Genetic Analysis of the Photoperodic Induction of Flowering in Arabidopsis

9507218米克斯-瓦格纳这项研究的长期目标是了解调节开花的分子机制，以响应日长的变化。作为实现这一目标的第一步，控制拟南芥花序发生和发育的光周期敏感遗传途径(S)将被研究。一个突变，早花3，(ELF3)已经被分离出来，结果表明它可能是昼夜节律调节的关键成分，以及花序和花分生组织特性的调节。我们将：1.明确ELF3基因在基因表达和发育过程的昼夜调控中的作用。2.分离ELF-3的分子克隆，并完成其基因的基本特征分析。3.确定与ELF3基因功能相关的遗传途径，这些基因调控拟南芥的花起始和花分生组织的特性。%要做的研究旨在验证ELF3基因产物通过将生物时钟(S)与控制花起始和花分生组织发育的遗传途径联系起来，在调节光周期中发挥关键作用的假说。该基因将被克隆和鉴定，并研究其产物的功能。这些目标的完成将为昼夜节律反应的遗传调控和光周期开花诱导提供有价值的信息。结果将增进我们的基本知识，L也将提供可能产生经济影响的信息。***

9507218 Meeks-Wagner The long term goal of this research is to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate the initiation of flowering in response to changes in daylength. As a first step toward reaching this goal, the photoperiod-sensitive genetic pathway(s) controlling inflorescence initiation and development in Arabidopsis thaliana will be investigated. A mutation, Early Flowering 3 , (ELF3) has been isolated and results suggest that it may function as a key component of circadian rhythm regulation, as well as a regulator of inflorescence and floral meristem identity . We will: 1. Define the role of ELF3 gene in the circadian regulation of gene expression and developmental processes. 2. Isolate a molecular clone of ELF 3 and complete the basic characterization of the gene. 3. Define the genetic pathways related to ELF3 gene function that regulate floral initiation and floral meristem identity in Arabidopsis. %%% The research to be done is directed toward testing the hypothesis that the ELF 3 gene product plays a critical role in regulating photoperiodism by "linking" the biological clock (s) to the genetic pathways that control floral initiation and flower meristem development. The gene will be cloned and characterized and the function of its product studied. Completion of these aims should provide valuable information on the genetic regulation of circadian responses and the photoperiodic induction of flowering. The results will enhance our basic knowledge as well l as provide information which could have possible economic ramifications. ***