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，即带有小花的短枝，小花产生谷粒或谷物，从而产生养活世界的大部分卡路里。玉米和密切相关的禾本科植物成对产生小穗，与其他关系较远的谷物（如水稻、小麦和大麦）单独产生小穗相比，其产生的籽粒数量增加了一倍。了解配对小穗形成的分子和发育基础具有重要的实际意义，因为这些信息可用于使产生单小穗的谷物产量翻倍。合作比较基因组研究也提供了前所未有的机会来了解这种衍生性状进化的分子基础。玉米中无柄小穗 (sos) 基因座抑制子的鉴定为理解配对小穗的形成提供了突破。将使用分子、细胞和发育方法来剖析 Sos1 的功能。 Sos2 和 Sos3 的其他分子和发育研究将能够鉴定调节配对小穗形成的其他基因。成对的小穗由称为小穗对分生组织的分生组织产生。 分生组织通过平衡维持功能和决定性功能不断地产生器官。 Sos 位点将能够剖析这两个基本发育过程之间的相互作用，并提供对草花序结构进化的洞察。这项研究涉及玉米发育遗传学家和草进化专家之间的合作，因此本质上是跨学科的。一名研究生和至少六名本科生将在麦克斯蒂恩实验室接受培训。将开发一个夏季研讨会系列，为本科生提供培训，让他们了解进化论研究对科学、教育和社会的更广泛影响。首席研究员还将就玉米驯化向公众发表演讲。

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.