Mechanism of neocentromere motility and meiotic drive in maize

遗传学的预测能力基于这样一个概念，即所有基因都有相同的机会传给后代。这是孟德尔的第一个种族隔离定律。这个项目的目标是通过研究一个罕见的违反这个基本租户的例外来更好地理解遗传学规则。通过使用玉米作为研究物种，我们可以精确地可视化遗传分离，因为染色体很大，很容易可视化，并且基因的传递可以在玉米穗上的彩色籽粒中看到。在这个项目上接受培训的学生将参加传统的遗传学领域，使用先进的显微镜进行染色体分析，以及控制减数分裂过程的基因的分子测定，减数分裂过程是染色体的分裂和分离。各级科学家，从小型文理学院的本科生到大型研究型大学的研究生和博士后研究员，都将参与这一项目。孟德尔第一定律最著名的例外之一发生在玉米中，这是一种称为异常染色体10（Ab10）的染色体变异。这条染色体通过一种神秘的机制使分离倾向于自己，这种机制涉及在减数分裂期间独立移动的“新着丝粒”的形成。像这样的分离扭曲机制被称为减数分裂驱动。最近的数据表明，一个新的驱动蛋白基因（Kin618）位于Ab10控制新着丝粒和减数分裂驱动在玉米。这项工作的目标是充分表征Kin618，并启动一项更大的研究，以确定其他相关因素。将开发大量新的序列资源，以帮助我们解释这一迷人染色体的起源和进化。这些研究将扩大我们对玉米基因组的了解，并为植物染色体分离机制提供重要的新见解。该奖项由分子和细胞生物科学部的遗传机制集群和综合有机体系统部的植物基因组研究计划共同资助。

The predictive power of genetics rests on the concept that all genes have the same chances of being passed on to offspring. This is Mendel's first Law of Segregation. The goal of this project is to better understand the rules of genetics by studying a rare exception that violates this fundamental tenant. By using maize as the study species, we can visualize genetic segregation with precision, as the chromosomes are large and easily visualized, and the transmission of genes can be seen in the familiar form of colored kernels on an ear of corn. Students trained on this project will participate in traditional field genetics, chromosome analysis using advanced microscopy, and molecular assays of the genes that control the process of meiosis that divides and segregates chromosomes. Scientists at all levels, ranging from undergraduates at a small liberal arts college to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at a major research university will participate in this project. One of the most famous exceptions to Mendel's First Law occurs in maize by a chromosome variant known as Abnormal chromosome 10 (Ab10). This chromosome skews segregation in its favor through a mysterious mechanism that involves the formation of "neocentromeres" that move independently during meiosis. Segregation distortion mechanisms such as this are referred to as meiotic drive. Recent data indicate that a novel kinesin gene (Kin618) located on Ab10 controls neocentromeres and meiotic drive in maize. The goal of this work is to fully characterize Kin618 and to initiate a larger study to identify other factors involved. Extensive new sequence resources will be developed to help us interpret the origin and evolution of this fascinating chromosome. These studies will expand our knowledge of the maize genome and provide important new insights into the mechanism of chromosome segregation in plants.This award is co-funded by the Genetic Mechanisms Cluster in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and the Plant Genome Research Program in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems.