Collaborative Research: Assigning Functions to the Arabidopsis LBD-family (CRAFTAL)

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This collaborative research proposal, submitted together with an NSF2010 proposal by Dr. P. Springer from the University of California at Riverside, USA, aims to determine the function of a family of genes that encode a novel, plant-specific protein domain,vthe LOB domain. The LOB domain, consisting of approximately 100 amino acids, does not contain any recognizable sequence motifs. In Arabidopsis, a total of 43 LBD genes encode proteins carrying a LOB domain. The only LBD gene with a defined genetic function, ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), regulates adaxial-abaxial polarity in lateral organs and is required for repression of KNOX-type homeodomain transcription factors. We will initiate the functional characterization of all 43 LBD genes in Arabidopsis by determining their mRNA expression patterns. We will then construct transgenic plants that permit to alter the expression levels or domains of LBD genes, and analyse the resulting phenotypes. We will identify the interaction partners of selected LBD-proteins and screen for target genes regulated by LBD activity. Results from these complementary approaches will allow to assign a function to the LOBdomain in its gene-specific context. Information about LBD genes will be maintained at the following web site: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~pspringe