CUC2 — Asparagus officinalis

Summary

A4U43_C10F4490, designated AoCUC2, encodes a NAC-domain transcription factor with DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activity. In asparagus, this gene is associated with the regulation of plant organ formation, meristem initiation, organ boundary specification, secondary shoot formation, lateral root morphogenesis, xylem development, and abscisic acid homeostasis. It has been linked to numerous traits including leaflet morphology, leaf margin serration, axillary bud morphology, shoot system elongation, seed set, gynoecium development, shoot branching, seed yield, cytokinin and gibberellic acid sensitivity, plant male sterility, and pollen fertility. The encoded protein localizes to the nucleus and is also associated with endosomal compartments including the recycling endosome and TGN. Studies of related genes in other species link the CUC family to cotyledon separation, leaf margin dissection, shoot meristem formation, and drought tolerance.