Tomato transcriptional repressor SlBES1.8 influences shoot apical meristem development by inhibiting the DNA binding ability of SlWUS

The development of plant shoot apical meristems (SAMs) is accurately controlled by WUSCHEL (WUS), while the co-regulators of WUS still need to be discovered. We identified a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) transcriptional repressor, SlBES1.8, and found that it can interact with WUS and inhibit WUS-DNA binding to enlarge SAM size, which further results in an increase of floral organ numbers and changes in fruit shape. Thus, SlBES1.8 is a novel co-regulator of WUS, contributing to the regulation of SAM development.

Automated summary

The transcriptional repressor SlBES1.8 was identified as a novel co-regulator of WUS in the development of plant shoot apical meristems. It interacts with WUS and inhibits WUS-DNA binding, resulting in an enlargement of SAM size, increased floral organ numbers, and changes in fruit shape.