Principal Investigator:

Prof. Dr. Jan Lohmann
Universität Heidelberg
Centre for Organismal Studies
Stammzellbiologie
Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120 Heidelberg
+49  6221 – 54 6269
Fax +49 6221 – 54 6424
jan.lohmannspam prevention@cos.uni-heidelberg.de
 

Summary:

During plant development, dynamic signals need to be translated into spatially precise gene expression states, which define cell fate. In the shoot apical meristem, stem cells continuously divide in the centre, while cells at the periphery are induced to differentiate by dynamic auxin signals. While the WUSCHEL transcription factor limits auxin responses in the centre of the meristem, WUSCHEL and auxin outputs do overlap in floral meristems. We will now study a group of DOF domain transcription factors to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this spatial specificity, based on their ability to interact with WUSCHEL and to interfere with its activity to repress auxin output.