LEAFY COTYLEDONs ( LECs ): master regulators in plant embryo development

In plants, somatic embryo development is regulated by a complex group or network of transcription factors (TFs). The LEAFY COTYLEDON (LEC) TFs are significant key regulators that promote the initiation of somatic embryo formation and biological processes of the embryo maturation phase. The LEC gene has been implicated to act as unique regulators in plant embryogenesis, growth and development via diverse signaling pathways. In the present review, we summarize the current advances in our understanding of the LEC TFs in plant biology including embryogenesis. Recent discoveries would be advantageous to unlock the mysteries of LEC TF genes of different molecular mechanisms in plant cells.