What Does the WOX Say? Review of Regulators, Targets, Partners

Abstract

WOX (WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX) is a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors in plants. WOX proteins maintain the activity of different types of meristems and regulate the formation of plant organs, controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Study of the WOX family is important for the development of plant transformation and genome editing techniques. Here we review the functions of the WOX transcription factors as well as their targets, partners, and regulators. The WOX family can be divided into three phylogenetically distinct clades: so-called ancient, intermediate, and WUS clade; each clade is covered in a separate section. The WOX genes of Arabidopsis thaliana are described most comprehensively, with their orthologs in other plant species also considered. Summary tables with the described targets, regulators and partners of WOX family members are provided.