Transcriptional regulatory networks controlling higher plant embryogenesis

PI：Sharyn Elaine Perry提案编号：IOS-0922845标题：“控制高等植物胚胎发生的转录调控网络”本奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公共法律111-5)资助。在高等植物胚胎发生期间，单细胞受精卵增殖和分化，形成种子内的成熟胚胎。在生命周期的这一阶段，不仅植物身体必须形成(称为形态发生)，而且必须积累贮藏产物以支持幼苗发育的早期阶段，以及允许胚胎经历干燥的程序，以使我们所认识到的种子必须发生的发育“暂停”(称为成熟)。尽管人类依赖种子，但人们对种子及其所含胚胎的发育控制机制知之甚少。已经确定了几个编码蛋白质的基因，这些蛋白质在胚胎发生期间控制基因的表达，当这些蛋白质在胚胎环境之外的植物细胞中积累时，它们可以在这些细胞中驱动胚胎特有的程序。一个这样的基因是FUSCA3(FUS3)，它也是种子正常发育所必需的。这个项目的重点是更好地了解FUS3对基因调控的控制，长期目标是了解胚胎发育过程中的基因调控网络。将使用生化和分子方法来识别由FUS3直接和间接控制的基因。遗传学方法将阐明选定的FUS3靶标在胚胎发育中所起的作用。该项目还将有助于理解FUS3和其他基因之间的相互作用，这些基因是胚胎发育的关键调节基因。胚胎发育过程中基因调控的基础知识对于任何改良种子以应对当前农业挑战的分子方法都是重要的，并可能对产量、营养含量和生存能力等方面产生影响。该项目将为博士后研究员提供培训，包括在教育活动中协助初级研究员的机会。

PI: Sharyn Elaine Perry Proposal number: IOS-0922845Title: "Transcriptional Regulatory Networks Controlling Higher Plant Embryogenesis"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).During higher plant embryogenesis, the single celled zygote proliferates and differentiates to form the mature embryo within the seed. During this phase of the life cycle, not only must the plant body form (called morphogenesis) but also storage products must accumulate to support early stages of seedling development, and programs to allow the embryo to undergo desiccation to give the "pause" in development that we recognize as the seed must occur (called maturation). Despite humans" reliance on seeds, little is understood about the mechanisms controlling development of seeds and the embryos that they contain. Several genes have been identified that encode proteins that control gene expression during embryogenesis, and when these proteins accumulate in plant cells outside of the context of the embryo, they can drive embryo-specific programs in these cells. One such gene is FUSCA3 (FUS3) that is also necessary for normal seed development. This project focuses on better understanding control of gene regulation by FUS3 with the long-term goal of understanding gene regulatory networks during embryogenesis. Biochemical and molecular approaches will be used to identify genes directly and indirectly controlled by FUS3. Genetic approaches will elucidate the roles select FUS3 targets play in embryogenesis. The project will also contribute to an understanding of interactions between FUS3 and other genes that are key regulators of embryo development. Basic knowledge about gene regulation during embryo development is important for any molecular approaches to improving seeds to meet current challenges in agriculture and could impact on aspects including yield, nutritional content, and viability. The project will provide training for a postdoctoral researcher including opportunities to assist the primary investigator in educational activities.