A Two Component Activator/Dissociation Platform for Reverse and Forward Genetic Analysis in Maize

基因组测序项目为理解单子叶植物（水稻）和双子叶植物（拟南芥）物种提供了蓝图，但只有不到10%的测序植物基因的功能已经通过实验确定。 玉米是美国最重要的经济作物，也是世界上的主要作物。了解玉米的基因功能对于制定一个全面的框架来提高这一全球粮食、饲料和能源资源的生产力至关重要。 转座因子激活因子（Ac）和解离因子（Ds）将被用于创建一个平台，用于在基于植物表型或DNA序列的遗传筛选中鉴定基因敲除。 使用经典的遗传技术和非转基因材料，我们将产生一个10,000个家庭的集合，每个家庭都有一个独特的Ds插入均匀分布在整个基因组。 将克隆和测序Ds元件侧翼的DNA序列，为玉米基因组中的每个插入提供精确的物理位置。 由于Ds倾向于移动到基因组中紧密相连的位点，每个Ds将作为一个平台，用于额外的几轮诱变，靶向连接的genes.Access项目outcomesThis项目将与正在进行的玉米基因组测序项目和数据传播，因为它是通过两个项目网站在爱荷华州州立大学和博伊斯汤普森研究所。 所有产生的遗传材料将在项目期间由Brutnell实验室分发，并在项目结束时在玉米遗传合作储备中心免费提供。

Genome sequencing projects have provided blueprints to understanding both monocot (rice) and dicot (Arabidopsis) species, yet the function of less than 10% of sequenced plant genes has been experimentally determined. Maize is the economically most important plant in the US and a major crop world-wide. An understanding of maize gene function is essential to develop a comprehensive framework for increasing the productivity of this global food, feed and energy resource. The transposable elements Activator (Ac) and Dissociation (Ds) will be utilized to create a platform for identifying gene knockouts in genetic screens based on plant phenotype or DNA sequence. Using classical genetic techniques and non-transgenic materials we will generate a collection of 10,000 families that each harbor a unique Ds insertion distributed evenly throughout the genome. DNA Sequences flanking the Ds elements will be cloned and sequenced providing a precise physical location for each insertion in the maize genome. As Ds tends to move to closely linked site sites in the genome, each Ds will serve as a platform for additional rounds of mutagenesis targeting linked genes.Access to project outcomesThis project will be integrated with ongoing maize genome sequencing projects and the data disseminated as it is generated through two project websites at Iowa State University and the Boyce Thompson Institute. All genetic materials generated will be distributed by the Brutnell lab during the project period and made freely available at the Maize Genetics Cooperative Stock Center at the end of the project period.