WUS — Brassica napus

Summary

BnWUS (WUS, BnPGA6) on chromosome A06 of oilseed rape encodes a WUSCHEL-like homeodomain protein that binds DNA, RNA and protein and localises to the nucleus, nucleolus and plant-type cell wall. The gene is associated with maintenance of shoot apical meristem identity, stem cell population maintenance, axillary shoot meristem initiation, stomium and anther development, auxin transport and biosynthesis, root hair tip growth, circadian rhythm, glutathione metabolism, and rRNA, snoRNA and tRNA processing. Traits linked to BnWUS include floral organ size, anther and gynoecium morphology, leaf position and morphology, shoot axis branching, meristem identity, flowering time, root and embryo development, auxin sensitivity, and plant stress response. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to shoot meristem regulation, stem cell identity, gametophyte development, and somatic embryogenesis.