Structure and evolution of plant homeobox genes

VIOLA IL; GONZÁLEZ DH

Plant Transcription Factors. Evolutionary, Structural and Functional Aspects

Elsevier/Academic Press

Año: 2015; p. 101 - 112

Homeobox genes constitute a large family of eukaryotic genes that encode transcription factors involved in the regulation of developmental processes. The homeobox encodes a highly conserved DNA binding domain, the homeodomain, that folds into a three-helix structure with similarities to helix-turn-helix motifs of prokaryotic transcription factors. Homeodomain proteins are classified in different families and subfamilies according to sequence conservation and the presence of additional motifs besides the homeodomain. Interestingly, although present in most eukaryotic organisms, a majority of plant homeodomain families are unique to plants, suggesting that they have evolved to fulfill specific aspects of plant developmental processes. In this chapter, the structure of homeodomains and the way they establish specific contacts with DNA are described. The distinctive features of plant homeodomains are also discussed, together with an overview of the evolutionary history of these proteins.