New York University

Hidehiro Fukaki

Philip N Benfey

Yrjo Helariutta

Keiji Nakajima

The structure and function of a regulatory gene, SHORT-ROOT (SHR), is described. The SHR gene is expressed specifically in root progenitor tissues of embryos, and in roots and stems of seedlings and plants. SHR expression controls cell division of certain cell types in roots and affects the organization of root and stem tissues, and affects gravitropism of aerial structures. The invention relates to the SHR gene, SHR-like genes, SHR gene products, (including but not limited to transcriptional products such as mRNAs, antisense, and ribozyme molecules, and translational products such the SHR protein, polypeptides, peptides and fusion proteins related thereto), antibodies to SHR gene products, SHR promoters and regulatory regions and the use of the foregoing to improve agronomically valuable plants.

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Nara, Japan

Hidehiro Fukaki