Abstract
TheArabidopsis TCP10gene encodes a putatibu transcription factor carrying a basic helix-loop-helix type DNA-binding motif, named TCP domain. To elucidate the relevant biological function of TCP10, we first identified an insertional mutation of TCP10, named tcp10-1. The tcp10-1 mutants exhibited semi-dwarf phenotype, namely, short hypocotyls, petioles and influorescent stems. Hitological analysis revealed that the cells in the shortened influorescence have normal cell length and shape. Number of the epidermal cells in shortened hypocotyls was decreased. Ploidy analysis showed that the mutant cells of the seedlings have reduced DNA content. In contrast, the overproducers of TCP10exhibited long hypocotyls as well as increased DNA content. Expression of TCP10was observed in dividing tissues, such as late stage of embryogenesis, shoot apical meristems and floral meristems. These data strongly suggest that the TCP10 gene product functions as a positive factor in cell division cycle, especially G1/S transition.
