Title: Grasses use an alternatively wired bHLH transcription factor network to establish stomatal identity

Abstract

Significance Plants both control and are controlled by the global climate. Grasses in natural and agricultural systems participate in the exchange of atmospheric CO ₂ for biosphere-derived oxygen and water vapor via microscopic epidermal valves (stomata), but how these stomata are made in grasses is unknown. Using genetic screens and targeted genome editing, we identify and characterize master transcriptional regulators of stomatal initiation in the wheat relative Brachypodium . Surprisingly, the unique stomatal form and pattern of grasses is regulated by orthologs of Arabidopsis stomatal basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors, although the function of individual genes and regulation of their protein products have diverged. This finding suggests that the stomatal core bHLH transcription factors are excellent breeding targets to enhance performance in grasses.

Authors:

Raissig, Michael T. ^[1]; Abrash, Emily ^[1]; Bettadapur, Akhila ^[2]; Vogel, John P.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Vogel, John P."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1786-2689"

Bergmann, Dominique C. ^[4]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305,
2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305,
3. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
4. Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305,, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305,

Publication Date:

Tue Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1260426

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC02-05CH11231

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Volume: 113 Journal Issue: 29; Journal ID: ISSN 0027-8424

Publisher:

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English