Cause and Consequences of Maize Neocentromere Activity

智力优势：染色体是遗传信息的包装单位，除非它们与微管纺锤体相互作用，否则不能代代相传。正常情况下，着丝粒（染色体的收缩区域）与纺锤体结合。这使得纺锤体能够将成对的染色体分开，这样在减数分裂过程中，每条染色体的一个拷贝最终进入新的子细胞。这个项目将研究新中心粒，这是一个特殊的染色体区域，可以用来研究染色体如何与纺锤体相互作用。在玉米中，新中心体可以极大地改变基因遗传。本研究的目的之一将集中在调控天然新着丝粒活性的玉米异常10号染色体上。调节新中心粒的基因将通过结合现代测序方法进行鉴定。第二个目标将集中在被添加到染色体臂上不同位置的长排列的结合位点上。已知的基于微管的运动蛋白（称为运动蛋白）将被拴在结合位点上，导致阵列与微管相互作用。这个新系统将使更好地理解新中心粒如何改变基因遗传成为可能。这两种方法都解决了遗传学中的基本问题，并将促进通过转基因方法改善作物的新方法的发展。更广泛的影响：玉米是一种经典的美国作物，自然地吸引了所有年龄段的学生。为了扩大研究的影响，该项目包括在一所服务于农村农业社区的小型大学（肯塔基卫斯理学院）进行旅行和学生培训。活动包括伊夫林·希亚特教授和三名本科生为期三年的暑期培训。访问的本科生将接受实验室培训和实地经验，以及在主要研究型大学的研究环境中进行接触。项目中使用的工具和方法将作为改进KWC课程和培训的基础。

Intellectual Merit:Chromosomes, the packaging units for genetic information, cannot be transmitted from generation to generation unless they interact with microtubule-based spindles. Normally, the centromere (constricted region of a chromosome) binds to the spindles. This allows the spindles to pull pairs of chromosomes apart, so that one copy of each chromosome ends up in the new, daughter cell during meiosis. This project will investigate neocentromeres, which are specialized chromosomal regions that can be used to study how chromosomes interact with spindles. In maize, neocentromeres can dramatically change genetic inheritance. One aim of this work will focus on the maize abnormal chromosome 10 that regulates natural neocentromere activity. Genes that regulate neocentromeres will be identified using a combination of modern sequencing methods. The second aim will focus on long arrays of binding sites that have been added to different positions on chromosomes arms. Known microtubule-based motor proteins (known as kinesins) will be tethered to the binding sites, causing the arrays to interact with microtubules. This novel system will make it possible to better understand how neocentromeres alter genetic inheritance. Both approaches address fundamental questions in genetics and will facilitate the development of new methods for improving crops by transgenic methods.Broader Impacts:Maize is a classic American crop that naturally appeals to students of all ages. To broaden the impact of the research, the project includes travel and student training at a small university [Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC)] that serves a rural farming community. Activities will include summer training for Professor Evelyn Hiatt and three undergraduates over a three-year period. Visiting undergraduate students will receive in-lab training and field experience, as well as exposure to a research setting in a major research university. The tools and methodologies used during the project will serve as a basis to improve coursework and training at KWC.