Molecular Control of Ovule Development

胚珠发育的分子控制本奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。世界人口消耗的卡路里中，种子至少占70%。胚珠是发育成种子的植物结构。一种结合遗传和分子的方法被用来确定负责调节胚珠发育的机制。计划工作的一部分将集中于两个基因，INNER NO OUTER （INO）和ABERRANT TESTA SHAPE (ATS)，这两个基因已被证明编码对胚珠珠被（分化形成种皮的鞘结构）形成至关重要的转录因子。与INO和ATS蛋白相互作用的蛋白将通过酵母蛋白相互作用筛选来鉴定。这些相互作用的性质和生物学作用将通过进一步的相互作用研究和相应基因功能丧失的影响分析来评估。受INO转录因子调控的基因将通过研究基因组中与INO相互作用的特定序列来确定。转录谱分析已经确定了在胚珠发育过程中表达的其他基因，这些基因将在遗传学上评估在这一过程中的作用。这项工作将使人们更好地了解控制人类营养这一关键组成部分早期发育的因素，并为潜在的操纵种子和果实形成提供工具。学生和博士后研究人员将学习最新的基因分析方法，使他们能够加入教育或工业的劳动力队伍。现有的校园项目将被用来帮助招募研究项目中代表性不足的群体的成员。

Charles S. GasserProposal # IOS-0920618Molecular Control of Ovule DevelopmentThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Seeds comprise at least 70% of the calories consumed by the world's human population. Ovules are the plant structures that develop into seeds. A combined genetic and molecular approach is being used to define the mechanisms responsible for regulating ovule development. One part of the proposed work will focus on two genes, INNER NO OUTER (INO) and ABERRANT TESTA SHAPE (ATS), that have been shown to encode transcription factors critical for formation of the ovule integuments (sheathing structures that differentiate to form the seed coat). Proteins that interact with the INO and ATS proteins will be identified through a protein interaction screen in yeast. The nature and biological roles of these interactions will be evaluated thorough further interaction studies and analysis of the effects of loss of function of the corresponding genes. Genes regulated by the INO transcription factor will be identified through studies on the specific sequences within the genome with which INO interacts. Transcription profiling has identified other genes expressed during ovule development and these will be evaluated genetically for roles in this process. The work will provide a better understanding of the factors controlling early development of this critical component of human nutrition and provide tools for potential manipulation of seed and fruit formation. Students and postdoctoral researchers will be instructed in the latest methods of genetic analysis enabling them to join the workforce in education or industry. Existing campus programs will be utilized to aid in recruiting members of underrepresented groups in the research program.