Genetic Analysis of the Photoperodic Induction of Flowering in Arabidopsis

这项研究的长期目标是了解响应日长变化而调节开花起始的分子机制。作为实现这一目标的第一步，将研究控制拟南芥花序起始和发育的光周期敏感遗传途径。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组成部分，以及花序和花分生组织特性的调节剂。我们将：1；明确ELF3基因在基因表达和发育过程的昼夜节律调节中的作用。2. 分离出一个ELF 3的分子克隆，完成该基因的基本表征。3. 确定拟南芥中调控花起始和花分生组织特性的ELF3基因功能相关的遗传途径。这项研究的目的是验证这样一种假设，即ELF 3基因产物通过将生物钟与控制花起始和花分生组织发育的遗传途径“联系”起来，在调节光周期过程中起着关键作用。对该基因进行克隆和鉴定，并对其产物的功能进行研究。这些目标的完成将为昼夜节律反应的遗传调控和开花的光周期诱导提供有价值的信息。研究结果将增强我们的基本知识，并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. ***