AFO — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsAFO (AFO), also known as LsYAB1, LsYAB2, LsYAB5, and LsFIL, is a YABBY family transcription factor on chromosome 7 of garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa). It encodes a nuclear protein with DNA-binding and transcription factor activity. The gene is associated with the specification of organ position, floral organ identity, carpel and anther development, and the regulation of leaf and shoot apical meristem development. It is linked to adaxial/abaxial axis polarity, meristem determinacy, and cytokinin breakdown. Associations also include leaf angle, leaf morphology, flowering time, and sporogenesis. Studies of related YABBY genes in other species connect the family to leaf lamina area, inflorescence branching, fruit ripening, and disease tolerance, including viral and drought resistance.