Spontaneous mutation affecting quantitative traits in Arabidopsis thaliana

9981891Shaw这项研究将表征影响拟南芥（一种芥菜家族的一年生植物）性状的自发突变。 主要目标是确定突变率，描述突变效应的分布，并评估自发突变的遗传作用模式。 这些研究将采用117个突变积累系，它们都来自一个高度近交的祖先，作为遗传基线。 该品系已推广25代。 将使用代表株系进展数代的各株系的植物进行大规模测定。 将获得每个个体的植物大小、发育时间和繁殖的测量值。 一些试验的设计改变了环境条件，以便可以评估突变效应的环境敏感性。 还将进行品系之间的正式遗传杂交，以确定突变的遗传显性程度。 新开发的统计方法来推断突变特性将适用于这些数据。 自发突变被广泛认为是一种在进化中具有根本重要性的遗传过程，但有关自发突变的定量信息非常有限。 这项研究的结果将为预测提供信息，例如，生态专业化的演变，交配系统的演变和灭绝率。

9981891ShawThis research will characterize spontaneous mutations affecting traits of Arabidopsis thaliana, an annual plant of the mustard family. The primary goals are to determine the mutation rate, to describe the distribution of mutational effects, and to assess genetic modes of action for spontaneous mutations. These studies will employ 117 mutation-accumulation lines that all derive from a single highly inbred progenitor, which serves as the genetic baseline. The lines have been advanced for 25 generations. Large-scale assays will be conducted using plants representing each line at several generations of line advancement. Measures of plant size, developmental timing, and reproduction will be obtained for each individual. The design of some assays varies environmental conditions so that environmental sensitivity of effects of mutation can be evaluated. Formal genetic crosses between lines will also be conducted to determine the degree of genetic dominance of mutations. Newly developed statistical approaches to inferring mutational properties will be applied to these data. Spontaneous mutation is widely recognized as a genetic process fundamentally important in evolution, yet quantitative information about spontaneous mutation is extremely limited. Results of this research will inform predictions about, for example, evolution of ecological specialization, evolution of mating systems, and rates of extinction.