Abstract
The Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER) gene plays an important role in regulating the shape of organs derived from the shoot apical meristem. The ER gene encodes a putative receptor protein kinase and has been implicated to mediate a signal transduction, which is required for proper development.
Recent researches have revealed some aspects of downstream events of the ER pathway. These results predicted the role of ER in auxin biosynthesis or epidermis differentiation. However, we have comparatively little information about the upstream factors controlling the ER pathway. Toward understanding the molecular nature of the ER signaling pathway, we have focused on identifying components of the regulatory network of the transcription of ER. To this end, we have performed an EMS mutagenesis screen using a line expressing GUS reporter under the control of the endogenous ER promoter. We will report recent findings and future perspectives obtained from the analysis of these mutants.
