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Conservation and Diversification of SCARECROW in Maize

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Abstract

The SCARECROW (SCR) gene in Arabidopsis is required for asymmetric cell divisions responsible for ground tissue formation in the root and shoot. Previously, we reported that Zea mays SCARECROW (ZmSCR) is the likely maize ortholog of SCR. Here we describe conserved and divergent aspects of ZmSCR. Its ability to complement the Arabidopsis scr mutant phenotype suggests conservation of function, yet its expression pattern during embryogenesis and in the shoot system indicates divergence. ZmSCR expression was detected early during embryogenesis and localized to the endodermal lineage in the root, showing a gradual regionalization of expression. Expression of ZmSCR appeared to be analogous to that of SCR during leaf formation. However, its absence from the maize shoot meristem and its early expression pattern during embryogenesis suggest a diversification of ZmSCR in the patterning processes in maize. To further investigate the evolutionary relationship of SCR and ZmSCR, we performed a phylogenetic analysis using Arabidopsis, rice and maize SCARECROW-LIKE genes (SCLs). We found SCL23 to be the most closely related to SCR in both eudicots and monocots, suggesting that a gene duplication resulting in SCR and SCL23 predates the divergence of dicots and monocots.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 143-701, Seoul, Korea

    Jun Lim

  2. Bio/Molecular Informatics Center (BMIC), Konkuk University, 143-701, Seoul, Korea

    Jun Lim, Chae Eun Lim, Mi-Hyun Lee, Bong Jun Kim & Miran Kim

  3. Department of Advanced Technology Fusion, Konkuk University, 143-701, Seoul, Korea

    Jun Lim, Mi-Hyun Lee, Bong Jun Kim & Miran Kim

  4. Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA

    Jee W. Jung & Philip N. Benfey

  5. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Johnston, Iowa, 50131, USA

    Wesley B. Bruce

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  1. Jun Lim
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Lim, J., Jung, J.W., Lim, C.E. et al. Conservation and Diversification of SCARECROW in Maize. Plant Mol Biol 59, 619–630 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-005-0578-y

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