KN1 AND MAIZE FLORAL DEVELOPMENT

我研究的长期目标是了解 玉米的花发育 一个具体的目标是阐明功能 kn 1同源盒基因在花发育中的作用。 为此，我将 分析功能缺失的kn 1-等位基因之间的双突变体组合 和现有的花的突变。 kn 1与克隆花的相互作用 基因将通过这些基因产物的原位定位来确定， kn 1隐性突变体。 与kn 1相互作用的基因也将被 通过筛选隐性kn 1- R1等位基因。 了解kn 1的调节和功能， 同源异型盒基因在其他系统中的功能的线索。 定义 kn 1的下游靶点可能被证明是有价值的，因为kn 1的同源结构域是 类似于人类催乳素基因， 前B细胞白血病 作为我长期目标的一部分， 将通过筛选获得花发育所需的 携带Mutator转座子的玉米群体中的花突变。 这些基因的预测功能将通过分析 单突变体表型和双突变体表型 花的变异 因为新的突变是在转座子中获得的 克隆该基因的可能性很大， 确定野生型基因产物。

The long-term objective of my research is to understand the regulation of floral development in maize. A specific goal is to elucidate the function of the kn1 homeobox gene in floral development. To this end, I will analyze double mutant combinations between loss of function kn1-alleles and existing floral mutations. Interactions between kn1 and cloned floral genes will be determined by in situ localization of these gene products in kn1 recessive mutant plants. Genes that interact with kn1 will also be identified by screening for suppressers/enhancers of a recessive kn1- R1allele. Understanding the regulation and function of kn1 may provide clues as to the function of homeobox gene in other systems. Defining the downstream targets of kn1 may prove valuable as the homeodomain of KN1 is similar to that of the human PRL gene which has been implicated in causing pre-B cell leukemia. As part of my long-term goal, additional genes that are required for floral development will be obtained by screening for floral mutations among maize populations carrying the Mutator transposon. The predicted functions of these genes will be determined by analyzing the single mutant phenotypes and double mutant phenotypes with existing maize floral mutations. Because the new mutations are obtained in transposon lines, there is a strong probability of cloning the gene and thereby determining the wild type gene product.