Peculiarities of meristem-specific WOX5 gene expression during nodule organogenesis in legumes

In recent years, the role of WOX genes encoding homeodomain transcription factors in the development of the apical meristem of shoots and roots has been actively investigated. However, the role of WOX genes in the control of the cell proliferation in other meristem types is poorly studied. In our work, we have studied the role of the WOX5 gene in the development of the meristem in nitrogen-fixing nodules developing on the roots of legumes in a symbiosis with rhizobia. We have shown that the WOX5 gene is involved in the development of the nodule meristem in legumes, have quantitatively evaluated the gene’s expression at different nodule formation stages, and have studied the localization of its expression using a construct containing the WOX5 promoter fused with a reporter gene. The role of the WOX5 transcription factor in the nodule organogenesis and its possible interaction with the hormonal system in the course of the nodule development has been discussed.