Chimeric repressor analysis identifies MYB87 as a possible regulator of morphogenesis via cell wall organization and remodeling in Arabidopsis

Plant growth and development require proper cell wall organization but little is known about the transcription factors responsible for the regulation of gene expression involved in cell wall organization. Here we show, using Arabidopsis thaliana, that constitutive expression of the chimeric repressor for the MYB87 transcription factor causes suppression of longitudinal elongation, aberrant radial growth, and radially expanded or swollen cells in multiple organs. Microarray analysis revealed that plants expressing the chimeric repressor have altered expression of various cell wall related genes. MYB87 may therefore function as a regulator of genes affecting cell wall organization and remodeling. These findings improve our understanding of cell wall regulation and its roles in plant growth and development and also contribute information that may allow engineering of plant growth and architecture.