LAS — triticum aestivum

Summary

TRAESCS6B02G191800 (TaLAS, also known as TaMOC1-6B) on wheat chromosome 6B encodes a GRAS family transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA binding and protein homodimerization activity. The gene is associated with axillary shoot meristem initiation, secondary shoot formation, meristem initiation, bundle sheath cell fate specification, radial pattern formation, leaf development, asymmetric cell division, and geotropism. It is linked to responses to nutrients, phosphate ion detection, symbiotic fungi, and arbuscular mycorrhizae formation, as well as regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. The encoded protein localizes to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. TaLAS is associated with tillering, shoot apical meristem growth, and axillary meristem initiation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to tiller formation, panicle number, spikelet number, grain number, grain weight, grain yield, plant height, root number, seed shattering, and heterosis.