CUC2 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

A4U43_C09F14350, designated AoCUC2 (also known as ANAC098, AoANAC031, and CUC3), encodes a NAC-domain transcription factor on asparagus chromosome 9. The product possesses DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activity, localizes to the nucleus, and is associated with the formation of plant organ boundaries, meristem initiation, secondary shoot formation, lateral root morphogenesis, xylem development, and abscisic acid homeostasis. This gene is linked to numerous traits including leaflet and leaf margin morphology, axillary bud morphology, shoot system elongation, seed set, gynoecium development, plant male sterility, gibberellic acid and cytokinin sensitivity, adventitious rootless, shoot axis branching, and whole plant size. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to shoot apical meristem formation, cotyledon boundary specification, floral organ separation, and carpel fusion.