VND7 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT1G71930 (VND7) encodes a NAC domain-containing transcription factor that localises to the nucleus and exhibits DNA binding, transcription cis-regulatory region binding, and protein heterodimerization activities. In Arabidopsis thaliana, VND7 is associated with protoxylem vessel formation, vessel element differentiation, xylem vessel member cell differentiation, secondary cell wall biogenesis and deposition, xylogenesis, and tracheary element differentiation. The gene is also linked to cell wall thickening, secondary growth, phloem development, water transport, and cell morphogenesis. Associations with leaf length, leaf shape, leaf senescence, lignin content, root morphology, turgor pressure, callus induction, salt tolerance, and abiotic stress response traits have been reported. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance and xylem formation.