Abstract
In Arabidopsis, the CLAVATA (CLV) pathway operates in the regulation of the size of the stem cell population in the shoot apical meristem. CLV3 was shown to function as a dodecapeptide with two hydroxyproline residues and is considered as a ligand for receptor complex(es) containing CLV1 and CLV2. Recent studies have identified a novel receptor, Suppressor of Overexpression of LLP1-2 (SOL2)/CORYNE (CRN), capable of sensing the CLV3 peptide. Our current project aims to understand the precise molecular details of CLV3 signalling mediated by these receptor-like proteins in a target cell. Transient expression of these receptors in N. benthamiana enabled us to conduct biochemical studies on these receptor functions. Our mutational screening of an EMS-mutagenized Col-0 population and a collection of insertional mutants in the selected transcription factors for the CLV3 synthetic peptide insensitivity identified a number of potential candidates. Current progress in this study will be presented.
