PAX1 and cyst: Knockdown of mlf gene also led to a decrease in the levels of CWP1, MYB2, WRKY, PAX1, and CDK2 proteins and cwp1-3, myb2, wrky, pax1, and cdk2 gene expression and cyst formation (Figs 3 and 5, and S9 Fig), suggesting a positive role of MLF in inducing cwp1-3, myb2, wrky, pax1 and cdk2 genes and cyst formation (Fig 7A and 7B).