At2g17950: WUS (WUSCHEL)

Homeobox gene controlling the stem cell pool. Expressed in the stem cell organizing center of meristems. Required to keep the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Regulation of WUS transcription is a central checkpoint in stem cell control. The size of the WUS expression domain controls the size of the stem cell population through WUS indirectly activating the expression of CLAVATA3 (CLV3) in the stem cells and CLV3 repressing WUS transcription through the CLV1 receptor kinase signaling pathway. Repression of WUS transcription through AGAMOUS (AG) activity controls stem cell activity in the determinate floral meristem. Binds to TAAT element core motif.