CUC2 — Phaseolus vulgaris

Summary

PHAVU_011G160400, designated PvCUC2, encodes a NAC-domain transcription factor with DNA-binding and transcription coactivator activities. This French bean gene is associated with the regulation of plant organ formation, meristem initiation, and organ boundary specification between lateral organs and the meristem. It has been linked to abscisic acid homeostasis, xylem development, endosperm development, and nitrogen utilization. Associations with agronomically relevant traits include leaflet morphology, leaf margin serration, seed set percent, seed yield, shoot axis branching, plant male sterility, pollen fertility, vegetative growth time, and plant stress response. The gene is also connected to shoot regeneration and organ separation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to cotyledon separation, embryonic shoot meristem formation, and leaf margin dissection.