MYB genes and plant development
Plant MYB genes regulate a variety of functions in plants from phenylpropanoid
synthesis to drought tolerance.
Over 100 MYB genes have been found
in Arabidopsis but the function of the majority is unknown. Apart
from our studies on the role of two specific MYB genes in pollen
development, we are working on a number of other Arabidopsis
thaliana MYB genes.
These genes have different functions which include:
- Regulating formation of the seed coat
- Regulating trichome branching
- Controlling the differentiation of anthers
- Activation in root primordia responsible for the formation of lateral roots.
We are examining the roles of these genes in regulatory heirarchies and the genes that they themselves regulate.