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Structural basis for the complex DNA binding behavior of the plant stem cell regulator WUSCHEL

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy Sloan

    (Heidelberg University
    BASF SE)

  • Jana P. Hakenjos

    (Heidelberg University
    Celonic AG)

  • Michael Gebert

    (Heidelberg University)

  • Olga Ermakova

    (Heidelberg University)

  • Andrea Gumiero

    (Heidelberg University
    Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato S.p.A.)

  • Gunter Stier

    (Heidelberg University)

  • Klemens Wild

    (Heidelberg University)

  • Irmgard Sinning

    (Heidelberg University)

  • Jan U. Lohmann

    (Heidelberg University)

Abstract

Stem cells are one of the foundational evolutionary novelties that allowed the independent emergence of multicellularity in the plant and animal lineages. In plants, the homeodomain (HD) transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) is essential for the maintenance of stem cells in the shoot apical meristem. WUS has been reported to bind to diverse DNA motifs and to act as transcriptional activator and repressor. However, the mechanisms underlying this remarkable behavior have remained unclear. Here, we quantitatively delineate WUS binding to three divergent DNA motifs and resolve the relevant structural underpinnings. We show that WUS exhibits a strong binding preference for TGAA repeat sequences, while retaining the ability to weakly bind to TAAT elements. This behavior is attributable to the formation of dimers through interactions of specific residues in the HD that stabilize WUS DNA interaction. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for dissecting WUS dependent regulatory networks in plant stem cell control.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Sloan & Jana P. Hakenjos & Michael Gebert & Olga Ermakova & Andrea Gumiero & Gunter Stier & Klemens Wild & Irmgard Sinning & Jan U. Lohmann, 2020. "Structural basis for the complex DNA binding behavior of the plant stem cell regulator WUSCHEL," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-16024-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16024-y
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