MUTE — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT3G06120, known as MUTE, encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor belonging to the FAMA/SPEECHLESS/MUTE family. It localises to the nucleus and exhibits core promoter and cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding, protein dimerization activity, and transcription factor activity. MUTE is associated with stomatal lineage progression, guard cell morphogenesis, epidermal cell differentiation, and symmetric cell division. It is also linked to cell cycle control (G1 and G2 phases), floral organ formation, cell fate determination, and histogenesis. Associations extend to photosynthetic electron transport, flavone metabolism, and regulation of abscisic acid anabolism. Traits connected to MUTE include stomatal development, transpiration rate, seed longevity and viability, germination rate, seedling growth, root morphology, flowering time, cold and temperature stress responses, disease tolerance, and pollen fertility. Related genes in other species link the family to cold acclimation, freezing tolerance, and stomatal differentiation.