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The rough sheath2 gene negatively regulates homeobox gene expression during maize leaf development
R Schneeberger1, M Tsiantis, M Freeling
1Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3102, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|July 10, 1998
Summary
The rough sheath2 (rs2) gene is essential for normal leaf development in plants. Mutations in rs2 disrupt the repression of knotted1-like homeobox (knox) genes, leading to abnormal leaf shapes and structures.
Area of Science:
- Plant developmental biology
- Molecular genetics
- Gene regulation
Background:
- Leaf development originates from the shoot apical meristem.
- Down-regulation of knotted1-like homeobox (knox) genes is critical for leaf cell fate acquisition.
- Perturbed knox gene expression leads to abnormal leaf morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify genes required for leaf cell fate acquisition.
- Investigate the role of the rough sheath2 (rs2) gene in leaf development.
Main Methods:
- Genetic screening for recessive mutations affecting leaf development.
- Analysis of rs2 mutant phenotypes (dwarfism, leaf twisting, vascular patterning).
- Gene expression studies to examine knox gene regulation in rs2 mutants.
Main Results:
- rs2 mutations cause pleiotropic phenotypes sensitive to genetic background and environment.
- knox gene repression is initially impaired and not maintained in rs2 mutants.
- Ectopic or over-expressed knox genes are observed in developing and mature leaves of rs2 mutants.
Conclusions:
- The rs2 gene product likely represses knox gene expression, directly or indirectly.
- rs2 gene function is crucial for establishing normal leaf morphology.
- Understanding rs2 function provides insights into the genetic control of plant development.