Overexpression of ARBORKNOX1 delays the differentiation of induced somatic sector analysis (ISSA) derived xylem fibre cells in poplar stems

Abstract

ARBORKNOX1 (ARK1), a poplar functional homolog of the Arabidopsis Class-I KNOTTED- like homeobox (KNOXI) transcription factor SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM), has been shown to have a role in maintaining meristematic cells in an undifferentiated state. Studies in which this gene was ectopically overexpressed identified a delay in the differentiation of cambial derivatives. Overexpression of ARK1 in poplar stem sectors, using the induced somatic sector analysis (ISSA) experimental system, was undertaken to further investigate its role in the differentiation of xylem fibre cells. ISSA involves the in vivo transformation of a small number of cambial cells in the stem with a gene of interest giving ris..