Role of the trxG Factor ULTRAPETALA1 in Regulating Arabidopsis Stem Cell Activity and Organ Patterning

与动物一样，植物也含有对它们的生长和发育至关重要的干细胞。 植物干细胞存在于发育中的芽和花的顶端，位于称为分生组织的区域，在那里它们为新器官（如叶子和果实）的形成提供细胞。 我们的主要研究目标是了解控制花干细胞活性的分子机制，并将发育中的果实塑造成适当的形状。 该项目继续研究来自模式植物拟南芥的ULTRAPETALA 1（ULT 1）基因，该基因控制茎和花产生的干细胞数量。 我们之前已经发现，ULT 1通过与其他蛋白质共同作用来调节其靶基因的DNA如何被包装到细胞核中来执行这一功能。 这项工作将利用遗传、分子和生物化学方法来发现在花和果实发育过程中与ULT 1起作用的基因和蛋白质网络。 该研究的预期结果是：（1）鉴定所有由ULT 1蛋白直接控制的拟南芥基因，（2）发现ULT 1蛋白复合物的其他成员，以及（3）更完整地了解组织水果图案的基因途径。我们的研究将为植物如何能够不断形成和塑造新器官提供新的见解，并将转化为优化观赏植物和作物结构的策略。 该项目的重要组成部分是在实验室环境中整合研究和教育，以及K-12推广。 来自传统上在科学领域代表性不足的群体的加州大学伯克利分校本科生以及当地社区大学的学生将协助该项目，并获得宝贵的实践机会。 此外，我们还将与美国农业部教育园项目合作，为当地小学生开发一个教学模块，教育他们了解重要食用植物的特性和生命周期。

Like animals, plants contain stem cells that are critical for their growth and development. Plant stem cells are found at the tips of developing shoots and flowers in regions called meristems, where they provide cells for the formation of new organs such as leaves and fruits. Our main research objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms that control flower stem cell activity and pattern the developing fruit into its proper shape. This project continues studies of the ULTRAPETALA1 (ULT1) gene from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana that controls the number of stem cells made by shoots and flowers. We have previously found that ULT1 performs this function by acting together with other proteins to regulate how the DNA of its target genes gets packaged into the cell nucleus. This work will utilize genetic, molecular and biochemical methods to discover the network of genes and proteins that function with ULT1 during flower and fruit development. The expected results of the research are (1) the identification of all Arabidopsis genes that are directly controlled by the ULT1 protein, (2) the discovery of other members of the ULT1 protein complex, and (3) a more complete understanding of gene pathways that organize fruit patterning. Our studies will provide new insights into how plants are able to continuously form and pattern new organs, and will translate into strategies for optimizing the architecture of both ornamental and crop plants. Important elements of this project are integrating research and education in a laboratory setting, and K-12 outreach. UC Berkeley undergraduates from groups traditionally under-represented in science as well as local community college students will assist on the project and obtain valuable hands-on exposure to scientific research. In addition, we will associate with the on-site USDA Educational Garden program to develop a teaching module for local elementary school students that will educate them about the characteristics and life cycles of important food plants.