Isolation of dominant Arabidopsis mutants defective in VND7-induced xylem vessel cell differentiation.

The plant-specific NAC transcription factor VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN 7 (VND7) functions in xylem vessel cell differentiation in . To identify novel factors regulating xylem vessel cell differentiation, we previously performed ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis of a transgenic line in which VND7 activity can be induced post-translationally by glucocorticoid treatment. We successfully isolated mutants that fail to form ectopic xylem vessel cells named () mutants.

Patterned Deposition of Xylan and Lignin is Independent from that of the Secondary Wall Cellulose of Arabidopsis Xylem Vessels.

The secondary cell wall (SCW) of xylem vessel cells provides rigidity and strength that enables efficient water conduction throughout the plant. To gain insight into SCW deposition, we mutagenized VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN7-inducible plant lines, in which ectopic protoxylem vessel cell differentiation is synchronously induced. The mutant was isolated based on the absence of helical SCW patterns in ectopically-induced protoxylem vessel cells, and mature baculites plants exhibited an () mutant phenotype in mature plants.