Unveiling the Key Regulator of Plant Regeneration in Arabidopsis
A study conducted by researchers at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan has identified and characterized a key negative regulator, the WOX13 gene, in the process of shoot regeneration in plants. The study found that WOX13 inhibits shoot regeneration by promoting the acquisition of alternative fates for pluripotent callus cells, rather than preventing the shift from callus to shoot apical meristem (SAM). The findings suggest that knocking out WOX13 could enhance shoot regeneration efficiency and have implications for agriculture and horticulture.