Collaborative Research: The Role of Suppressor of Sessile Spikelet1 (sos1) in Meristem Maintenance and Determinacy

所有的草都会产生小穗，也就是带有小花的短枝条，这些小花会产生籽粒或谷物，从而产生养活世界的大量卡路里。玉米和关系密切的草成对产生小穗，与其他更远缘关系的谷物，如水稻、小麦和大麦单独产生小穗相比，玉米产生的籽粒数量增加了一倍。了解成对小穗形成的分子和发育基础具有重要的实际意义，因为这些信息可以用来使产生单小穗的谷类作物产量加倍。合作的比较基因组研究也提供了一个前所未有的机会来理解这种衍生特征的进化的分子基础。玉米无梗小穗抑制子(SOS)基因的发现为理解成对小穗的形成提供了突破口。将使用分子、细胞和发育方法来剖析Sos1的功能。对Sos2和Sos3的进一步分子和发育研究将有助于鉴定更多调控成对小穗形成的基因。成对的小穗是由一种叫做小穗对分生组织的分生组织产生的。分生组织通过平衡维持和决定的功能不断地产生器官。SOS基因座将使我们能够剖析这两个基本发育过程之间的相互作用，并提供对禾本科花序结构进化的洞察。这项研究涉及玉米发育遗传学家和禾本科进化专家之间的合作，因此具有跨学科的性质。一名研究生和至少六名本科生将在麦克斯汀实验室接受培训。将开发一系列暑期研讨会，为本科生提供培训，以了解进化论研究在科学、教育和社会中的更广泛影响。公安部还将就玉米驯化向公众发表讲话。

All grasses produce spikelets, short branches bearing the florets, which produce the kernels or grain, and therefore much of the calories that feed the world. Maize, and closely related grasses, produce spikelets in pairs, doubling the number of kernels produced in contrast to other, more distantly related cereals, such as rice, wheat and barley, which produce spikelets singly. Understanding the molecular and developmental basis for paired spikelet formation is of great practical significance as this information could be used to double yield in cereals that produce single spikelets. Collaborative comparative genomic studies also provide an unprecedented opportunity to understand the molecular basis for the evolution of this derived trait. The identification of the suppressor of sessile spikelet (sos) loci in maize provides a breakthrough into the understanding of the formation of the paired spikelet. Molecular, cellular and developmental approaches will be used to dissect the function of Sos1. Additional molecular and developmental studies of Sos2 and Sos3 will enable the identification of additional genes regulating paired spikelet formation. The paired spikelet is produced by a meristem called the spikelet pair meristem. Meristems continually produce organs through balancing the functions of maintenance and determinacy. The Sos loci will enable the dissection of the interaction between these two fundamental developmental processes, as well as providing insight into the evolution of grass inflorescence architecture.This research involves collaboration between a maize developmental geneticist and an expert in the evolution of grasses, and hence is interdisciplinary in nature. One graduate student and at least six undergraduate students will be trained in the McSteen laboratory. A summer seminar series will be developed to provide training for undergraduates in understanding the broader implications of evolutionary studies in science, education, and society. The PI will also speak to the public on the domestication of corn.