Suppression of Arabidopsis Reproductive Actins

说明(申请人提供)：肌动蛋白是植物细胞骨架的主要组成部分，具有基本的细胞功能，包括细胞支架、细胞器和细胞核定位、细胞板定位、花粉管延长、细胞质流动和顶端生长。系统发育分析、肌动蛋白RNA和GUS报告分析表明，拟南芥有8个表达活跃的基因，其中5个是生殖的，3个是营养的，具有强烈的、明显的时空表达模式。生殖肌动蛋白主要存在于成熟的花粉、胚珠和发育中的胚胎中。我们的主要目标是利用最新的RNA干扰(RNAi)技术突变最高表达和最独特的生殖肌动蛋白基因。表型将揭示制约这一肌动蛋白类进化的确切细胞角色。了解这些制约因素将为提高作物产量提供明确的方向。相反，不育表型也将被证明对更安全地应用和实施转基因植物在野外的应用和实施以及防止与自然植物物种杂交具有价值。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Actin is a major component of the plant cytoskeleton with fundamental cellular functions consisting of cellular scaffolding, organellar and nuclear positioning, cell plate localization, pollen tube elongation, cytoplasmic streaming, and tip growth. Phylogenetic analysis, actin RNA and GUS reporter assays indicate that Arabidopsis has eight actively expressed genes, five reproductive and three vegetative, with strong, distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns. The reproductive actins are found predominantly in mature pollen, ovules, and developing embryos. Our main objective is to mutate the most highly expressed and unique reproductive actin genes using the latest RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Phenotypes would reveal the precise cellular roles that constrained the evolution of this actin class. Understanding these constraints will provide clear directions toward improving crop yield. Conversely, sterility phenotypes would also prove worthy for a safer application and implementation of genetically modified plants into the wild and prevention of cross-hybridization with natural plant species.