Prezygotic Interspecific Reproductive Barriers in Nicotiana

项目编号：os -0920114标题：“烟草的前合子种间生殖障碍”该奖项根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。遗传、地理和生态过程可以隔离相关植物，从而导致新物种的进化。生殖隔离是这一过程的一个非常重要的组成部分，它决定了近亲植物作为相同或不同物种（物种形成）的一部分是否有性相容。因此，生殖障碍促进了新物种的进化和维持。本项目采用生物化学方法鉴定相关植物物种间性相容性调节的蛋白质和机制。确定这些机制将有助于更好地理解植物的进化方式和新物种的发展。该项目还可以直接应用于了解种子和果实的生产，这对植物育种和作物改良非常重要。植物育种通常依赖于通过栽培物种和野生物种之间的种间杂交引入新性状，而这种杂交往往由于物种特异性生殖障碍而受阻。尽管生殖障碍对种间基因转移造成了障碍，但对其机制和相关基因知之甚少。这个项目的目标是找出决定亲缘物种间性相容性的蛋白质。这项研究汇集了三位在蛋白质纯化、生殖生物学和遗传学等不同领域具有独特和互补技能的研究人员。该项目将把知识和技术整合到学术课程中，为本科生和研究生创造新的教育机会，并积极让学生参与监督和独立的研究。

PI: Alan G. SmithProposal number: OS-0920114Title: "Prezygotic Interspecific Reproductive Barriers in Nicotiana"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Genetic, geographic and ecological processes can isolate related plants resulting in the evolution of new species. Reproductive isolation is a very important component of this process that determines whether closely related plants are sexually compatible as part of the same or different species (speciation). Therefore, reproductive barriers facilitate the evolution and maintenance of new species. This project takes a biochemical approach to identify the proteins and mechanisms that regulates sexual compatibility among related plant species. Identification of the mechanisms will lead to a better understanding of the way plants evolve and how new species develop. This project also has direct application to understanding the production of seeds and fruits, which is very important for plant breeding and crop improvement. Plant breeding often relies on the introduction of new traits via interspecific hybridization between cultivated species and wild species, which is often prevented due to species-specific reproductive barriers. Despite the impediment that reproductive barriers create for interspecific gene transfer, little is known regarding the mechanisms and responsible gene(s). The goal of this project is to identify the protein(s) that determine sexual compatibility among related species.This study has brought together three researchers with distinct and complementary skills in diverse areas of protein purification, reproductive biology and genetics. The project will integrate knowledge and technologies into academic courses, create new educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and actively involve students in supervised and independent research.