HB-3 — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_4G088080 (MtHB-3, also known as MtWOX9A, MtSTIP, and MtWOX9B) on barrel medic chromosome 4 encodes a homeodomain transcription factor of the WOX8/9-like family with DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activity. The gene is associated with numerous developmental processes including cotyledon boundary formation, cell polarization, plant organ formation, leaf abscission, regeneration, adventitious root development, regulation of meristem size, floral organ development, and meiotic cytokinesis. It is linked to gibberellic acid homeostasis and signaling, salicylic acid-mediated signaling, regulation of seed dormancy, and nitrogen utilization. Associations with agronomic traits include seed set, shoot elongation, whole plant size, male sterility, pollen fertility, drought tolerance, anthocyanin content, leaf senescence, flowering time, and root thickness. The protein localizes to both cytoplasm and nucleus. Related genes in other species link the family to embryonic patterning, zygote asymmetry, and basal cell fate determination.