Genes involved in leaf development of Jatropha curcas

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a plant from the Euphorbiaceae family whose seeds have a high oil content, which represents an alternative energy source. In addition, it is fast growing and adapts to various environmental conditions. Because the leaf is the organ responsible for vital functions that will determine the life and productivity of the plant, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in leaf development will allow the development of appropriate methods to optimize its production and improve its resistance in different environmental conditions. Next, molecular aspects involved in the development of J. curcas leaves are addressed. The formation of leaf primordia begins on the sides of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), subsequently the abaxial-adaxial, proximal-distal, medio-lateral axes and finally intercalary growth are established. This review focuses on the initial processes of leaf formation. Among the genes involved in these processes described for J. curcas are WUS, CLV1, CLV3, ARF and KNOXI (STM, KNAT1/2/6), KNOXI (STM, KNAT1/2/6), AS1/2, CUC, BOP, LOB, PIN1, miR164 and GA20OX, YAB (YAB1/2/3/5, CRC), HDZIPIII (PHB, REV, ATHB8, ATHB15), ZPR, SDN, miR166, AGO1/7/10 and SDN3/5, which are addressed at different level.