Abstract
The bZIP transcription factors are involved in various aspects of plant development. Studies of bZIP group I genes in several species have indicated that they may play a role in vascular development. In order to elucidate the functions of Arabidopsis bZIP group I genes in vascular development, the expression pattern of seven AtbZIP group I genes, AtbZIP18, 29, 30, 51, 52, 59, and 69, were examined in relation to vascular development using promoter::reporter lines of transgenic Arabidopsis plants. AtbZIP18, 51, 52, and 59 were preferentially expressed in developing vascular cells including differentiating vessels and their precursor cells. AtbZIP18, 52, and 59 showed partially overlapping expression in vascular cells of cotyledons, and partially overlapping expression of AtbZIP51, 52, and 59 was observed in root vascular cells. These results suggest that th ese genes may have partially redundant functions in vascular development.
