Function and Evolution of Grass B Class Floral Homeotic Proteins

草B类花同源蛋白的功能和进化花的器官排列特征在所有开花植物（被子植物）中是一致的。在花发育的早期，一组相关蛋白，被称为MADS-box蛋白，在为每个花轮建立正确的器官身份方面起着关键作用。例如，雄蕊（雄性生殖结构）和花瓣的特性是由两种不同的MADS-box蛋白的组合活性控制的，这两种蛋白被称为B类蛋白。这两种B类蛋白存在于所有被子植物谱系中，研究表明，只有在某些被子植物群体中两者都存在时，它们才会发挥作用，而在另一些被子植物群体中，这两种蛋白似乎在没有伴侣的情况下发挥作用。目前尚不清楚这些蛋白质在没有伴侣的情况下的作用，也不清楚不同的被子植物群体是如何进化到它们的B类蛋白质单独或联合起作用的。本项目将研究草科B类蛋白相互作用的功能和进化，草科B类蛋白必须共同作用。一个草B类蛋白被破坏的突变体将被表征，以了解其在草家族中的功能。B类蛋白将从不同的禾本科成员和密切相关的禾本科中分离出来。然后，这些蛋白质将被分析它们单独或与各自的伴侣一起行动的能力，以了解草进化出对伴侣双方都需要的程度。这些蛋白质序列将被分析，以寻找可能促进这种进化的自然选择的证据。最终，使这些有趣的蛋白质相互作用进化的精确蛋白质修饰将通过这项研究得到阐明。该项目将为一名博士后、研究生和几名本科生提供培训。此外，当地高中生将参与创建一个新的模块，以调查转基因作物技术的伦理影响。

Clinton WhippleIOS-1025121Function and Evolution of Grass B Class Floral Homeotic ProteinsFlowers have a characteristic arrangement of organs that is consistent throughout all of flowering plants (angiosperms). Early in flower development, a group of related proteins, known as MADS-box proteins, plays a key role in establishing the correct organ identity for each whorl. Stamen (male reproductive structures) and petal identities, for example are controlled by the combined activity of two distinct MADS-box proteins, known as the B class proteins. These two B class proteins, which are found in all angiosperm lineages, have been shown to function only when both are present in some groups of angiosperms, while in other groups the proteins appear to function without a partner. It is not clear what these proteins are doing when they act without a partner, nor is it clear how distinct angiosperm groups evolved so that their B class proteins either function alone or in combination. This project will investigate the function and evolution of B class protein interaction in the grass family, which has B class proteins that must act together. A mutant in which a grass B class protein is disrupted will be characterized to understand its function in the grass family. B class proteins will be isolated from diverse grass members and closely related grasses. These proteins will then be assayed for their ability to act alone or with their respective partners in order to understand the point at which grasses evolved the requirement for both partners. The protein sequences will be assayed for evidence of natural selection that may have facilitated this evolution. Ultimately, the precise protein modifications that allowed the evolution of these interesting protein interactions will be elucidated by this research. The project will provide training for a postdoctoral associate, graduate student and several undergraduates. In addition, local high school student will be involved by creation of a novel module to investigate the ethical implications of transgenic crop technologies.