Mobile RNAs Mediate Long-Distance Signaling Responses

移动的RNA介导长距离信号传导反应。艾伦米勒综述植物利用信号通路来调节生长。 光在提供植物感知的外部信号方面起着重要作用。 光周期就是这样一个外部信号的例子，它控制着开花和马铃薯块茎形成等过程。在块茎形成过程中，信号在叶子中启动并穿过植物以激活块茎形成。该信号的性质尚不清楚，但可能涉及移动的核糖核酸（RNA）。本申请的目的是研究特定信使RNA（mRNA）的长距离运动与日照长度的关系。初步证据表明，在这一过程中有两种编码转录因子（与基因结合以调节其活性的蛋白质）的mRNA。这些蛋白质通过影响植物激素水平来控制营养生长。本研究的目的是鉴定控制马铃薯块茎形成的信号分子，并了解其运输机制。有人提出，特定RNA的长距离移动作为控制马铃薯生长的信号。这一假设将通过运输实验和研究RNA运动的机制来检验。这个项目将提供一个新的移动的信号机制，协调整个植物的生长有价值的新信息。该项目将通过对参加爱荷华州州立大学生命科学项目的学生进行培训，将研究和教育结合起来。 将有针对性地制定具体方案，将妇女和代表性不足的群体成员纳入拟议的研究。

Mobile RNAs mediate long-distance signaling responsesCo-PIs: David Hannapel and W. Allen MillerSUMMARYPlants use signaling pathways to regulate growth. Light plays an important role in providing outside signals perceived by the plant. Photoperiod is an example of one such external signal that controls processes like flowering and potato tuber formation. During tuber formation, a signal is initiated in the leaves and moves through the plant to activate tuber formation. The nature of this signal is unknown but mobile ribonucleic acids (RNAs) may be involved. The goal of this application is to investigate the developmental role of the long-distance movement of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in relation to day-length. Preliminary evidence implicates two mRNAs that encode transcription factors (proteins that bind to genes to regulate their activity) in this process. These proteins control vegetative growth by affecting plant hormone levels. The objectives of this proposal are to identify signaling molecules that control tuberization in potato and to understand the mechanism of their transport. It is proposed that the long-distance movement of specific RNAs acts as a signal that controls growth in potato. This hypothesis will be tested with transport experiments and by studying the mechanism of RNA movement. This proposed project will provide valuable new information on a novel mobile signaling mechanism for coordinating growth in whole plants. This project will integrate research and education through the training of students participating in programs in the life sciences at Iowa State University. Specific programs will be targeted to include both women and members of under-represented groups in the proposed research.