Abstract
The NAC transcription factors, VND6 and SND1/NST3, have been shown to be master regulators for differentiation of metaxylem vessel cells and fiber cells, respectively. However, how these processes are regulated by VND6 and SND1 is unclear. To investigate downstream genes regulated by VND6 or SND1, we established novel in vitro transgenic systems using Arabidopsis suspension cultured cells in which VND6 or SND1 was overexpressed. We confirmed that the in vitro culture systems could reflect processes of xylem cell differentiation in planta. Then, we performed microarray experiments with the suspension cultured cells we had established. We identified a number of downstream genes. Based on these results, we will discuss the gene regulation mechanism of xylem cell differentiation.
