Function and Evolution of Grass B Class Floral Homeotic Proteins

草B级花同源同源蛋白的功能和进化花的器官排列具有与所有开花植物(被子植物)一致的特征。在花发育的早期，一组被称为MADS-box蛋白的相关蛋白质在确定每个轮生的正确器官身份方面发挥了关键作用。例如，雄蕊(雄性生殖结构)和花瓣特征由两个不同的MADS-box蛋白的联合活性控制，这两种蛋白被称为B类蛋白。这两种B类蛋白存在于所有被子植物的谱系中，它们只有在被子植物的某些类群中同时存在时才能发挥作用，而在其他类群中，这些蛋白似乎没有伴侣就能发挥作用。目前还不清楚这些蛋白质在没有伴侣的情况下会起什么作用，也不清楚不同的被子植物群体是如何进化的，从而使它们的B类蛋白质要么单独发挥作用，要么结合在一起发挥作用。这个项目将研究B类蛋白质相互作用在草家族中的功能和进化，该家族具有必须共同作用的B类蛋白质。一个突变的草B类蛋白被破坏，其特征将被描述为了解它在草家族中的功能。B类蛋白将从不同的草类成员和密切相关的草类中分离出来。然后，这些蛋白质将被检测它们单独或与各自的伴侣一起行动的能力，以了解草在什么情况下进化出对双方的需求。将对蛋白质序列进行分析，以寻找可能促进这一进化的自然选择的证据。最终，这项研究将阐明允许这些有趣的蛋白质相互作用进化的准确的蛋白质修饰。该项目将为一名博士后助理、研究生和几名本科生提供培训。此外，当地高中生将参与创建一个新的模块，以调查转基因作物技术的伦理影响。

Clinton WhippleIOS-1025121Function and Evolution of Grass B Class Floral Homeotic ProteinsFlowers have a characteristic arrangement of organs that is consistent throughout all of flowering plants (angiosperms). Early in flower development, a group of related proteins, known as MADS-box proteins, plays a key role in establishing the correct organ identity for each whorl. Stamen (male reproductive structures) and petal identities, for example are controlled by the combined activity of two distinct MADS-box proteins, known as the B class proteins. These two B class proteins, which are found in all angiosperm lineages, have been shown to function only when both are present in some groups of angiosperms, while in other groups the proteins appear to function without a partner. It is not clear what these proteins are doing when they act without a partner, nor is it clear how distinct angiosperm groups evolved so that their B class proteins either function alone or in combination. This project will investigate the function and evolution of B class protein interaction in the grass family, which has B class proteins that must act together. A mutant in which a grass B class protein is disrupted will be characterized to understand its function in the grass family. B class proteins will be isolated from diverse grass members and closely related grasses. These proteins will then be assayed for their ability to act alone or with their respective partners in order to understand the point at which grasses evolved the requirement for both partners. The protein sequences will be assayed for evidence of natural selection that may have facilitated this evolution. Ultimately, the precise protein modifications that allowed the evolution of these interesting protein interactions will be elucidated by this research. The project will provide training for a postdoctoral associate, graduate student and several undergraduates. In addition, local high school student will be involved by creation of a novel module to investigate the ethical implications of transgenic crop technologies.