WUS — Brassica napus

Summary

BnWUS (WUS, BnPGA6) on chromosome A07 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. In B. napus the gene is associated with stem cell population maintenance, shoot apical meristem identity and development, axillary shoot meristem initiation, auxin transport and anabolism, stomium and anther development, root hair tip growth, seed germination, circadian rhythm, rRNA and sno(s)RNA processing, and glutathione metabolism. It is linked to floral organ size, anther morphology, leaf morphology and position, shoot axis branching, inflorescence and gynoecium development, meristem identity, auxin sensitivity, flowering time, plant stress response, embryo development, and cell cycle traits. Related genes in other species are associated with shoot meristem regulation, stem cell identity, gametophyte development, and fertility.