GURKE (GK) gene encodes:
GURKE, synonymous with PASTICCINO3 and EMB22, encodes ACC1 cytosolic homomeric acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzing ATP-dependent carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA precursor for very-long-chain fatty acids, sphingolipids, cuticular waxes, and seed triacylglycerols. VLCFA-derived lipid signals modulate cytokinin and auxin homeostasis in globular embryo apex. gurke mutants fail to partition apical dome into three subdomains: two cotyledon anlagen, central WUS-expressing shoot organizing center, and CUC-expressing boundary regions. Seedlings display fused cotyledons and disrupted meristems, directly linking lipid metabolism to developmental fate patterning and meristem organization.
Ref: Baud et al., Plant J 2004; Kajiwara et al., Plant Cell Physiol 2004: GURKE encodes acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC1 for embryo partitioning.