Abstract
AS1 and AS2 genes of Arabidopsis encode MYB- and AS2/LOB-domain protein, respectively, and involved in the polarity-dependent leaf development. Both are involved not only in the transcriptional regulation of genes but also in the regulation of small RNA. AS1 protein interacts with AS2 in vitro. miR165/166 and the target genes, HD-ZIPIII, are involved in the adaxial-abaxial polarity establishment in leaves. The lamina expansion and the venation pattern of leaves are altered in as1 and as2 mutants. However, the involvement of miR165/166 in these events remains elusive. Here, we prepared the artificial sequences that presumably repress the function of miR165/166 and the mutant AS2 genes encoding the point mutant proteins deficient in the interaction with AS1 protein. All genes were introduced into the as2 mutant plants under the control of AS2 promoter. The artificial genes could alleviate the leaf phenotype of as2 mutants but the mutant AS2 genes could not.
