Arabidopsis 2010: Assigning Functions to the Arabidopsis LBD-Family

2010年国家科学基金项目将研究一个基因家族的功能，该基因家族编码一种新的植物特异性蛋白质结构域，即LOB结构域。在拟南芥中，43个LBD基因编码含有LOB结构域的蛋白质，这是一个保守的结构域，大约有100个氨基酸，不包含任何可识别的序列基序。含有lob结构域的蛋白质在植物外没有发现，使该基因家族成为拟南芥中约150个植物特异性基因家族之一。唯一具有明确遗传功能的LBD基因是不对称LEAVES2 (ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2, AS2)，它调节侧面器官的正轴-逆轴极性，并且是抑制KNOX类转录因子所必需的。其他LBD基因的功能尚不清楚。关于项目状况的资料将保存在一个公共数据库中（http://faculty.ucr.edu/~pspringe）。LBD基因的功能表征将通过确定每个基因的mRNA表达模式，并通过产生具有增加或减少选定家族成员活性的转基因植株来完成。通过本研究产生的克隆和转基因植物将通过拟南芥生物资源中心（ABRC）免费分发。研究成果将在科学会议上发表，并及时在科学期刊上发表。LBD基因编码功能未知的蛋白质，其功能表征符合2010年计划的目标，即确定所有拟南芥基因的功能，特别是那些无法通过同源性预测功能的基因。此外，了解植物特异性基因（如LBD基因）的功能可能会产生关于植物独特过程的重要信息。该项目还与杜塞尔多夫大学建立了国际合作关系。更广泛的影响：该项目的一个重要组成部分是利用LBD基因开发教学资源。麻省大学波士顿分校和加州大学河滨分校的本科生将进行LBD基因的假设驱动研究，并将获得项目数据和突变和转基因植物用于他们的研究。此外，将为波士顿公立学区以及河滨和圣贝纳迪诺公立学区的高中教师举办一个讲习班，重点是将植物分子遗传学纳入高中课程。高中、社区大学和四年制大学的教学模块将使用LBD基因作为说明性模型。

PROJECT ABSTRACTThis NSF 2010 project will examine the function of a family of genes that encodes a novel, plant-specific protein domain, the LOB domain. In Arabidopsis, 43 LBD genes encode proteins that contain a LOB domain, a conserved domain of approximately 100 amino acids that does not contain any recognizable sequence motifs. Proteins containing LOB-domains are not found outside of plants, making this gene family one of about 150 plant-specific gene families in Arabidopsis. The only LBD gene with a defined genetic function, ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), regulates adaxial-abaxial polarity in lateral organs and is required for repression of the KNOX class of transcription factors. The functions of other LBD genes are not known. Information on the status of the project will be maintained at a public database (http://faculty.ucr.edu/~pspringe). Functional characterization of LBD genes will be accomplished by determining the mRNA expression patterns of each gene, and by generating transgenic plants that have increased or decreased activity of select family members. Clones and transgenic plants that are generated as a result of this research will be freely distributed through the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center (ABRC). Research results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in scientific journals in a timely fashion. Functional characterization of LBD genes, which encode proteins of unknown function, fits the goal of the 2010 program to determine the function of all Arabidopsis genes, especially those genes whose function can't be predicted by homology. In addition, understanding the function of plant-specific genes like the LBD genes will likely yield important information about processes that are unique to plants. This project also establishes an international collaboration with the University of Duesseldorf. Broader Impacts: An important component of the project is the development of teaching resources utilizing the LBD genes. Undergraduate students in courses at UMass Boston and UC Riverside will undertake hypothesis-driven research on the LBD genes, and will have access to project data and mutant and transgenic plants for their research. In addition, a workshop focused on incorporation of plant molecular genetics into the high school curriculum will be developed for high school teachers in the Boston public school district and in the Riverside and San Bernardino public school districts. Modules for teaching at the high school, community college, and four-year college will be developed using the LBD genes as illustrative models.