The research progress of WOX transcription factor family

The WOX transcription factor family is unique to plant, which contains a short stretch of amino acids (65 residues) that folds into a DNAbinding homeodomain. The phylogenetic tree of the plant WOX proteins can be categorized into three clades, including WUS, intermediate and ancient clade. The ancient clade represents the oldest clade which suggests the WOX family may originate from green algae. The analysis of WOX gene expression and function shows that WOX family plays important roles in plant development, such as embryonic patterning, stemcell maintenance and lateral organ development. These functions are related to the promotion of cell division activity and/or prevention of premature cell differentiation. The present paper reviews the recent progresses of the WOX family, which would be beneficial for future studies about plant development and stress response. Moreover, the function of WOX protein in regulating plant leaf morphogenesis can be implicated for crop's biomass improving breeding.