Abstract
CUC1 (CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON1) and CUC2, redundantly involved in SAM formation and organ separation during embryogenesis, encode NAC domain proteins respectively. Each cuc1 or cuc2 single mutant results in no obvious phenotype, but cuc1 cuc2 double mutant has a cup-shaped cotyledon and lacks an embryonic SAM. To identify genes, involved in these processes together with CUC2, we isolated several enhancers of cuc2 exhibiting a cup-shaped cotyledon phenotype. While more than half of enhancers are novel cuc1 alleles, some have mutations in a NAC box gene (CUC3). We are investigating the role of CUC3 in SAM formation and organ separation.
