WUS — Zea mays

Summary

ZmWUS (ZM00001EB433010) on maize chromosome 10 encodes a WUSCHEL-like homeodomain transcription factor that binds DNA, RNA and proteins, and is localized to the nucleus and nucleolus. The gene is associated with stem cell proliferation and maintenance, shoot apical meristem identity and development, organ induction and morphogenesis, ear development, callus formation, regeneration, auxin metabolism, and stomium development. It has been linked to numerous traits including ear diameter, spikelet density, floral organ size and identity, inflorescence development, shoot branching, leaf morphology, seed maturation, flowering time, heterosis, and plant stress response. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to shoot meristem stem cell maintenance, somatic embryogenesis, and shoot regeneration efficiency, as well as panicle development, tiller number, grain yield, and stress responses.