ULT Transcription Factor Family
The higher-plant shoot apical meristem is a dynamic structure continuously producing cells that become
incorporated into new leaves, stems and flowers. The maintenance of a constant flow of cells through the
meristem depends on coordination of two antagonistic processes: self-renewal of the stem cell population and
initiation of the lateral organs. This coordination is stringently controlled by gene networks that contain
both positive and negative components. We have previously defined the ULTRAPETALA1 (ULT1) gene as a key
negative regulator of cell accumulation in Arabidopsis shoot and floral meristems, because mutations in ULT1
cause the enlargement of inflorescence and floral meristems, the production of supernumerary flowers and
floral organs, and a delay in floral meristem termination. Here, we show that ULT1 negatively regulates the
size of the WUSCHEL (WUS)-expressing organizing center in inflorescence meristems. We have cloned the ULT1
gene and find that it encodes a small protein containing a B-box-like motif and a SAND domain, a DNA-binding
motif previously reported only in animal transcription factors. ULT1 and its Arabidopsis paralog ULT2 define
a novel small gene family in plants. ULT1 and ULT2 are expressed coordinately in embryonic shoot apical
meristems, in inflorescence and floral meristems, and in developing stamens, carpels and ovules.
Additionally, ULT1 is expressed in vegetative meristems and leaf primordia. ULT2 protein can compensate for
mutant ULT1 protein when overexpressed in an ult1 background, indicating that the two genes may regulate a
common set of targets during plant development. Downregulation of both ULT genes can lead to shoot apical
meristem arrest shortly after germination, revealing a requirement for ULT activity in early development
(Taken from TOBFAC).
More info in:
Notes: ULT is missed in AtPID and AtTFDB for protein protein interaction data.
35+ putative ULT TF sequences,
gene-based blast HSP, and multiple sequence
alignment
in Soy - TFKB.
Domain based search, ULT domain
peptide sequences and aligment in Soy - TFKB.
2 ULT sequences in PlantTFDB. One is partial sequences.
No downloadable sequences in SoyDB.
Last updated by Dr. Jeff Chen on July 20, 2009.