Abstract
The CLV3/ESR peptide family is a group of small dodecapeptides that play key roles in various cell-cell communications. Among them, CLE41, CLE42 and CLE44 has almost identical amino acid sequences, and the genes coding them falls in a single subgroup. These peptides were conventionally known as inhibitors of differentiation into tracheary elements. However, the analysis of GUS reporter gene under promoters of these genes indicated that, while CLE41 and CLE44 are expressed in vascular bundles, CLE42 is expressed in SAM and axillary buds. . Therefore, we decided to examine SAMs and axillary buds of the plants overexpressing these CLE genes.
Our results suggested that the overexperssed CLE41 and CLE42 or application of the CLE41 or CLE42 peptides can promote axillary bud formation and growth. Taken together with results from gene expression analysis, we will discuss through which pathway these CLE peptides affect the axillary buds.
