WOX5 is a member of the Wuschel (WUS) family of homeodomain transcription factors and is required for quiescent center (QC) function and columella stem cell maintenance in the root meristem. It is expressed in the QC and moves to the columella stem cells where it represses their differentiation. WOX5 binds members of the Topless family of transcriptional co-repressors.