcription factor functions.
• To elucidate the targets, partners, and regulators of WOX proteins.
• To organize information on WOX family members based on phylogenetic clades.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of WOX family functions, targets, partners, and regulators.
• Phylogenetic analysis to categorize WOX proteins into ancient, intermediate, and WUS clades.
• Focus on Arabidopsis thaliana WOX genes with consideration of orthologs in other plant species.

Main Results:

• The WOX family is divided into three distinct phylogenetic clades: ancient, intermediate, and WUS.
• Detailed descriptions of WOX gene functions, targets, partners, and regulators are presented for each clade.
• Summary tables provide an organized overview of WOX family interactions and functions.

Conclusions:

• WOX transcription factors are central regulators of plant development and organogenesis.
• This review consolidates current knowledge on WOX proteins, facilitating further research.
• Understanding WOX family roles is vital for applications in plant biotechnology, including transformation and genome editing.