Abstract:

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.) genome encodes for four distinct classes of homeodomain leucine-zipper (HD-ZIP) transcription factors (HD-ZIPI to HD-ZIPIV), which are all organized in multi-gene families. HD-ZIP transcription factors act as sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins that are able to control the expression level of target genes. While HD-ZIPI and HD-ZIPII proteins are mainly associated with environmental responses, HD-ZIPIII and HD-ZIPIV are primarily known to act as patterning factors. Recent studies have challenged this view. It appears that several of the different HD-ZIP families interact genetically to align both morphogenesis and environmental responses, most likely by modulating phytohormone-signaling networks.

Brandt R, Cabedo M, Xie Y, Wenkel S (2014) Homeodomain leucine‐zipper proteins and their role in synchronizing growth and development with the environment. J Integr Plant Biol 56: 518–526. doi: 10.1111/jipb.12185

Key words: Transcription factors, homeodomain, leucine zipper, auxin, light signaling, water stress, abscisic acid, leaf development