WUS — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_5G021930 (MtWUS) encodes a WUSCHEL-like homeodomain transcription factor with DNA and RNA binding activity. In barrel medic, this gene is associated with stem cell population maintenance, shoot apical meristem identity, compound leaf morphogenesis, axillary shoot meristem initiation, floral organ and carpel development, stomium development, dedifferentiation, regeneration, root hair tip growth, and cytokinin biosynthesis. It is linked to numerous traits including meristem identity and development, floral organ size and identity, leaf morphology, shoot branching, stem elongation, flowering time, seed maturation, auxin sensitivity, and stress response. Related genes in other species are linked to shoot meristem regulation, stem cell identity, embryo development, and somatic embryogenesis.