BLH2 — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsBLH2 (BLH2, also known as LsSAW1, LsBLH4, BEL13, BEL22, LsBEL22, LsSAW2) on chromosome 4 of garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa) encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription regulator with DNA-binding, protein homodimerization, and transcription cis-regulatory region binding activities. The gene is associated with cytokinin breakdown, gibberellin biosynthesis, mucilage pectin metabolism, leaf formation, polarity specification of the adaxial/abaxial axis, asymmetric cell division, plant ovule development, and regulation of innate immune response and DNA-templated transcription. It is linked to defence responses to bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Associations include leaf margin serration, leaf angle, shoot growth angle, flowering time, flower abscission zone morphology, fruit growth and development, inflorescence and meristem development, and arsenic concentration. The protein localizes to the nucleus, nucleolus, cytosol, plasmodesma, and condensed chromosome. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to ovule identity, integument development, leaf adaxial identity, and fruit patterning.