The structure and function of a regulatory gene, SCARECROW (SCR), is
described. The SCR gene is expressed specifically in root progenitor
tissues of embryos, and in roots and stems of seedlings and plants. SCR
expression controls cell division of certain cell types in roots and
affects the organization of root and stem tissues, and affects
gravitropism of aerial structures. The invention relates to the SCR gene,
SCR-like genes, SCR gene products, (including but not limited to
transcriptional products such as mRNAs, antisense, and ribozyme molecules,
and translational products such the SCR protein, polypeptides, peptides
and fusion proteins related thereto), antibodies to SCR gene products, SCR
promoters and regulatory regions and the use of the foregoing to improve
agronomically valuable plants.
