The FUS3 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana is a regulator of gene expression during late embryogenesis

The fus3 mutation of Arabidopsis thaliana affects several aspects of seed development. Mutant seeds are desiccation intolerant, viviparous and accumulate anthocyanins. Two major classes of storage proteins, the 12S cruciferins and the 2S albumins, are nearly absent, storage lipids are reduced and their composition is changed. The transcription of heterologous storage protein gene promoters in a fus3 genetic background is similarly affected. Our data suggest that the FUS3 gene is together with other genes like ABI3 and LEC1 central to the regulation of developmental processes during late embryogenesis.