title: AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE proteins: hubs in a plethora of networks.
abstract: Members of the AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE (AIL) family of APETALA 2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) domain transcription factors are expressed in all dividing tissues in the plant, where they have central roles in developmental processes such as embryogenesis, stem cell niche specification, meristem maintenance, organ positioning, and growth. When overexpressed, AIL proteins induce adventitious growth, including somatic embryogenesis and ectopic organ formation. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome contains eight AIL genes, including AINTEGUMENTA, BABY BOOM, and the PLETHORA genes. Studies on these transcription factors have revealed their intricate relationship with auxin as well as their involvement in an increasing number of gene regulatory networks, in which extensive crosstalk and feedback loops have a major role.
authors.affiliation: Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anneke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horstman
authors.affiliation: Plant Developmental Biology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Willemsen
authors.affiliation: Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boutilier
authors.affiliation: Plant Developmental Biology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: renze.heidstra@wur.nl.
authors.forename: Renze
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heidstra
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000378:metabolism; D018519:Meristem / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE; development; embryogenesis; meristem maintenance