MAP kinase signaling in the Arabidopsis embryo

维管束植物有两个根本不同的生长轴，根和芽，它们首先在早期胚胎中通过精确协调的细胞命运决定而建立。虽然这种模式形成过程背后的机制总体上仍然知之甚少，但以前的工作已经清楚地确定了Yoda(YDA)细胞信号通路的关键作用。YDA途径包含有丝分裂原激活蛋白(MAP)激酶模块，在受精时被激活，并促进受精卵分裂为大的基生和小的顶端子体。这种不对称的第一次分裂定义了极性，并为随后用根和茎极展开主轴奠定了基础。在这个项目中，我们将使用一套不同的方法分析受精卵和早期胚胎中YDA信号的分子机制，包括经典遗传学、比较系统发育学、分子生物学、基因组学、显微镜和生物化学。特别关注在受精过程中调节核心MAPK模块的因素，以及以该途径为靶点的基因表达程序，并执行极性的建立。预期的结果将为我们理解植物的基本身体计划是如何制定的做出开创性的贡献，并可能为在培养中启动体细胞胚胎的有针对性的方法提供指导。该项目将导致培养植物遗传学、分子生物学、基因组学和高级显微镜方面的博士后助理和研究生。高中教师、高中生和本科生的参与是研究计划不可或缺的一部分；招聘将通过佐治亚州实习生教师奖学金计划(GIFT)、赋权青年计划(EPY)、大学暑期本科生研究计划(SURP)和NSF赞助的桃州路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟(PSLSAMP)进行。

Vascular plants have two fundamentally different axes of growth, roots and shoots, which first become established through precisely orchestrated cell fate decisions in the early embryo. While the mechanisms underlying this patterning process remain poorly understood overall, previous work has clearly identified a key role for the YODA (YDA) cellular signaling pathway. The YDA pathway, which contains a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase module, becomes activated upon fertilization and promotes division of the zygote into a large basal and a small apical daughter. This asymmetric first division defines polarity and sets the stage for subsequent elaboration of the main axis with root and shoot poles. In this project, the molecular mechanisms of YDA signaling in the zygote and early embryo will be analyzed using a diverse set of methodologies, including classical genetics, comparative phylogeny, molecular biology, genomics, microscopy, and biochemistry. Particular attention is dedicated to factors regulating the core MAP kinase module in the context of fertilization, as well as the gene expression programs targeted by the pathway and executing the establishment of polarity. The expected results will make pioneering contributions to our understanding of how the basic body plan of plants is laid out and may inform targeted approaches for initiating embryos from somatic cells in culture.The project will lead to training of a post doctoral associate and a graduate student in plant genetics, molecular biology, genomics, and advanced microscopy. Participation of a high school teacher, high school students, and undergraduate students is an integral part of the research plan; recruitment will be through the Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program, the Empowered Youth Program (EPY), the University's Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), and the NSF-sponsored Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (PSLSAMP).