Identification and characterization of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes family in Passiflora organensis

Abstract

In model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, changes in floral morphology, as well as in plant architecture, depend on the behavior of the stem meristem (vegetative, inflorescence and floral), whose control is directly related to the expression of the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene belonging to the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene group. The sequencing of Passiflora organensis genome will allow the identification and analysis of key genes expression in the development of this genus plants. The present work intends to identify and characterize the members of the WOX gene family in Passiflora, with a focus on investigating the role of the WUS gene in P. organensis by analyzing the gene expression by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization.