Arabidopsis 2010: Regulatory Networks Controlling Female Gametophyte Development

拟南芥 2010：控制雌配子体发育的监管网络

• 批准号: 0520008
• 负责人: Ramin Yadegari
• 金额: $ 207.73万
• 依托单位: University of Arizona
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-09-01 至 2011-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0520008&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Arabidopsis; 2010; Regulatory; Networks; Controlling

The proposed research will determine functions for genes expressed in the Arabidopsis female gametophyte (FG, embryo sac) with the long-term goal of identifying the gene regulatory networks controlling FG cell specification and differentiation. The FG is an integral part of the plant life cycle and plays critical roles in essentially every step of the angiosperm reproductive process including pollen tube guidance, fertilization, activation of seed development, and maternal control of seed development. Using mRNA-based assays, the proposed research will identify a battery of genes including members of transcription factor gene families expressed in each of the FG cells of Arabidopsis. FG cell-specific patterns of gene expression will be further characterized using promoter:reporter lines. To determine whether any of these genes have functions in FG cell specification or differentiation, corresponding T-DNA mutant lines will be analyzed for defects in FG development and function. To establish the positions of FG transcription-factor genes relative to one another in the gene regulatory circuitry of the FG, altered patterns of promoter:reporter expression will be assayed in the presence of various FG mutations. Finally, to elucidate the gene-regulatory networks operating in these cells, a combination of biochemical, genetic, and molecular biology approaches will be used to establish direct connections between selected transcription-factor genes expressed in specific cells of the FG and their targets. Data from these experiments including the identity of confirmed genes expressed in the FG and all corresponding patterns of expression will be shared with the community at fgproject.biosci.arizona.edu or www.femalegametophyte.org . Research activities will be coordinated through interaction with research groups in the US and abroad with interests in FG development and other aspects of the project. The significance of the proposed work in relation to the overall 2010 Project objectives in determining gene functions is twofold. First, the proposed studies will identify gene expression patterns and any corresponding functions required for plant reproduction. Second, identification of gene-regulatory networks of the FG will contribute to the goal of understanding how gene circuitries control plant processes. Ultimately, results from these studies will be critical for designing strategies to modify reproductive processes in plants for improved seed yield and quality. The broader educational impacts of this project will enhance the infrastructure of research and training at the Universities of Utah and Arizona through the continued instruction of undergraduate and graduate students, and training of postdoctoral researchers. An important goal of the project is to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in science and to communicate science through outreach to K-12 teachers and to nonscientists. Graduate and undergraduate researchers will be recruited from the local community colleges and/or underrepresented student populations at the Universities of Utah and Arizona.Project Websites: http://fgproject.biosci.arizona.edu/ or http//www.femalegametophyte.org

拟议的研究将确定功能的基因表达的拟南芥雌配子体（FG，胚囊）的长期目标是确定控制FG细胞的规格和分化的基因调控网络。FG是植物生命周期的一个组成部分，在被子植物生殖过程的每一个步骤中都起着关键作用，包括花粉管引导、受精、种子发育的激活和种子发育的母体控制。使用基于mRNA的检测，拟议的研究将确定一组基因，包括在拟南芥的每个FG细胞中表达的转录因子基因家族的成员。FG细胞特异性的基因表达模式将使用启动子：报告细胞系进一步表征。为了确定这些基因中的任何一个是否在FG细胞特化或分化中具有功能，将分析相应的T-DNA突变系在FG发育和功能中的缺陷。为了确定FG转录因子基因在FG基因调控回路中的相对位置，将在存在各种FG突变的情况下测定启动子：报告基因表达的改变模式。最后，为了阐明在这些细胞中运行的基因调控网络，将使用生物化学，遗传学和分子生物学方法的组合来建立在FG的特定细胞中表达的选定转录因子基因与其靶点之间的直接联系。来自这些实验的数据，包括FG中表达的确认基因的身份和所有相应的表达模式，将在fgproject.biosci.arizona.edu或www.femalegametophyte.org上与社区共享。研究活动将通过与美国和国外对FG开发和项目其他方面感兴趣的研究小组的互动进行协调。拟议的工作对于确定基因功能的2010年项目总体目标的意义是双重的。首先，拟议的研究将确定基因表达模式和植物繁殖所需的任何相应功能。其次，确定基因调控网络的FG将有助于了解基因电路如何控制植物过程的目标。最终，这些研究的结果将是至关重要的设计策略，以修改植物的繁殖过程，提高种子产量和质量。该项目更广泛的教育影响将通过继续指导本科生和研究生以及培训博士后研究人员，加强犹他州和亚利桑那州大学的研究和培训基础设施。该项目的一个重要目标是增加在科学领域代表性不足的少数群体的代表性，并通过与K-12教师和非科学家的外联来传播科学。研究生和本科生研究人员将从当地社区学院和/或犹他州和亚利桑那州大学的学生群体中招募。http://fgproject.biosci.arizona.edu/