Abstract
Plant specific transcription factor NAC family was first identified as the responsible gene for "No apical Meristem (NAM)" mutant of Petunia. In Arabidopsis, more than 100 genes have been shown to encode NAC domain transcription factors. However, functions of most NAC genes remain to be clarified. One of the possible reasons that interfere with the characterization of this family is due to their functional redundancy. To characterize the function of the redundant NAC transcription factors, we applied novel gene silencing technology, the CRES-T system, to all the NAC genes of Arabidopsis, in which transcriptional repression domain is fused to C terminal of the transcription factor. As the chimeric repressor acts dominantly, this system can overcome gene redundancy. In this report, we describe that number of NAC genes other than CUC1, CUC2 and CUC3 are involved in the separation of cotyledons, sepals and other tissues.
