Analysis of novel components promoting asymmetric division in maize

植物和动物是由许多类型的细胞组成的，这些细胞类型中的每一种都有专门的作用，所以它们共同构成了一个功能强大、效率高的有机体。多细胞生物中的每个细胞都必须有正确的图案；也就是说，每个单元必须放置在与其相邻单元相对的正确位置。决定细胞位置的过程是不对称的细胞分裂。本文以玉米为研究对象，探讨了植物细胞不对称分裂的机制。将研究特定蛋白在不对称分裂中的作用，包括运动蛋白（肌球蛋白）和未知蛋白家族。此外，还发现了不能正确进行不对称分裂的新突变体。这些新的突变体将用于识别对这一过程重要的新蛋白质，以及本科遗传学培训计划。该项目的更广泛影响包括一个旨在培训图像分析研究人员的显微镜讲习班。不对称细胞分裂与细胞命运决定和组织模式有关，对植物的正常发育和功能至关重要。不对称分裂发生在细胞极化、分裂面建立和维持、细胞质分裂三个阶段。玉米气孔发育为研究植物细胞不对称分裂提供了良好的模型系统。研究新分子促进分裂不对称的功能作用。已知或预测与肌动蛋白细胞骨架相互作用的候选蛋白将是主要焦点。这一重点将有助于确定该途径中的蛋白质如何与细胞骨架沟通，以协调复杂的不对称分裂过程。目的1将确定XI类肌球蛋白在不对称分裂中的作用。这种肌凝蛋白的突变体在气孔中表现出异常的不对称分裂。目的2将确定一个未知蛋白家族在不对称分裂中的作用。这些蛋白与一种受体样蛋白（PAN2）相互作用，这种蛋白先前被证明是气孔不对称分裂所必需的，Crispr-Cas9产生的敲除这些突变体会显示异常分裂。目标3需要通过增强子筛选分离的新突变体进行重新测试和定位。通过下一代测序进行重测、分离分析和绘图将用于培养本科研究人员。该项目的更广泛影响包括一个旨在培训图像分析研究人员的显微镜讲习班。本研究由IOS、MCB和ROL风险基金共同支持。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Plants and animals are composed of many cell types, and each of these cell types have specialized roles so that together they make a functional and efficient organism. Each cell within a multi-cellular organism must be patterned correctly; that is, each cell must be placed in the correct place with respect to its neighboring cells. The process that determines cell placement is asymmetric cell division. This proposal addresses the mechanism of asymmetric cell division in plants, using maize (corn) as a plant model system. The roles of specific proteins during asymmetric division will be investigated, including a motor protein (myosin) and a family of unknown proteins. Additionally, new mutants that fail to correctly carry out asymmetric division have been identified. These new mutants will be used to identify novel proteins important for this process, as well as an undergraduate genetics training program. Broader impacts for the project include a microscopy workshop aimed at training researchers in image analysis. Asymmetric cell division is tied to cell fate determination and tissue patterning, and is critical for proper plant development and function. Asymmetric division occurs in three steps: cell polarization, division plane establishment and maintenance, and cytokinesis. Maize stomatal development provides an excellent model system for investigating plant cell asymmetric division. The functional roles of new molecules promoting division asymmetry will be investigated. Candidates that are known or predicted to interact with the actin cytoskeleton will be a primary focus. This focus will help determine how proteins in the pathway communicate with the cytoskeleton to orchestrate the complex process of asymmetric division. Objective 1 will determine the role of a class XI myosin in asymmetric division. Mutants in this myosin show abnormal asymmetric division in the stomata. Objective 2 will determine the role of a family of unknown proteins in asymmetric division. These proteins interact with a receptor-like protein (PAN2) previously shown to be required for asymmetric division in stomata, and Crispr-Cas9 generated knockouts of these mutants show aberrant divisions. Objective 3 entails the retesting and mapping via of novel mutants isolated via an enhancer screen. Retesting, segregation analyses and mapping via next generation sequencing will be used for training of undergraduate researchers. Broader impacts for the project include a microscopy workshop aimed at training researchers in image analysis.This research is jointly supported by IOS, MCB and the ROL venture fund.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.