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

所有的草都长出小穗，短枝上长着小花，小穗长出谷粒或谷物，从而为世界提供大量的热量。玉米及其近亲禾本科植物产生成对的小穗，与其他亲缘关系较远的谷物，如水稻、小麦和大麦，产生单个小穗相比，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，对于提高单粒小穗的产量具有重要的现实意义。合作比较基因组研究也提供了一个前所未有的机会来了解这一衍生性状进化的分子基础。玉米无梗小穗抑制基因位点的鉴定为理解成对小穗的形成提供了突破口。分子，细胞和发育的方法将被用来解剖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调节成对小穗形成的其他基因。成对的小穗是由一个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基因座将有助于解剖这两个基本发育过程之间的相互作用，并为草花序结构的进化提供洞见。这项研究涉及玉米发育遗传学家和草类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McSteen实验室接受培训。暑期系列研讨会将为本科生提供培训，帮助他们理解进化研究在科学、教育和社会中的广泛含义。PI还将就玉米的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.