Cause and Consequences of Maize Neocentromere Activity

玉米新着丝粒活性的原因和后果

• 批准号: 0951091
• 负责人: R Kelly Dawe
• 金额: $ 53.99万
• 依托单位: University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-03-15 至 2015-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0951091&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Cause; Consequences; Maize; Neocentromere; Activity

Intellectual Merit:Chromosomes, the packaging units for genetic information, cannot be transmitted from generation to generation unless they interact with microtubule-based spindles. Normally, the centromere (constricted region of a chromosome) binds to the spindles. This allows the spindles to pull pairs of chromosomes apart, so that one copy of each chromosome ends up in the new, daughter cell during meiosis. This project will investigate neocentromeres, which are specialized chromosomal regions that can be used to study how chromosomes interact with spindles. In maize, neocentromeres can dramatically change genetic inheritance. One aim of this work will focus on the maize abnormal chromosome 10 that regulates natural neocentromere activity. Genes that regulate neocentromeres will be identified using a combination of modern sequencing methods. The second aim will focus on long arrays of binding sites that have been added to different positions on chromosomes arms. Known microtubule-based motor proteins (known as kinesins) will be tethered to the binding sites, causing the arrays to interact with microtubules. This novel system will make it possible to better understand how neocentromeres alter genetic inheritance. Both approaches address fundamental questions in genetics and will facilitate the development of new methods for improving crops by transgenic methods.Broader Impacts:Maize is a classic American crop that naturally appeals to students of all ages. To broaden the impact of the research, the project includes travel and student training at a small university [Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC)] that serves a rural farming community. Activities will include summer training for Professor Evelyn Hiatt and three undergraduates over a three-year period. Visiting undergraduate students will receive in-lab training and field experience, as well as exposure to a research setting in a major research university. The tools and methodologies used during the project will serve as a basis to improve coursework and training at KWC.

智力优势：染色体是遗传信息的包装单位，除非它们与基于微管的纺锤体相互作用，否则不能代代相传。正常情况下，着丝粒(染色体的狭窄区域)与纺锤体结合。这使得纺锤体可以将成对的染色体分开，这样在减数分裂过程中，每个染色体的一个副本最终会进入新的子细胞。这个项目将研究新着丝粒，这是一种特殊的染色体区域，可以用来研究染色体与纺锤体的相互作用。在玉米中，新着丝粒可以显著改变遗传遗传。这项工作的一个目标是将重点放在调节自然新着丝粒活动的玉米异常10号染色体上。调控新着丝粒的基因将使用现代测序方法的组合进行识别。第二个目标将聚焦于在染色体臂上的不同位置添加的结合位点的长阵列。已知的基于微管的马达蛋白(称为动蛋白)将被连接到结合位置，导致阵列与微管相互作用。这一新的系统将使人们有可能更好地理解新着丝粒如何改变遗传。这两种方法都解决了遗传学中的基本问题，并将促进通过转基因方法改良作物的新方法的开发。广泛的影响：玉米是一种经典的美国作物，自然对所有年龄段的学生都有吸引力。为了扩大研究的影响，该项目包括在一所服务于农村农业社区的小型大学[肯塔基州卫斯理学院(KWC)]进行旅行和学生培训。活动将包括为伊夫林·希亚特教授和三名本科生提供为期三年的暑期培训。来访的本科生将接受实验室培训和实地经验，以及接触到主要研究型大学的研究环境。项目期间使用的工具和方法将作为改进KWC课程和培训的基础。