Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2013, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (1): 107-116.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1259.2013.00107

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Research Advances in Plant SPL Transcription Factors

Ming Li1, Changsheng Li1, Chuanzhi Zhao1, Aiqin Li1, Xingjun Wang1,2*   

  1. 1Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Ecology and Physiology, High-tech Research Center, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ji’nan 250100, China;

    2College of Agriculture, Shandong University, Ji’nan 250100, China
  • Received:2012-05-23 Revised:2012-08-22 Online:2013-01-01 Published:2012-11-01
  • Contact: Xingjun Wang

Abstract: SPL (SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like) transcription factors, which are unique to plants, are involved in embryonic development, plastochron length, leaf development, developmental phase transitions, flower and fruit development, fertility, apical dominance, anthocyanin biosynthesis, gibberellin response, light signaling and copper homeostasis. SPLs contain a highly conserved SBP domain of approximately 80 amino acid residues. They can bind to the conserved promoter motifs of downstream targets through SBP domain and regulate the expression of their targets. Most members of the SPL family are predicted to be microRNA 156/157 (miR156/157) targets based on the complementation between the microRNA and these SPL genes. MiR156/157 could down regulate SPL expression by mRNA cleavage or translational repression. This paper reviews recent developments in the structure, transcriptional regulation, and biological function of SPL genes.